British Corps Recce Regiment, 1942–1945

Universal Carrier belonging to a Carrier Section of the Recce Squadron.

A Universal Carrier belonging to a Carrier Section of the Recce Squadron. The 1:72 scale cardboard model of the Bren Carrier has been detailed with combat stowage, camouflage netting, an anti-aircraft machine gun, and crew figures taken from the scratchbox. The Recce Regiment served as the eyes and ears of the Corps. In recognition of its cavalry duties, the Corps Recce Regiment adopted cavalry designations for its component squadrons and troops after June 1942. Recce Regiment vehicles carried the tactical number “41” on the left front and rear fender, which identified the reconnaissance units within the Corps.

The Recce Section of the Scout Troops was initially equipped with five Humber Light Reconnaissance Cars (LRC) which were replaced by Daimler or Humber armoured cars as the war progressed. Later in the war the Humber light armoured cars were replaced or augmented by American M8 Greyhound heavy armoured cars. The Recce Regiment was entitled to 45 LRCs, 67 Univeral Carriers, 6 Three Ton Trucks, 71 Three Quarter Ton Trucks (15 cwt), 71 Motorcycles, 6 Utility Cars, and other miscellaneous vehicles like Water Tankers and Repair Trucks. The unit was more lavishly equipped with Bren light machine guns and Boys anti-tank rifles than a comparable infantry battalion.

Corps Recce Regiment, June 1942

  • Regimental Headquarters
  • Headquarters Squadron
    • Admin Troop
    • Signals Troop
    • Anti-Tank Battery
      • Anti-Tank Troop
      • Anti-Tank Troop (same as above)
    • Mortar Troop
      • 3″ Mortar
      • 3″ Mortar
      • 3″ Mortar
      • 3″ Mortar
      • 3″ Mortar
      • 3″ Mortar
  • A Recce Squadron
    • Scout Troop
      • Recce Section
        • Light Reconnaissance Car (LRC)
        • Light Reconnaissance Car (LRC)
        • Light Reconnaissance Car (LRC)
        • Light Reconnaissance Car (LRC)
        • Light Reconnaissance Car (LRC)
      • Carrier Section
        • Universal Carrier
        • Universal Carrier
        • Universal Carrier
      • Carrier Section (same as above)
    • Scout Troop (same as above)
    • Scout Troop (same as above)
    • Assault Troop
      • Assault Section
        • Corporal
        • Lance Corporal
        • Driver
        • 5 Privates
        • 15cwt Truck
      • Assault Section (same as above)
      • Assault Section (same as above)
      • Assault Section (same as above)
  • B Recce Squadron (same as above)
  • C Recce Squadron (same as above)

The Corps Recce Regiment is a versatile wargame unit, because of the interesting mix of light armoured cars, infantry carriers, light trucks, and the inherent infantry component of the Assault Troop. Some Recce Regiments even had a small artillery detachment consisting of towed or self-propelled 25 pdr field guns. The miniatures and vehicles needed to raise a Corps Recce Regiment are readily available from Airfix and other manufacturers.

British Miniatures of World War Two