20 Anti-Tank Regiment RA

20 Anti-Tank Regiment RA was formed in November 1938 by conversion of 20 Field Brigade RA with four batteries. It served the entire war with 3 Infantry Division. After fighting with the BEF in France in 1940 it than trained at home until D-Day in 1944. In April 1947 20 Anti-Tank Regiment RA was converted to 57 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA.

Illustrations of the formation badges under which a unit served or supported are given. This is no guarantee that the unit used this formations badge.

3 Sep 39 5 Infantry Division 20 Anti-Tank Regiment RA 5 Infantry Division
Attached 3 Infantry Division
Catterick, Yorkshire, UK
Sep 39 3 Infantry Division early 20 Anti-Tank Regiment RA 3 Infantry Division France
Jun 40 3 Infantry Division late 3 Infantry Division Lockerbie, Dumfries, UK
6 Jun 44 3 Infantry Division late 3 Infantry Division Normandy, France
1944 3 Infantry Division late 3 Infantry Division Kervenheim, Germany
Feb 45 3 Infantry Division late 3 Infantry Division The Rhine, Germany

 

Batteries

Nov 38 41, 45, 67, 99
Jul 41 41, 45, 67, 99, 101
Sep 41 41, 67, 99, 101
Jun 42 41, 67, 101
Jun 43 41, 45, 67, 101

 

Equipment

1939 Light Dragon Mk 2
1944 M10 3 inch Self Propelled
Jan 45 Change over to Archers began
1 Feb 45

9 x 17pdr Self Propelled Archer, 36 x 6 pdr, 4 x M10 3 inch Self Propelled, 3 x Crusader AA (Polsten) “Chargers”

Mar 45 18 x 17pdr towed, 18 x 17pdr Self Propelled Archer, 7 x 75mm & 4 x 6 pdr Valentine “Chargers”

 

“Chargers” were gun armed tanks for officers as battlefield transport. OP tanks had a dummy gun and were used for observation and fire control.

 

 

The Royal Artillery 1939-45