RAF Haddock Force June 1940 Part 4

Chapter 2 - RAF Haddock Force

One of the negative points about the airfields in the Marseilles area was that it was felt that they vulnerable to aerial attack from the direction of the sea. 'Haddock' therefore had to be given adequate anti-aircraft protection or the bombers from England might become easy targets.

The problem was that with the worsening situation in Northern France there were no spare anti-aircraft batteries available. Anti- aircraft cover had been requested from BAFF in early June, but there were no units to spare and the only option left was to ask the French to assist. They also had no units available in the area[.1] This lack of cover put the operation in jeopardy as the Air Ministry reminded BAFF on 4th June.[2] On 6th June the question base port defence of Nantes was raised and it was found that the 53rd HAA Regiment could be spared. The Regiment was to be sent to defend Salon and Le Vallon without delay.

The 53rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment was a territorial regiment which had been sent to France in early October 1939 as part of the 12th Anti-Aircraft Brigade. The formation of this unit had been ordered by the War Office on 9th October 19393 and it was given the task of defending the airfields of the AASF around Rheims.

When the German advance reached the Rheims area during the early hours of 16th May 1940 the prearranged signal for the withdrawal of the Regiment was received. As the Emergency Move Orders were in two 'stages', and it was not clear whether these 'stages' were to apply the Commander of 157th Battery rushed to RHQ for clarification from the Commanding Officer. On being told to "get out" as quickly as possible due to the advancing enemy, 157th Battery withdrew. Only the a third of the Battery's guns had been prepared for road transport and therefore only the personnel and instruments were evacuated from the majority of the gunsites. Sixteen of the Regiment's twenty four 3" guns were left behind.[4]

The 17th May found the 157th Battery in the area around Troyes to the South of Rheims. The 17th and 18th May were spent salvaging the guns and the storesleft behind in the haste to evacuate the gunsites. All the Battery's guns were recovered together with most of the stores and ammunition, but the salvage operation had to be stopped on the 19th following the capture of 2 Officers (including the Chaplain) and 5 men on a salvage mission.[5]

Brigadier W Crewsdon the Commanding Officer of the 12th AA Brigade felt that the 53rd had "exceeded the evacuation order".[6] The excesses included smashing the guns which left only four of the 53rd's guns fit for repair in the field; eighteen guns had been recovered in total. It was decided that "the 53rd HAA Regiment must therefore suffer for the good of the whole AASF".[7] Of the three Batteries that made up the 53rd, the 158th Battery together with eight officers and 173 men from 157th and 159th Batteries were to remain with the 12th AA Brigade. With the men also went the best part of the Regiment's instruments and transport. What was left of the 53rd was ordered to proceed to Nantes with the fourteen guns that were out of action. There they were to join the defence of the port and get the guns repaired. The 53rd remained part of the 12th AA Brigade, but never rejoined it in France.

What remained of the 53rd Regiment left the Troyes area on 22nd May delayed due to loading difficulties. Loading was difficult with each gun having to be manhandled on to a truck which was ten inches above the siding platform. Two of the guns broke through the trucks and had to be hauled back and reloaded elsewhere. Luck continued to go against the 53rd when one gun fell through its truck while the train was moving. In the early hours of 23rd May the 53rd arrived in Nantes with fourteen damaged guns to assist with the defence of the port.

The train was unloaded immediately it arrived so as to expedite the repair of the guns which together with the gunnery instruments were delivered to the ordnance repair unit for repair and overhaul. The men put under canvas and by the end of May, 157th Battery had three guns back in action. These were immediately deployed to provide anti-aircraft cover for Nantes; by 5th June six guns were back in action.

Lieutenant Colonel V R Krohn RA, Officer Commanding  the 53rd HAA Regiment was telephoned on 6th June by BAFF to confirm the details of the strength of his Regiment. Krohn said he could man 6 gun positions with 13 guns but that as the Regiment was the only defence at Nantes he couldn't be spared. He also said that due to the lack of motor transport the Regiment would need a train. The need for anti-aircraft cover for 'Haddock' was so great and the 53rd was the only available unit, that transport problems could easily be overcome. Following this call, the Brigade Major of the 12th AA Brigade was contacted at 1933 hrs., and he confirmed that Krohn was suitable for the job9.Later the same evening in Nantes, Krohn issued an order that the Regiment was to be ready to move within 48 hours of 0900 hrs. on 7th June.

This was the situation on 7th June when BAFF was able to confirm to the Air Ministry that anti-aircraft cover would be available for 'Haddock' in the form of thirteen 3" guns (one gun was to remain in Nantes and was to follow when repairs had been completed) and four Bofors guns.

The 3" gun with which the 53rd was equipped was obsolete by the outbreak of war as it could not hit aircraft flying at 20,000 feet or more.[8] The planners of 'Haddock' must have hoped that any Italian attack on Salon would be at low level so as to give the gunners a chance.

The entraining, ordered late on  6th June, was completed later than scheduled on the 9th, but despite 46 hours on the train the 53rd Regiment was, as planned, ready for action at first light on 12th June.[10]

Notes

1          AIR 35 157 15A

2          AIR 35 157 16A

3          WO 167 443 Appendix to Bde. Diary

4          WO 167 637 August '39 to June '40

5          WO 167 443 October '39 to June '40

6          WO 167 443 October '39 to June '40

7          WO 167 617 September '39 to June '40

8          AIR 35 81  Re-equipment with 3.7" guns had been hoped for but this as    prevented by the German invasion

9          AIR 35 157 19A

10        AIR 35 157 22A