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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 24/11/2023

So if you ever see anyone comment that the invasion threat was not taken seriously show them this post. If the situation wasn't taken seriously, then details such as sourcing grave markers and ensuring provision for the burial of dead soldiers would not have even been considered

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 24/11/2023

Other information in the defence scheme also shows the military communications networks and radio nets established across Yorkshire, including carrier pigeon lofts.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 24/11/2023

Alongside this, Advanced Dressing Stations, Regimental Aid Posts and ambulance pickup points were not only planned but were actually established in East Yorkshire in anticipation of having to evacuate battlefield casualties.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 24/11/2023

The reality of the situation was taken very seriously and with the Division taking steps to ensure that dead soldiers could be buried for later retrieval it makes it very clear that the possibility of invasion was taken absolutely seriously at the time.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 24/11/2023

This following page brought everything into stark reality of the situation in 1940. This page of the Sector Defence Scheme from late 1940 shows clearly that 'battle casualties' were anticipated and even temporary grave markers were being stockpiled for imminent use.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 24/11/2023

I've just started reading through a pair of War Diaries for the Divisions deployed to defend East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Along with the other documents, these have made it even more clear that the defence of the UK was indeed taken very seriously and was planned meticulously

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 24/11/2023

These views often persist and due to a lack of research and the continued promotion of ahistorical narratives based on the bumbling inefficiency presented in Dad's Army they will continue to persist unless more research is undertaken and presented.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 24/11/2023

So, in all my years of investigating the anti-invasion defences I have often come across views that the threat of invasion in 1940 was never taken seriously or that the defence was never planned or coordinated. These views often come from people who haven't done any research.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 21/11/2023

Churchill then went on to give a speech to the Home Guard at Seaton, located behind the front line, where you'd expect them to be in 1940.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 21/11/2023

Now I have their War Diary, thanks to my funding appeal and my generous donors, I can add a bit more detail. The previous day the Battalion was visited by Commanding Officer and General Lord Gort and on the day of the PM's visit the weather was 'Dull' apparently.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 21/11/2023

While deployed to defend Withernsea, the Battalion was inspected by the Prime Minister Winston Churchill on the 31st of July 1940.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 21/11/2023

The Battalion spent a lot of time defending East Yorkshire during the Second World War and they were deployed on active service for several months defending the coastal town of Hornsea.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 21/11/2023

Today's 'These Are Not The Home Guard You Are Looking For' post features the 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment, a Regular Army Battalion that weren't the Home Guard but were responsible for front line defence of the country during 1940. Image: © IWM H 2649

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 20/11/2023

I also like the idea of 'special occasions'. Like, during the Battalion Christmas party or when a dignitary is visiting 'Let's break out the sticky bombs and molotoffs, shall we?'.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 20/11/2023

Finally got confirmation that the S.T. Grenade (better known as the Sticky Grenade) was indeed issued to the Regular and Territorial Army and not just the Home Guard. You know, as you'd expect.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 31/10/2023

I meant to put this out on here. Anyway, here's this week's 'These aren't the Home Guard you're looking for' post.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 29/10/2023

This commendation really stood out. How many other such acts of selfless bravery carried out by the Regular Army et al of the Home Forces are now also forgotten? #WW2 #SecondWorldWar #Pillbox

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 29/10/2023

Going through the War Diary of the 11th Battalion Yorkshire and Lancaster regiment, yet another Battalion deployed to defend North and East Yorkshire during the Second World War.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 24/10/2023

Any chance you could head towards teh 2-pdr anti-tank gun with a tape measure for me?

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 23/10/2023

The 6th Btn RSF were deployed within the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division, a TA Division, under XI Corps of the Home Forces in defence of East Anglia during 1940. How many people remember their role today? #RememberTheRegulars ukswwh.wordpress.com/home-forces/

ukswwh.wordpress.com

Home Forces Resources

These resources outline the military organisation of the UK's Home Forces during the Second World War.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 23/10/2023

I may call these posts 'These aren't the Home Guard you're looking for', who knows. Anyway. Here's the 6th Btn Royal Scots Fusiliers passing by a pillbox near Frinton, Essex on 14 September 1940 © IWM H 4045 www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...

iwm.org.uk

ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS WITH BREN GUNS

Original wartime caption: Members of the Royal Scots Fusiliers marching past a pill-box in the course of the day's duty.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 12/10/2023

Units further north towards Filey were also to take on active defence of their associated bases and establishments. #RememberTheRegulars #Pillbox #SecondWorldWar #WW2 #Bridlington

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 12/10/2023

There's also more evidence that connects the RAF to using local pillboxes than there is the Home Guard, which I find particularly funny given how pillboxes are pretty much always associated with the Home Guard!

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 12/10/2023

In my ongoing research into the defences of east Yorkshire, members of the RAF from a local training establishment were to bolster the ranks of the Territorial Army units garrisoned on the front line to defend the town, as well as support the Home Guard units operating roadblocks in the rear.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 12/10/2023

At this rate I'm going to have to rename the account to incorporate the Royal Navy shore establishment ratings and now the RAF! The role of the RAF defending the skies is well down following the fall of France, but they also had a primary role in defending the ground!

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 05/10/2023

Which would be extremely sad, given that many didn't get their story heard. #RememberTheRegulars

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 05/10/2023

I'm currently assuming it's a similar situation with Battle of Britain pilots and there are very few if any left.

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Remember the Regulars @remembertheregs.bsky.social · 05/10/2023

One thing I'm currently interested in is finding out if there are any surviving members of the Home Forces who served during the invasion threat period from 1939 to the end of 1942.

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