4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) 1939-44
MIDDLE EAST 1941-42
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Both 3rd CLY and 4th CLY were sent to the Middle East in late 1941 and first saw action at
El Gubi where they suffered heavily from Italian artillery. After this baptism
of fire, 22nd Armoured Brigade formed part of 7th Armoured Division (Desert Rats)
for the remainder of the campaign. The two regiments took part in the Sidi Rezegh
battles, in the pursuit of Rommel to El Agheila.
After returning to Cairo for reinforcement and re-equipment with Grant tanks, they were back on the Gazala Line in April 1942. They were closely involved in the bitter fighting of May-June 1942 around the Cauldron and the Knightsbridge Box which culminated in the long hard retreat to the El Alamein line. |
4th CLY replenishing a Grant Tank near Knightsbridge, 18th June 1942
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