3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards)

The 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) was a cavalry regiment of the British Army.

History

The Regiment — as a consequence of the reforms of the British Army — was formed by the amalgamation of the 3rd Dragoon Guards (Prince of Wales's) and The Carabiniers (6th Dragoon Guards)), forming the 3rd/6th Dragoon Guards in 1922 in India, both amalgamated regiments having been based there during the amalgamation process. In 1925 the Regiment returned home to the UK for the first time as the 3rd/6th Dragoon Guards. In 1928 the Regiment's name was altered to become the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards).

In 1936 the 3rd Carabiniers was posted to Sialkot, India; their first deployment of the 1930s. In 1938 the Regiment, like much of the British cavalry, began the mechanisation process from horse to armoured vehicles, and the following year it joined the newly-formed Royal Armoured Corps (RAC).

World War II

The Second World War started in September 1939, after Nazi Germany invaded Poland on 1 September, and the British Empire, France, and their Allies declared war on Germany on 3 September.

The Regiment was still based in India when war broke out. In 1941, a cadre from the regiment was used to form the 25th Dragoons, which saw service in Burma; it was disbanded in 1947 in India. Also in 1941, on 7 December, the Japanese launched their surprise attack on the American base at Pearl Harbour, and shortly afterwards launched swift invasions of British and other nations territories.

The Regiment, as part of the 254th Indian Tank Brigade, was deployed to North-East India in December 1943, having been based away from the frontline guarding southern India from potential Japanese invasion, and was now equipped with the M3 Lee medium tank. The 3rd Carabiniers took part in the Battle of Imphal, which began in late March after the Japanese launched their offensive against the Allies in North-East India in March 19444. On 13 April the Regiment supported the 1/17th Dogras in their effort to take Nunshigum Ridge, recently captured by Jaapanese troops who had stoutly defended its capture. The battle was fierce and both units suffered heavily, but did successfully dislodge the Japanese from their positions. The 3rd Carabiniers involvement during the Nunshimgum action later became a Regimental anniversary. The Regiment was involved in further actions during the Imphal battle until it formally ended on 22 June 1944 with the Allied victory at Kohima. The 3rd Carabiniers, operating usually as squadrons or lower, took part in the successful advance deep into Burma, taking part in, among others, an intense action at Kennedy Peak and further heavy fighting in early 1945, including at Shwebo and Sagang. The Regiment later took part in the capture of Ava and Mandalay in March, and later around the Irrawaddy.

The Second World War officially ended on 2 September 1945 — almost 6-years to the day that it began — with the signing of the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on the deck of the American battleship USS Missouri. The campaign in Burma, however, had effectively ended in August.

Post-War

The Regiment departed India — what was the overseas 'home' of the British Army — from Bombay in early 1947, embarked abroad the Highland Princess, becoming the last cavalry regiment to leave India.

The 3rd Carabiniers was posted to West Germany — now the new overseas 'home' of the British Army — in 1952, becoming part of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR), with the Regiment based in Osnabruck. The Regiment returned to the UK, being based at Catterick, the following year, the 3rd Carabiniers moved to Tidworth, joining the Strategic Reserve. In 1961 the Regiment quickly deployed C Squadron to Kuwait as part of a British force charged with deterring Iraq  — ruled by President Kassem who had taken over in a military coup — from fulfilling its threats to attack the small country. The British Army was only one aspect of the British force sent to the Gulf to deter Iraq — three aircraft carriers, numerous fighter jets, and the Royal Marines among others. Also that year, the Regiment had one squadron each in Sharjah and Aden. The following year, the Regiment returned to West Germany, joining 20 Armoured Brigade in Detmold.

In 1967, having been an armoured regiment since the early 1950s, the Regiment re-roled to a reconnassaince unit, operating, among others, the Ferret scout car. The Regiment subsequently saw service in the British military installations at Libya, and in Cyprus. In 1969 the Regiment arrived in Munster, West Germany and returned home to the UK the following year, being based in Hereford.

On 2 July 1971 the Regiement was amalgamated with the Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons) to form the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys).

Other Information

• Anniversaries: Nunshigum (13 April)
• Alliances:
  • The Windsor Regiment (RCAC) — Canada (1951–1971)
  • The Royal Natal Carbineers — South Africa (1922–1961)
• Associated Yeomanry:
  • The Cheshire Yeomanry (Earl of Chester's)
  • The East Riding Yeomanry

Battle Honours

• Second World War: Imphal, Tamu Road, Nunshigum, Bishenpur, Kanglatongbi, Kennedy Peak, Shwebo, Sagaing, Manadalay, Ava, Irrawaddy, Yenangyaung 1945, Burma 1944–45