The North Africa Campaign [ Content Tag Results ]
Below is a list of the history pages, personal accounts, extracts and photos that have been tagged with a reference to 'North Africa'...
Tag references
Divided into content type :
2. [ history ]
Reformation
1940 - 1942
After St. Valery, the remainder of the 51st Highland Division joined the 9th Highland Division, a territorial 2nd line duplicate of the 51HD (amongst other smaller Battalions) to form the new 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. This reformed division had the following orders of Battle...
3. [ history ]
Arrival in Egypt
Aug 1942
In June 1942 the 51st Highland Division moved by train to a variety of ports, and embarked for an unknown destination. They moved around Africa leaving Durban on the 16th July and disembarked on 14th August 1942 at the entrance to the Suez Canal at Port Tewfik...
4. [ history ]
North Africa
Aug 1942 - May 1943
After St. Valery, what remained of the 51st Highland Division joined the 9th Highland Division to form the new 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. The reformed Division took on a home defense role between 1940 - 1942 when it set sail for Egypt and the North Africa Campaign.
5. [ history ]
Battle of El Alamein
Oct 1942
Montgomery was determined to attack the enemy using his infantry to create a gap and then push the armour through the gap created. The area for this was not the weaker sector in the south but the stronger part of the enemy position in the North. 30 Corps were to execute this attaching on a frontage four divisions wide...
6. [ history ]
In Pursuit
Nov 1942 - Jan 1943
After El Alamein the 51st Highland Division were in pursuit of Rommel and the retreating forces from Tubruk to Misurata
7. [ history ]
Tripoli
Jan 1943
The 51st Highland Division moved along the cost with the New Zealand Division and 7th Armoured Division carrying out a flanking attack. Failure to succeed in occupying Tripoli would cause Montgomery to have to fall back...
8. [ history ]
Medenine
Mar 1943
Rommel's next defensive line after retreating from Tripoli was close to Medenine, a narrow point between the coast and the Matmata hills.
9. [ history ]
The Mareth Line
March 1943
The Mareth line was formed at the narrow point between the coast and the Matmata hills. The plan was to smash the Mareth defensive lines through the Matmata Hills into the Gabes Gap, which would later be the area of the battle of Wadi Akarit.
10. [ history ]
Wadi Akarit
Apr 1943
The battle of Wadi Akarit took place in a narrow coastline strip between the sea and the coastal towns of Gabes and El Hamma. Between these was the Gabes gap. The Wadi Akarit ran across the gap at the coastal end and to the Roumana Ridge inland and to the west. This area was the objective for the 51st Highland Division...
11. [ history ]
Concluding Operations
Apr 1943
In the wake of the Wadi Akarit battle the 8th Army took up the pursuit...
12. [ history ]
Prep. for Op. Huskey
July 1943
After the North Africa Campaign the 51st Highland Division prepared for Operation Huskey, July 1943
13. [ history ]
Major General Wimberley
Departure from 51HD
Major General Wimberley, affectionately know as "Tartan Tam" for his determination that the Division would wear the kilt, had commanded the Division from its England through North Africa and Sicily. On his departure he published the following farewell messages to his Jocks...
1. [ account ]
Brigadier James Oliver
A short biography from 'The Red Hackle'
Brigadier James Oliver : A short biography - an extract from 'The Red Hackle' - the Regimental magazine of The Black Watch.
2. [ account ]
El Alamein - A Gunner's View
Personal Account By Captain J T Lang
Captain John Lang served with 128th (H) Field Battery RA (TA). He was at El Alamein and this is his personal account.
3. [ account ]
Notes on Battle of El Alamein
North Africa, 1942
Detailed notes on the Battle of El Alamein from the 7th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. (North Africa, October, 1942)
4. [ extract ]
5th Camerons Company Piper, Donald Macpherson at El Alamein
October 42
Extracts taken from The Queen's Own Highlander magazine issue commemorating the 50th Anniversary of El Alamein. The extract describes the use of the Camerons' Company Piper to alert the charging Black Watch of their position.
5. [ account ]
Major (tmp. Lt. Col.) James Oliver : DSO Citation
October 1942, North Africa
Citation for the first of two DSO awarded to Major (temporary Lieutenant Colonel) James Alexander Oliver MBE of the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment). This first DSO is in recognition of his 'outstanding example' in the attack on the Miteriya Ridge on the night 23/24 October, 1942
6. [ account ]
51st (H) Recce. Reg. at El Alamein
24th October 1942
An account of the bloody shelling at El Alamein on the 24th October 1942 from the 51st (Highland) Reconnaisance Regiment; an extract from 'A Brief History of 51st (H) Reconnaissance Regiment (1941 -1943) and its Involvement in the Desert Campaign', produced as a pamphlet in 1991
7. [ account ]
Operation Supercharge
El Alamein, North Africa, October 1942
A Description of Operation Supercharge, El Alamein, North Africa, October 1942.
8. [ account ]
7th Argylls at Wadi Akarit
Account of the Battle by Captain Cameron
Description of the The Battle of Wadi Akarit, taken from "The History of the 7th Argylls" by Captain Ian C Cameron
9. [ account ]
Accounts 61st Anti-Tank Reg. at Wadi Akarit
April 1943
Two personal accounts of the 61st Anti-Tank Regiment at Wadi Akarit (April 1943), reproduced here by kind permission of B. S. Barnes, author of "Operation Scipio - The 8th Army at the Battle of Wadi Akarit".
10. [ account ]
Defense of Point 198
6th April 1943
An account of the defense of Point 198 at Wadi Akarit on 6th April 1943. This account is taken from "OPERATION SCIPIO - THE 8TH ARMY AT THE BATTLE OF THE WADI AKARIT" by kind permission of the author B. S. Barnes.
11. [ account ]
MAJOR ANDREWS, 5TH SEAFORTH, WADI AKARIT
6th April 1943
An account of the operation to take a ridge called Djebel Roumana at Wadi Akarit on 6th April 1943. This account is taken from "OPERATION SCIPIO - THE 8TH ARMY AT THE BATTLE OF THE WADI AKARIT" by kind permission of the author B. S. Barnes.
12. [ account ]
Medic's View of Wadi Akarit
6th April 1943
An account from a Medic of the fighting at Wadi Akarit on 6th April 1943. This account is taken from "OPERATION SCIPIO - THE 8TH ARMY AT THE BATTLE OF THE WADI AKARIT" by kind permission of the author B. S. Barnes.
13. [ account ]
Gunner Trigg
61st Anti-Tank Reg, North Africa, 1943
A set of photos of Gunner "Bob" Trigg, 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, North Africa 1943.
14. [ extract ]
Lt.-Col. Lorne Campbell VC Citation
8th June 1943
The citation of Lt. Col. Lorne Campbell, VC, as published in the London Gazette, 8th June 1943.
15. [ account ]
154 Brigade - Sicily Landing
Sicily, July 1943
Account of the Sicily landing, July 1943.
16. [ account ]
PIOBAIREACHD
51st Highland Division Newsletter
PIOBAIREACHD was the name given to the 51st Highland Division newsletter which was produced from 14 June 1944.
17. [ account ]
154 Brigade - Final Brigade Operations
1st - 5th May 1945
154 Brigade account - 1st May 1945 to 5th May 1945.
1. [ photo ]
242 Battery "G" Troop
Before North Africa, 1942
Paul Witty, who's Father (Jim Witty) served in North Africa and Sicily with the 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, very kindly sent us a disc of scanned photographs of his Father's, taken during various periods of his service. Jim Witty is marked as 2nd row, 3rd from left.
2. [ photo ]
51st Reconnaissance Regiment
June 1942
Richard Sands, who's Father (Sgt George Sands MM) served with the 51st, kindly sent us a scan of a photograph his Father had of the Sergeants and Warrant Officers of the 51st (H) Reconnaissance Regiment, taken in June of 1942 before their departure to Egypt where they would join the 8th Army in preparation for the battle of El Alamein.
Sgt George Sands served with both 2nd and 5th battalions. Sailing to North Africa, January 1942, as reinforcements/replacements for 2nd battalion at Tobruk. Before he had finished acclimatisation, Tobruk had fallen and 2nd battalion went into captivity. He fought for a few months with 4th Indian Div. He then joined 5th battalion when they arrived in Egypt some 6months later. He fought with 5th battalion from Alamein to Bremen.
3. [ photo ]
7 Black Watch Flag
North Africa Campaign, 1942-43
7th Black Watch flag flown during the North Africa campaign, 1942-43. Part of the collection on display at the Black Watch Musuem, Perth. The flag carries the tactical identification number of the Battalion together with the formation badge of the 51st Highland Division.
4. [ photo ]
7th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Men of the 7th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders on the march
5. [ photo ]
Colonel John Sym DSO
North Africa c. 42/43
Colonel John Sym DSO was 21C of 2nd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders and then Brigade Major of 152 Brigade during El Alamein. His book, "Seaforth Highlanders" by Colonel John Sym (editor) was Published by Gale & Polden Ltd, Aldershot (1962) and can still be obtained from second hand book sites.
6. [ photo ]
Field Marshal Montgomery
51st Highland Division was under the command of Field Marshal Montgomery from August 1942.
7. [ photo ]
492 Field Battery, Alamein to Messina
Sketch Map, Alamein to Messina
Hand drawn sketch map showing movements of 492 (H) Field Battery (128th Field Regiment) during the North Africa Campaign. Includes annotation detailing firing, not-firing and rest positions.
8. [ photo ]
Black Watch Soldiers Painting Insignia
Privates James Bruce and Alex McMichell living up to the nickname of the "Highway Decorators". This nickname given to the division by other divisions who became used to discovering the "HD" insignia painted wherever the Highlanders had passed through.
9. [ photo ]
Hugh Robertson MC Clipping
This newspaper clipping was kept by Hugh Robertson's Mother. Linda McLean (Hugh's Daughter) recalls that she kept it as Hugh had not believed that he had been awarded the M.C. and thought she had become confused whilst he was overseas.
The date of print and original publication are unknown.
11. [ photo ]
Route of North Africa Operations
1942-1943
Diagram depicting the route of the North African campaign.
12. [ photo ]
Piper MacDonald, Western Desert
Western Desert, 23 September 1942
Caption reads "Piper MacDonald of the Seaforth Highlanders plays to some of the troops who make up the Highland Division while they rest during a march in the Western Desert, 23 September 1942."
Taken by Sgt.Martin 23.9.42.
With kind permission of the IWM.
13. [ photo ]
Diagram El Alamein Operations
October 1942, North Africa
Diagram of the area of operations of 152 Brigade at El Alamein, North Africa, October 1942.
14. [ photo ]
25lb Gun Firing, El Alamein
23rd October 1942
A 25 pound gun firing during artillery barrage which signalled the beginning of the 2nd Battle of El Alamein, 23rd October 1942.
15. [ photo ]
4.5 inch gun, El Alamein
North Africa, 1942
4.5 inch field gun firing at night at El Alamein
16. [ photo ]
taking tank at El Alamein
A Soldier of the 51st Highland Division charging a tank during the Battle of El Alamein.
17. [ photo ]
5th Black Watch - Battle of Hons
January 1943
A group half an hour after the Battle of Hons, January 1943.
18. [ photo ]
Gordon Highlanders March into Tunisia
North Africa
Gordon Highlanders of the Eighth Army cross the border into Tunisia.
19. [ photo ]
Simon Ramsay's Labour Squad
January 1943
7th Black Watch : Simon Ramsay's labour squad preparing bypass to blown bridge near Leptis Magna on the way to Hons
20. [ photo ]
7th Black Watch - Victory Parade, Tripoli
7th Black Watch
Victory parade by 7th Black Watch after Tripoli was captured on the morning of 23rd january 1943.
21. [ photo ]
Major General Wimberley MC, GOC 51st HD
1943
Major General Wimberley, MC, GOC of the 51st Highland Division discusses a point on the map with one of his officers at Divisional Headquarters.
22. [ photo ]
Anti-Tank Ditch Nr. Mareth
March 1943
5th Seaforth in the anti-tank ditch near Mareth.
23. [ photo ]
5th Black Watch Briefing
Gabes, Tunisia, April 1943
Major John Mcgregor briefs B Coy of the 5th Black Watch at Gabes, Tunisia, April 1943.
24. [ photo ]
Diagram of Battle of Wadi Akarit
April 1943
Diagram of the Battle of Wadi Akarit, from "The History of the 51st Highland Division" by J B Salmond
25. [ photo ]
Moving into Position, Wadi Akarit
Wadi Akarit, April 1943
Men of the Seaforth Highlanders moving into position at Wadi Akarit., April 1943
26. [ photo ]
7th Argylls Cleaning Weapons
April 1943
7th Argyll Soldiers of the 7th Bn cleaning their weapons in a lull in the fighting of the Battle of Tunis
27. [ photo ]
61st Anti-Tank Reg, North Africa
North Africa
Group photo of 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, sent to us by Mr. A.Trigg the Son of Gunner "Bob" Trigg who can be found on the back row, second from the left. It is presumed to have been taken in North Africa sometime in May/June/July 1943, prior to embarkation to Sicily in July '43.
28. [ photo ]
Bob Trigg with Crew, North Africa
61st Anti-Tank Reg, North Africa
Bob Trigg (far left) is pictured on his gun with his crew, presumed to be in North Africa sometime in May/June/July 1943, prior to embarkation to Sicily in July '43.
30. [ photo ]
Desert Dugout
61st Anti-Tank Reg, North Africa
Bob Trigg, second from the right, outside a desert dugout.
31. [ photo ]
Gunner Bob Trigg
61 Anti-Tank Reg, North Africa
Photo of Gunner Bob Trigg in North Africa.
32. [ photo ]
242 Battery "G" Troop, Sicily
Sicily, July 1943
Paul Witty, who's Father (Jim Witty) served in North Africa and Sicily with the 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, very kindly sent us a disc of scanned photographs of his Father's, taken during various periods of his service.
33. [ photo ]
Greasing the wheels
61st Anti-Tank Reg, 1943
Greasing the wheels - preparation prior to embarkation for Sicily.
34. [ photo ]
5th Seaforth at Sousse
5th July 1943
Men of 5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders arrive at Sousse Harbour prior to embarkation to Sicily and the start of Operation Huskey.
35. [ photo ]
Memorial Plaque, Nairn Old Parish Church
51st (H) Recce Reg
The Plaque and Roll of Honour in Nairn Old Parish Church.
The inscription reads "To the glory of God and to the memory of the men of the 51st (Highland) Reconnaissance Regiment who fell at the Battle of El Alamein October 1942 and who worshipped in this church the previous winter"
The plaque was unveiled by Gen Wimberley, GOC 51st Highland Division from mid 1941 and throughout the Desert Campaign, during a Service of Remembrance held on Sunday 9th April 1950 (Easter Sunday). The service was conducted by the Padre Rev Thos. W. Topping and the Minister, Rev Donald M McDonald, 25 old comrades and relatives attending.