The Worcestershire Regiment in World War 2

The Worcestershire Soldier - The Worcestershire Regiment in World War 2

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The Worcestershire Regiment in World War 2 - Soldiers of the Worcestershire Regiment c.1940 - Click on image for a bigger picture.

The Worcestershire Regiment served all over the world during World War 2, 1939-45. Click on the Battalions listed below for a service summary.

The Worcestershire Soldier - Standard battledress for the European theatre of World War 2 - Click on image for a bigger picture

1st	2nd	7th	8th
9th	10th	11th	12th

Soldier's Conditions

1st Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment.

	In 1939 the 1st Battalion were in Palestine, keeping the fragile peace between Arabs and Jews around Jerusalem. When war broke out they moved across into North Africa. They were sent to Abbysinia and Eritrea (which are now Ethiopia), which were Italian colonies. They fought a harsh campaign here, fighting in scorching deserts and dry mountains as the Italians put up a bitter resistance.

Eventually, after the battle of Keren, the Italians surrendered. By taking these colonies, the British had secured their supply lines through the Suez Canal and won a Britain's first major land victory of the war.

In 1941 the 1st Battalion transferred to the Western Desert in order to fight the Germans. As the Germans advanced, the Battalion became trapped in Tobruk. Just outside this port the Battalion made a gallant stand, at a place called Point 187, holding back the German tanks for 24 hours before finally pulling back.

The Worcestershire Regiment in World War 2 - A piece of cloth used in North Africa to show the Battalions positions to friendly artillery units - Click on image for a bigger picture

In June 1942 the 1st Battalion were with the garrison of Tobruk when it surrendered. Only a few men escaped back to England.

	In January 1943 the Battalion was reborn as the 11th Battalion, then renumbered as the 1st. The new Battalion landed in Normandy in June 1944 and were heavily involved in the Battle of Caen and the advance on the River Seine. On the 16th August they crossed the River under heavy fire - the first unit across. The Battalion later fought through the liberation of Belgium and Holland, and the invasion of Germany. In March 1945 they played a major part in the crossing of the Rhine.