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Engineer Regiment
BACKGROUND
The History of the Field Engineer Regiment now 48 Engineer Regiment dates back from the beginning of World War II, when the 2nd and 3rd Field Companies Gold Coast (GC), were formed in May 1939 at Akwatia with men recruited from the nearby DIAMOND MINES and Tradesmen from Public Works Department (PWD). Major JS Thain and Major C Alderson, both of Royal Engineers then serving with Gold Coast (GC) PWD, were the first commanders.
OPERATIONS IN EAST AFRICA (1940-1941)
Prior to embarkation to East Africa some training was undertaken locally with a few hand tools. There were no military bridging equipment; only small quantities of training mines and demolition stores were available. Its main training policy was based on improvisation, which stood it in good stead at that time and even up to now.
Artillery Regiment
HISTORY OF THE 66 ARTILLERY REGIMENT
The present 66 Artillery Regiment came into existence on 16 April 1966. It was referred to as the Medium Mortar Regiment until 3 June 2003, when the unit took delivery of new artillery pieces and was redesignated the 66 Artillery Regiment. The object of the formation of the then Medium Mortar Regiment on 16 April 1966 was to increase the fire power potential of the Ghana Army, as hitherto, its only existing fire support had come from the 81mm Mortars.
This situation was created after the disbandment of the Royal West Africa Frontier Force (RWAFF) of British West Africa in 1956, which saw the departure of the Artillery Battery. This Battery had been an integral part of the Gold Coast Regiment since its inception.
Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment
1. The history of the Armored Reconnaissance Regt of today is as that of the Ghana Army of today. It took its root from the Royal West Africa Frontier Force (RWAFF) establishment when the Gold Coast Recce Regt was formed from cadres of RWAFF as divisional troops for operations in Burma during the 2nd World War in August 1941.
2. Like many infant units, all Recce Sqns which were formed during world War II were subsequently disbanded in 1946 along with the bulk of the Fd Bty (2nd Fd of Bty RWAFF ) at the end Word War II, this remnant Regt was designated the indep Recce Battery on 4 July 1958 under the command of Maj Stevenson, RA. It was redesignated the Ghana Recce Sqn on 1 May 1959 with a strength of six Officers and 252 Men and moved from the Old to the New Golden Barracks in June 1959. The first Ghanaian OC was Capt DK Addo who took over from Capt JR Davidson on 13 Jun 1960. His command was however, short-lived when he had to hand over to Maj GR Dixon, RTR, on 25 Jun 1960.
Medium Mortar Regiment
1. Mortar Regiment currently location in Volta Barracks was formed in Accra on 16 April1966. The unit's formation arose from the Army's need for increased firepower following the introduction of the 81mm Mortar in the Army in 1960.
2. The regiment is predated by the RACCLI in 1821, the Gold Coast Corps (GCC) in 1852, Rait's Artillery in 1873 and unspecified element during the Yaa Asantewaa War in 1900. With the expansion of GCR (two battalions) into Gold Coast (2 WA) Brigade under Brig Gen Rose on 1 November 1918 for service in Palestine, Battery of 4 x 2.95 guns and 8 Stokes Mortar was also established. The battery was demobilized in 1918 with the loss of the Stokes Mortar. A Light battery was formed by 1938 with HQ and 2 detachments each with 2 x 3.7inch Howitzers under command of four British Officers and five BNCOS. The 51 (GC) Light battery was deployed in the East African Campaign till 1941 when an additional coastal Defence Artillery and Anti-Aircraft (AA) Battery with one troop of light AA was formed. There was further expansion for Burma on the formation of 5 (WA) Brigade. 81 (WA) Div, and 2 (WA) Bde,82 (WA)Dir, which included one Light battery each to support the brigades ( probably 51 and 5 Batteries). |
