the SCOTTISH HORSE 1939-1945 Being History of 79th & 80th (Scottish Horse) Medium Regiments Royal Artillery.

The 79th and 80th (Scottish Horse) Medium Regiments, Royal Artillery, were formed during the Second World War through the conversion of the Scottish Horse, a Territorial Army cavalry regiment. In 1940, the Scottish Horse was formally dismounted and split into two medium artillery units.The 79th Medium Regiment was formed in February 1940 at Welbeck, Worksop, from the original Scottish Horse Yeomanry. The 80th Medium Regiment followed in April 1940 at Worksop as a duplicate of the 79th. By 1943, the 80th was equipped with 4.5-inch and 5.5-inch guns, capable of firing 100lb shells according to veteran accounts.The two regiments served in separate theatres of the war. The 79th landed in Normandy in June 1944 and fought through North West Europe, including the Ardennes and the Reichswald, eventually reaching Hamburg. The 80th moved to the Mediterranean in 1943, participating in the North African campaign before taking part in the invasions of Sicily and Italy, notably fighting at the Battle of Anzio.Together, these regiments illustrate the transformation of traditional cavalry units into powerful artillery forces, serving with distinction across multiple theatres of the Second World War.