Zac here is some history of that battalion in Africa. When they left they were part of 78th Div (number 51 in the plate) Later to become part of West riding Div I think there must be a mistake in the write up as that is 49th Div, the Polar Bear (number 46 in the plate)
Ron
The 2nd Battalion was also a Regular Army battalion that started the war in Aldershot, in Hampshire, England.[24] In September 1939 the 2nd Battalion moved to Cherbourg in France with the 1st Guards Brigade, alongside the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards and 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, attached to 1st Infantry Division. It then moved to Sille-le-Guillaume, and from there 250 miles north to take its allocated place on the "Gort Line", which it reached on 3 October. Later that month the Battalion moved to the Belgian/French border and in February 1940 the Battalion spent three weeks on the Maginot Line before returning to Metz.[25]
The Battalion crossed into Belgium in response to the German invasion of Belgium, and by 14 May was digging into a defensive position. However, an attack never came, but the Dutch and the French Ninth Army were retreating, so on 16 May the 1st Division was ordered to retreat. A slow retreat then commenced, ending atDunkirk. The Battalion began to be embarked from Dunkirk for the United Kingdom (some were evacuated on 2 June). The battalion managed to carry away 100% of their small-arms, mortars and anti-tank rifles. They were congratulated by the Minister for War, Mr Anthony Eden. The battalion then spent two years on home defence, training and preparing for a German invasion which never arrived.[26]
In November 1942 the Battalion, Hampshire Regiment sailed for North Africa, taking part in Operation Torch with the 1st Guards Brigade, which was now part of the78th Infantry Division. They disembarked at Algiers on 21 November and joined the British First Army. Later that month the Battalion moved to Tebourba.[27] The following day the 2nd Battalion were attacked by heavy shelling, and on 1 December the Battalion was attacked by a force four times its size, that was able to outflank it and rake it with enfilading fire. This was the start of three days of fierce close combat, fought at close quarters and featuring bayonet charges and counter-charges. The battalion was forced back a mile and a half, and on 3 December Major Wallace Le Patourel was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry in leading counter-attacks against the enemy. After three days the Battalion retreated through Tebourba, only to find all other troops had been withdrawn and the road behind them was cut. The battalion broke into small groups and attempted to break through to allied lines, reuniting at Medjez-el-Bab; many, including theCommanding Officer, were captured. The Battalion started the battle with 689 men; after the battle it was down to 194 men. The battalion was withdrawn from the line and in December, nine officers and 260 other ranks joined the 2nd Battalion.[28] After the fall of Tunis on 13 May 1943 the 2nd Battalion joined the 128th (Hampshire) Brigade attached to 46th (West Riding) Infantry Division.
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com