205 (3rd Durham Volunteer Artillery) Battery Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
Encyclopedia
205 is part of the 101st (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
and is equipped with the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System
. They are based in South Shields
, United Kingdom.
The Battery can trace its history back to the formation of the 3rd Durham Volunteer Artillery in 1860. Its history exemplifies the single Battle Honour of the Royal Artillery
"Ubique" (Everywhere), serving in the major battles of both world wars.
In recent times Battery members have served on active service in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
On the formation of the Territorial Army in 1908, the 3rd Durham RGA re-rolled as Royal Field Artillery and designated as the 4th Durham Battery of the 4th Northumbrian (County of Durham) Howitzer Brigade RFA (T).
. A reorganisation of Field brigades in 1916 saw the 4th Durham Battery transferred to 250 (Northumbrian Brigade) as D/250 Battery, the 5th Durhams going to 251 Brigade, D/251 Battery. The units would go on to take part in the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Arras (1917)
, Battle of Passchendaele before the final battles of 1918.
In 1941 they embarked with the 8th Army for the Middle East Theatre of World War II
. Initially they took part in the Jock column
actions to harass the enemy. Supporting 151 (DLI) Brigade they were engaged in the Battle of Gazala
, breaking out to avoid capture through Mersa Matruh, though suffering many casualties . Following re-fitting and re-equipment the Regiment was engaged in the Second Battle of El Alamein
followed by the assault on the Mareth Line
. Joining the Italian Campaign (World War II)
they landed in the Allied invasion of Sicily
where they were engaged in the battle of Primosole Bridge (Operation Fustian
)and the barrage across the Straits of Messina for the invasion of Italy.
The Regiments next major action was D-Day
and the Invasion of Normandy, landing on Gold Beach
with the 50th Northumbrian (Infantry) Division. They were subsequently involved in the Normandy Battle to breakout in Operation Perch
. Later service through North West Europe saw the Regiment involved in the liberation of Brussels and the battle of the Gheil bridgehead on the Albert Canal. In September 1944 they formed part of Operation Market Garden
. When the rest of the 50th Division returned to England, in November 1944, 74 Regiment was attached to 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division being engaged on the Grebbe line. Following the German surrender in May 1945 the Regiment remained in the Army of Occupation returning to South Shields in 1946.
The 74th (Northumbrian) Field Regiment fought with distinction in some of the most decisive battles of the Second World winning 3 DSOs, 7 MCs
, 8 MMs
125 (Northumbrian) Field Regiment re-roled as 125 Anti-Tank Regiment in 1940. It deployed to the Far East and was captured in 1942. Many of the Regiment became Far East Prisoners of War.
Initially equipped with the BL 5.5 inch Medium Gun
, they converted to 105mm Light Gun in 1980 and to FH-70
in 1991. The Battery was the last to fire 101 Regiment's guns during the prestigious Queens Cup which they won for the second year running. The Battery therefore concluded 137 years service on the guns of the Royal Artillery as the premier Gun Battery in the Territorial Army. The following year, in 1997, 205 Battery converted to a missile Battery equipped with M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System
and became the first TA Battery to fire that weapon system.
101st (Northumbrian) Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
101st Regiment Royal Artillery are a M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System and Surveillance and Target Acquisition regiment of the Territorial Army with sub units throughout Northumbria. It is the only unit of the Territorial Army equipped with MLRS.The Regiment's role is to provide...
and is equipped with the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System
M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System
The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System is an armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher; a type of rocket artillery.Since the first M270s were delivered to the U.S. Army in 1983, the MLRS has been adopted by several NATO countries. Some 1,300 M270 systems have been manufactured in the...
. They are based in South Shields
South Shields
South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne to Tyne Dock, and about downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne...
, United Kingdom.
The Battery can trace its history back to the formation of the 3rd Durham Volunteer Artillery in 1860. Its history exemplifies the single Battle Honour of the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
"Ubique" (Everywhere), serving in the major battles of both world wars.
In recent times Battery members have served on active service in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Pre First World War
In 1859 the Volunteer Force was created as a result of rising tensions on the European continent. An appeal was made to citizens to form Artillery Corps and Companies in maritime towns. This appeal resulted in the formation of the 3rd Durham Volunteer Artillery in South Shields in 1860. When the Royal Artillery divided in 1899, the unit became the 3rd Durham Royal Garrison Artillery (Vols).On the formation of the Territorial Army in 1908, the 3rd Durham RGA re-rolled as Royal Field Artillery and designated as the 4th Durham Battery of the 4th Northumbrian (County of Durham) Howitzer Brigade RFA (T).
First World War
The Brigade mobilised in August 1914 and deployed to France in April 1915. In early May, the Brigade were the first Territorial field gunners to engage in the Ypres fighting in the Second Battle of YpresSecond Battle of Ypres
The Second Battle of Ypres was the first time Germany used poison gas on a large scale on the Western Front in the First World War and the first time a former colonial force pushed back a major European power on European soil, which occurred in the battle of St...
. A reorganisation of Field brigades in 1916 saw the 4th Durham Battery transferred to 250 (Northumbrian Brigade) as D/250 Battery, the 5th Durhams going to 251 Brigade, D/251 Battery. The units would go on to take part in the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Arras (1917)
Battle of Arras (1917)
The Battle of Arras was a British offensive during the First World War. From 9 April to 16 May 1917, British, Canadian, New Zealand, Newfoundland, and Australian troops attacked German trenches near the French city of Arras on the Western Front....
, Battle of Passchendaele before the final battles of 1918.
Inter-War
On the re-forming of the TA in 1921 the brigade became the 3rd (Northumbrian) Field Brigade RA (TA), which was then re-designated as the 74th Field Brigade RA (TA). A re-organisation of Artillery Field Brigades in 1938 resulted in the formation of the 74th (Northumbrian) Field Regiment RA (TA) together with a duplicate unit, 125th (Northumbrian) Field Regiment RA (TA).Second World War
The 74th Regiment mobilised as divisional Artillery within the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division,supporting 151st Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom) ,The Durham Light Infantry Brigade, with whom they served from 1939 to 1944 . They deployed to France in 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). The Regiment returned to the UK in the Dunkirk evacuationIn 1941 they embarked with the 8th Army for the Middle East Theatre of World War II
Middle East Theatre of World War II
The Middle East Theatre of World War II is defined largely by reference to the British Middle East Command, which controlled Allied forces in both Southwest Asia and eastern North Africa...
. Initially they took part in the Jock column
Jock column
During World War II, "Jock columns" were small combined arms groups of armoured cars, artillery, and motorised infantry, generally drawn from the 7th Armoured Division...
actions to harass the enemy. Supporting 151 (DLI) Brigade they were engaged in the Battle of Gazala
Battle of Gazala
The Battle of Gazala was an important battle of the Second World War Western Desert Campaign, fought around the port of Tobruk in Libya from 26 May-21 June 1942...
, breaking out to avoid capture through Mersa Matruh, though suffering many casualties . Following re-fitting and re-equipment the Regiment was engaged in the Second Battle of El Alamein
Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The battle took place over 20 days from 23 October – 11 November 1942. The First Battle of El Alamein had stalled the Axis advance. Thereafter, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery...
followed by the assault on the Mareth Line
Mareth Line
The Mareth Line was a system of fortifications built by the French between the towns of Medenine and Gabès in southern Tunisia, prior to World War II...
. Joining the Italian Campaign (World War II)
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
they landed in the Allied invasion of Sicily
Allied invasion of Sicily
The Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, was a major World War II campaign, in which the Allies took Sicily from the Axis . It was a large scale amphibious and airborne operation, followed by six weeks of land combat. It launched the Italian Campaign.Husky began on the night of...
where they were engaged in the battle of Primosole Bridge (Operation Fustian
Operation Fustian
Operation Fustian was a British airborne forces mission during the Allied invasion of Sicily in the Second World War. The operation was carried out by the 1st Parachute Brigade, part of the 1st Airborne Division. Their objective was the Primosole Bridge across the Simeto River. The intention was...
)and the barrage across the Straits of Messina for the invasion of Italy.
The Regiments next major action was D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
and the Invasion of Normandy, landing on Gold Beach
Gold Beach
Gold Beach was the code name of one of the D-Day landing beaches that Allied forces used to invade German-occupied France on 6 June 1944, during World War II....
with the 50th Northumbrian (Infantry) Division. They were subsequently involved in the Normandy Battle to breakout in Operation Perch
Operation Perch
Operation Perch was a British offensive of the Second World War which took place between 7 and 14 June 1944, during the Battle of Normandy. The operation was intended to encircle and seize the German occupied city of Caen, which was a major Allied objective in the early stages of the invasion of...
. Later service through North West Europe saw the Regiment involved in the liberation of Brussels and the battle of the Gheil bridgehead on the Albert Canal. In September 1944 they formed part of Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden
Operation Market Garden was an unsuccessful Allied military operation, fought in the Netherlands and Germany in the Second World War. It was the largest airborne operation up to that time....
. When the rest of the 50th Division returned to England, in November 1944, 74 Regiment was attached to 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division being engaged on the Grebbe line. Following the German surrender in May 1945 the Regiment remained in the Army of Occupation returning to South Shields in 1946.
The 74th (Northumbrian) Field Regiment fought with distinction in some of the most decisive battles of the Second World winning 3 DSOs, 7 MCs
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, 8 MMs
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
125 (Northumbrian) Field Regiment re-roled as 125 Anti-Tank Regiment in 1940. It deployed to the Far East and was captured in 1942. Many of the Regiment became Far East Prisoners of War.
1947-1967
In 1947 the Territorial Army was reconstituted, 74 Regiment was re-formed as 274 (Northumbrian) Field Regiment RA (TA), with 125 Regiment formed as 325(Durham) L.A.A. Regiment R.A. (T.A.). Following subsequent amalgamations 325 Regiment became 463 (Durham Light Infantry) Light Air Defence Regiment R.A. (T.A.). On disbandment of Anti-Aircraft Command in 1955, 274 Regiment absorbed 487 H.A.A. Regiment R.A. (Durham) (T.A.) and 377 (Durham) Observation Regiment R.A. (T.A.).101 (Northumbrian) Regiment RA (V)
In 1967 the TA became the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve (TAVR). As part of this re-structuring 101 (Northumbrian) Medium Regiment RA (V) was formed. 205 Medium Battery was constituted from 274 Field and 463 LAA Regiments. In 1974 the honour title 3rd Durham Volunteer Artillery was adopted by the Battery.Initially equipped with the BL 5.5 inch Medium Gun
BL 5.5 inch Medium Gun
The BL 5.5 inch Gun was a British artillery gun introduced during the middle of the Second World War to equip medium batteries.-History:In January 1939 a specification was issued for a gun to replace the 6 inch 26 cwt howitzers in use with most medium batteries...
, they converted to 105mm Light Gun in 1980 and to FH-70
FH-70
The FH-70 is a towed howitzer in use with several nations.-History:In 1963 NATO agreed a NATO Basic Military Requirement 39 for close support artillery, either towed or tracked. Subsequently Germany and UK started discussions and design studies and in 1968 established Agreed Operational...
in 1991. The Battery was the last to fire 101 Regiment's guns during the prestigious Queens Cup which they won for the second year running. The Battery therefore concluded 137 years service on the guns of the Royal Artillery as the premier Gun Battery in the Territorial Army. The following year, in 1997, 205 Battery converted to a missile Battery equipped with M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System
M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System
The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System is an armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher; a type of rocket artillery.Since the first M270s were delivered to the U.S. Army in 1983, the MLRS has been adopted by several NATO countries. Some 1,300 M270 systems have been manufactured in the...
and became the first TA Battery to fire that weapon system.
External links
- 205 (3rd Durham Volunteers) Battery Royal Artillery (V) http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/northeast/ta/Pages/205(3rdDurhamVolunteerArtillery)Battery,101(Northumbrian)RegimentRoyalArtillery(V).aspx
- 101 Regiment RA(V) http://www.army.mod.uk/artillery/units/101_regt_ra_v/default.aspx
- Royal Artillery - MOD Sirehttp://www.army.mod.uk/artillery/artillery.aspx
- The Royal Regiment of Artillery http://www.wix.com/Northumbrian/Royal-Artillery
- 74 Regiment Field Artillery RA (TA) http://74rgt.com/