GHQ Liaison Regiment facts for kids
Quick facts for kids GHQ Liaison Regiment |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1939–1945 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Special reconnaissance unit |
| Role | Airborne force Direct action Forward observer Long-range penetration Special reconnaissance |
| Garrison/HQ | Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park |
| Nickname(s) | "Phantom" |
| Engagements | Dunkirk evacuation Operation Overlord Operation Market Garden |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
George Frederick Hopkinson Alexander (Sandy) McIntosh |
The GHQ Liaison Regiment, often called Phantom, was a special unit of the British Army. It was created in 1939 at the start of World War II. The regiment's main office was in Richmond, Surrey. Its living quarters and officers' mess were at Pembroke Lodge, a large house in Richmond Park, London.
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History of Phantom
Phantom started as the No 3 British Air Mission in France in 1939. Its job was to report on where Allied troops were located. This information helped the RAF Advanced Air Striking Force know where to bomb. They needed to find "bomb lines," which were battle areas not held by Allied soldiers. These areas were safe targets for bombs and shells.
In November 1939, Lieutenant-Colonel George Hopkinson joined the mission. He changed how they worked. He made them use wireless radios more and move around quickly. This helped them get better information from the front lines. The name "Phantom" was chosen by the unit members themselves. It later became their official name.
After the Dunkirk evacuation, the unit was renamed No 1 GHQ Reconnaissance Unit. Its new role was to gather important information if the Nazis invaded Britain. In January 1941, the Reconnaissance Corps was formed. To avoid confusion, Phantom was renamed the GHQ Liaison Regiment. Phantom looked for people with many skills. They recruited linguists (people who speak many languages), drivers, and mechanics. They trained hard in using wireless radios and secret codes.
In January 1944, the Reconnaissance Corps became part of the Royal Armoured Corps. Phantom joined them. Phantom was officially ended in 1945. It was then reborn as the Army Phantom Signals Regiment. This new unit lasted until 1960. By then, new technology meant they were no longer needed.
Phantom's Role in Operation Overlord
During Operation Overlord in June 1944, many Phantom patrols arrived in Normandy the day after D-Day. Their mission was to travel day and night. They had to find all British, Canadian, and American units. They marked their locations on a map. Then, they sent this vital information to the main headquarters.
Phantom's Role in Operation Market Garden
In September 1944, during Operation Market Garden, Phantom played a crucial role. Airborne troops were surrounded at Arnhem. The only way they could talk to headquarters was through a Phantom patrol. This patrol sent a famous, urgent message from Major-General Roy Urquhart. He said that if they didn't get help by September 25th, they might not last much longer. Two Phantom officers later received the Military Cross medal. They earned it for keeping these important communications going during the battle. Phantom units also worked with XXX Corps. They also worked with General Browning's headquarters near the 82nd Airborne HQ in Groesbeek.
How Phantom Was Organized
Phantom units were called squadrons. They were sent to North West Europe, South East Europe, North Africa, and Italy. Each squadron supported an Army. It had a headquarters (SHQ) and several patrols. There was one patrol for each corps. Ten more patrols were sent even further forward.
Each patrol had an officer, a non-commissioned officer (NCO), and up to nine other soldiers. They usually used Norton motorcycles, Jeeps, Morris 15cwt trucks, and White M3 A1 Scout cars. They carried special radio equipment. The patrols either joined other army groups or went on special missions from their Army HQs. Their job was to collect and share up-to-date information about how battles were going. They sent this information to the corps headquarters.
For Operation Overlord, one patrol was assigned to each division's headquarters. This meant they landed with the main divisional HQ. On D-Day, three Phantom Patrols (5, 8 & 14) landed with the 3rd British, 50th Northumbrian, and 3rd Canadian Divisions. Some patrols even parachuted with the Special Air Service (SAS). They provided communications for the SAS Brigade HQ. Later, Phantom proved how effective it was. So, similar arrangements were made for Phantom to help US corps with communications.
Famous Phantom Officers
Many famous people served as officers in Phantom. These included actors like Major David Niven. He once said these were "wonderful days" he wouldn't have missed. Other actors were Tam Williams and Willoughby Gray.
Several Members of Parliament (MPs) were also Phantom officers. An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in the British Parliament. These included Sir Jakie Astor, the Hon. Michael Astor, Peter Baker, Sir Hugh Fraser, Maurice Macmillan, Sir Carol Mather, and Christopher Mayhew. Nigel Bridge, Baron Bridge of Harwich became a Law Lord, a very senior judge. The journalist Sir Peregrine Worsthorne and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Robert Mark also served. Other officers, like Michael Oakeshott and John Hislop, became well-known in academics or sports.
