In 1936, The 3rd Hussars was the first Cavalry Regiment to be chosen to be re-equipped with tanks, and in 1940 the Regiment had its first opportunity to use them in anger. As the original ‘Desert Rats’, the 3rd Hussars joined a force of only 30,000 to defeat the Italian Army at Buq Buq and inflict 120,000 casualties. Later, in October 1942, the Regiment was chosen to spearhead the attack on the German Afrika Korps at El Alamein. The enemy positions were protected by thick minefields and a heavy concentration of anti-tank guns, but the Regiment had orders to break through at any cost. After four days of continuous desperate fighting at very close quarters – often muzzle to muzzle with the German guns, a breech was made and the whole Eighth Army was able to pour through the gap. Of the 51 tanks which had been taken into action, 47 had been destroyed and 21 officers and 96 men had been killed or wounded. The Regiment left North Africa and embarked for Italy where it remained until the end of the War, when it then led the advance guard of the Allied forces during their final march to victory.
(http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/QRH_further_history.pdf)
(http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/QRH_further_history.pdf)
In January 1943, the Regiment moved to Aleppo in Syria, in August to Haifa and then to the Lebanon but it was not until April of 1944 that they were put back into action pushing the Germans out of Italy. In June and July the 3rd led the advance of the 78th Division up Italy reaching Citta Del Piave and fighting then at Ripa. Montone, Citta del Castello and Pistrino in the Tiber valley. The Regiment had led 130 miles of successful pursuit when an order came that all personnel who had served overseas for four and a half years were to be sent to England. This was disappointing as the Regiment had always suffered the brunt of the battles but rarely enjoyed the easier work of the pursuits. The 3rd Moved to Syria first and this is where they were for the capitulation of the Axis powers on 6 may 1945. When Japan surrendered in August "B" Squadron started to return to the Regiment. The inhumane Japanese Prisoner of War camps had Killed 54 of the Squadron.
In December 1945 the 3rd Hussars were selected to be the Reconnaissance Regiment for the only Airborne Division being retained in the Post War Army and thus moved to Sarafond in Palestine to join their Division. Three years of internal peacekeeping duties followed until the 3rd were evacuated to Germany via Durham in 1948. For the next Decade they moved around Germany providing the First Armoured Squadron in Berlin and enjoying the peaceful life until they came home to amalgamate in 1958 after 18 years of unbroken foreign service.
Major David Watts commanded the returning party and described poignantly the "Hollow Merriment" of the journey and the lowering of the Regimental Flag for the last time. Two Hundred and Seventy Three years of Valour, Sacrifice, Tradition and identity was to be lost.
(http://www.qohmuseum.org.uk/3rd.htm)
In December 1945 the 3rd Hussars were selected to be the Reconnaissance Regiment for the only Airborne Division being retained in the Post War Army and thus moved to Sarafond in Palestine to join their Division. Three years of internal peacekeeping duties followed until the 3rd were evacuated to Germany via Durham in 1948. For the next Decade they moved around Germany providing the First Armoured Squadron in Berlin and enjoying the peaceful life until they came home to amalgamate in 1958 after 18 years of unbroken foreign service.
Major David Watts commanded the returning party and described poignantly the "Hollow Merriment" of the journey and the lowering of the Regimental Flag for the last time. Two Hundred and Seventy Three years of Valour, Sacrifice, Tradition and identity was to be lost.
(http://www.qohmuseum.org.uk/3rd.htm)