or an immediate replacement in the event of losses. In truth the Recce Troop were only nominally under HQ Squadron, & could be slotted almost anywhere. Doing direct recce on their own, seconded under a squadron or odd jobs etc. Just had to integrate them to wireless net. /9
There was also the opportunity, in rather curious circumstances, to make them step up and act as a 4th mini-Sqn. And, like, hopefully encounter nothing much larger than an armoured car really... /10
*Bare in mind that, like all of British Second Army employment can vary corps to corps, division to division and regiment to regiment* /11
Normandy came to highlight that Stuart probably wasn't the best choice for a bespoke, discreet platform from which to observe and report the location enemy anti-tank guns and tanks. A much juicier target than say an AOP Carrier. It was rather big. /12
They also couldn't sustain a hit like an AOP Sherman could, which was only a bit bulkier all things considered. So you've got a big metal box which is about as discreet as a fox on heat, but lacking all the carrier's agility and inconspicuousness. Ah. /13
Many Stuarts sustained damage early on, whether from bombardment or enemy action, which saw a steady but undeniably patchy trend to remove the turret and 'Jalopy' them into turret-less recce AFVs. Essentially a chonky carrier. The loss of the 37mm wasn't that big a deal. /14
Engagements where Stuarts became casualties early on tend to be punishing, not least as armoured and tank squadrons relied on the recce troop to be watching out for them and closely liaising targets and supporting fire with attached FOOs. /15
Wireless nets were finicky and comms could be patchy, it appears many more squadron commanders assumed the recce troop were on the job when they'd often be ineffective. Serving in the recce troop was an undeniably shit assignment, high stress, high risk, low reward. /16
That said, they provided regiments with an additional useful asset to support infantry when needed - as their two .30 Brownings are two more machine guns in a nice armoured box, and their 37mm 'pop gun' proved useful in eliminating small MGs or clearing buildings. /17
Like all tanks, Stuarts tended to drain the enemy's willingness to scrap & greatly incentivise buggering off. Trials of canister shot proved encouraging for clearing hedgerows & ther defences, turned the 37mm into a mega-shotgun. Nasty. /18 *Yes a Stuart is here...
Here, Hugh Buckley talks about his experience of Stuart light tanks in the Sherbrooke Fusiliers, part of 2 Canadian Armoured Brigade. /19 x.com/junobeachcentr…
Here, Hugh Buckley talks about his experience of Stuart light tanks in the Sherbrooke Fusiliers, part of 2 Canadian Armoured Brigade. /19 x.com/junobeachcentr…
Recce Troops found themselves used for all sorts in addition to their key recce role, carry infantry forward, dashing to exploit success, liaison vehicles, anti-tank gun tows... You name it, they probably did it. A bit of a tank sized Swiss army knife. /20