Artikel over The Highland Regiment

Hieronder is een artikel dat de historie van The Highland Regiment beschrijft tijdens WW2:

The Highland Regiment – The Lowland Regiment

As of the 17 January 1942 the above two regiments were raised as Corps of the Army for the purpose of the Army Act. Their army seniority being in the order shown.

The Highland Regiment

1st Battalion raised 15 February 1942 by the redesignation of 70th (Young Soldiers)^[1] Battalion, the Black Watch. The 70th had been formed 19 September 1940, by the amalgamation of Young Soldiers companies which had been withdrawn from 9th (HD)^[2] Battalion, The Black Watch, one; 10th (HD) Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment), two; 12th Bn ^[3], The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, one.

Reduced to Nil Strength 30 September 1943.

2nd Battalion raised 15 February 1942 by the redesignation of 70th (Young Soldiers) Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s). This battalion had been raised 19 September 1940, by the amalgamation of Young Soldiers companies which had been withdrawn from the regiment’s 12th Bn (ex-13th Bn), 14th (HD) Bn, one company each; 10th (HD) Bn, The Royal Scots Fusiliers, one.

Reduced to Nil Strength 1 January 1943.

The Lowland Regt:

1st Battalion raised 15 February 1942 by the redesignation of 70th (Young Soldiers) Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment). The 70th had been formed by the withdrawal of the Young Soldier companies (one of each) of the Royal Scots and Royal Scots Fusiliers from the 70th (Young Soldier) Battalions of The Black Watch and The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 14 December 1940.

Reduced to Nil Strength 25 August 1943.

Disbanded

Army Order 150/1949 (AO 150/149) disbanded both regiments. Most infantry regiments of the British Army raised Young Soldier battalions during WWII, all numbered 70th, and consisting of volunteers between the ages of 16 and 18.

Their immediate purpose was to take over guards at vulnerable points, and so release men for the Field Army. The long term policy was to train boys for service in the Field Army, with the intention that they being of a high standard which would result in good quality junior leaders, for their parent regiments. These units had limited equipment and vehicles.

The reason why the formation of the Highland and Lowland Regiments being regimental politics is since there were insufficient recruits to form a 70th Bn in each of the regiments of Scotland. There was a fair degree of inter-regimental bickering that the three Young Soldiers battalions shown above in their original form were siphoning off the best for their parent regiments, whilst the others were getting the “dross” (this I personally doubt, as the vast majority of recruits for these were very high quality) ^[4].

Assignment

At the time of the regiment’s raising, all three each consisted of some 1,500 Young Soldiers, organised into six companies each. They served in the south, and south east of England, much of their military efforts being related to the defence of RAF facilities (airfields, etc.) until the newly formed RAF Regiment replaced them. They frequently acted as enemy during Field Army exercises, but, for the majority of the time (as with all such) emphasised their training on the development of their young men. Well disciplined, fit, and highly motivated, on the transferrance to the Field Army, a very high percentage went to the ‘elite’ units of the army, 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions, the army commando’s, many to OCTU (Officer Cadet Training Unit) and eventual commission.

Conversion

In May 1942 all Young Soldier battalions were converted into ‘Home Defence and Young Soldier Battalion’s’, consisting of Headquarters (with mortar, assault pioneer and carrier platoons), and four rifle companies (each one bicycle and three rifle platoons, each four sections). Their enhanced establishment included full allocation of wireless sets, vehicles and carriers etc. Whilst early 1943 saw the two regiments go into nil strength, they did not lose a certain military role.

Enemy aliens, such as Austrian’s, Czechoslovakian’s and Germans (amongst others, including Finn’s) either serving with British units, or belonging to the various intelligence organisations, were given an identity relating their service (and home regiment) being Highland or Lowland Regiment. Many people of the Jewish faith who ended up in either 10th Inter-Allied Commando or the Independent Companies of the two Airborne Divisions, had in their AB64 Pay Books, entries indicating previous service in the two regiments.

In regard to dress, the cap badge (metal) was worn by all ranks normally on the bonnet. The ‘adult’ cadre of the two regiments normally wore their parent regiment insignia and dress, all three had pipe bands, who wore a mixture of Scottish military regalia (what ever came to hand), the Young Soldiers were encouraged (at their own expense) to wear (in military tartans) the kilt and trews.

In 1944 the now none existent battalions of these regiments suddenly discovered a new life, their titles being part of the signals; deception plan to sow doubt into the German mind as to the real site for the invasion of Europe. Post war the successful concept of the Young Soldiers battalions led to the formation of the various Junior Leaders regiments and Junior Soldiers Companies in the British Army.

NOTES

1. Young Soldier was always to be written in full, the abbreviation YS being a Royal Naval abbreviation, Yatch Service.
2. HD, Home Defence
3. Some references state 13th Bn, but, the 13th was absorbed into the 12th on 28 August 1940. In entry for 2nd Bn there is a Young Soldiers company from 13th (HD) Bn, surmising I would say that these two companies of Young Soldiers were held surplus to the bn’s establishment.
4. General Sir Andrew (A.F.A.N.) THORNE, late Grenadier Guards, the popular, energetic and innovative commander of Scottish Command, who had a tremendous sense of perspective about building high morale, was the driving force in the creation of the two regiments. Not just a brilliant staff officer, he was awarded the DSO on three occassions, the CMG and received seven MIDs during the Great War.