British 1st London Division
Encyclopedia
The 56th Infantry Division was a British Territorial Army division
of the First and Second World War. The division's insignia was the sword from the coat of arms
of the City of London
.
) or as reinforcements for other divisions. In January 1916 the division was deployed as a unit to France where it served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war. It was demobilised in May 1919.
under the title of the 1st London Division. It was reorganised as an infantry division in June 1940 and redesignated as the 56th (London) Infantry Division on 18 November 1940. The divisional insignia during the Second World War was changed to an outline of a black cat in a red background. The cat stood for Dick Whittington's cat, a symbol of London.
The division remained in the United Kingdom during the Battle of France
, moving to the Middle East in November 1942 where it served in Iraq
and Palestine until moving to Egypt
in March 1943 and thence forward to Libya
, and the front, in April. The division sat out the Allied invasion of Sicily
(except for the 168th Brigade, which was attached to the understrength 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division and moved to Italy
in September 1943 and saw service in the Battle of Monte Cassino
, in January , serving there until March 1944 and participated in the Anzio Campaign. After being withdrawn to Egypt at the end of March, the division returned to Italy in July 1944 taking part in the Battles along the Gothic Line
and remained there until after VE Day.
After crossing the Volturno in October 1943, the division entered the town of Calvi Vecchia
. Their attempts to radio the United States Fifth Army to cancel a planned bombing on the town failed. As a last resort, the 56th released an American homing pigeon
named G.I. Joe
who carried a message that reached the allies just as the planes were being warmed up. The attack was called off and the division was spared.
After the war, the division was reformed as the 56th (London) Armoured Division from 1946 until the Territorial Army was reorganised as the TAVR in 1967-8. The Division included 22nd Armoured Brigade
and 168th Lorried Infantry Brigade, and the Inns of Court Yeomanry
as the divisional reconnaissance regiment.
An echo of the division rose again for a time when the Public duties
battalions within London District
were grouped as 56th (London) Brigade
from 1987 to 1993.
brigade
s:
The 24th Guards Brigade was assigned to the Division in Italy on 18 February 1945.
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
of the First and Second World War. The division's insignia was the sword from the coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
.
First World War
During the First World War, the battalions of the division were initially used for garrison duty overseas (including MaltaMalta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
) or as reinforcements for other divisions. In January 1916 the division was deployed as a unit to France where it served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war. It was demobilised in May 1919.
Second World War
At the outbreak of war in September 1939, the division was mobilised as motorised infantryMotorised infantry
In NATO and most other western countries, motorised infantry is infantry which is transported by trucks or other motor vehicles. It is distinguished from mechanized infantry, which is carried in armoured personnel carriers, infantry combat vehicles, or infantry fighting vehicles...
under the title of the 1st London Division. It was reorganised as an infantry division in June 1940 and redesignated as the 56th (London) Infantry Division on 18 November 1940. The divisional insignia during the Second World War was changed to an outline of a black cat in a red background. The cat stood for Dick Whittington's cat, a symbol of London.
The division remained in the United Kingdom during the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
, moving to the Middle East in November 1942 where it served in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Palestine until moving to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
in March 1943 and thence forward to Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, and the front, in April. The division sat out the Allied invasion of Sicily
Allied invasion of Sicily
The Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, was a major World War II campaign, in which the Allies took Sicily from the Axis . It was a large scale amphibious and airborne operation, followed by six weeks of land combat. It launched the Italian Campaign.Husky began on the night of...
(except for the 168th Brigade, which was attached to the understrength 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division and moved to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in September 1943 and saw service in the Battle of Monte Cassino
Battle of Monte Cassino
The Battle of Monte Cassino was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies against Germans and Italians with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome.In the beginning of 1944, the western half of the Winter Line was being anchored by Germans...
, in January , serving there until March 1944 and participated in the Anzio Campaign. After being withdrawn to Egypt at the end of March, the division returned to Italy in July 1944 taking part in the Battles along the Gothic Line
Gothic Line
The Gothic Line formed Field Marshal Albert Kesselring's last major line of defence in the final stages of World War II along the summits of the Apennines during the fighting retreat of German forces in Italy against the Allied Armies in Italy commanded by General Sir Harold Alexander.Adolf Hitler...
and remained there until after VE Day.
After crossing the Volturno in October 1943, the division entered the town of Calvi Vecchia
Calvi Risorta
Calvi Risorta is a comune in the Province of Caserta in the Italian region Campania, located across the Via Casilina about 40 km northwest of Naples and about 25 km northwest of Caserta....
. Their attempts to radio the United States Fifth Army to cancel a planned bombing on the town failed. As a last resort, the 56th released an American homing pigeon
Homing pigeon
The homing pigeon is a variety of domestic pigeon derived from the Rock Pigeon selectively bred to find its way home over extremely long distances. The wild rock pigeon has an innate homing ability, meaning that it will generally return to its own nest and its own mate...
named G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe (pigeon)
G.I. Joe was a pigeon noted for his service in the United States Army Pigeon Service.During World War II, G.I. Joe saved the lives of the inhabitants of the village of Calvi Vecchia, Italy, and of the British troops occupying it...
who carried a message that reached the allies just as the planes were being warmed up. The attack was called off and the division was spared.
After the war, the division was reformed as the 56th (London) Armoured Division from 1946 until the Territorial Army was reorganised as the TAVR in 1967-8. The Division included 22nd Armoured Brigade
British 22nd Armoured Brigade
The 22nd Armoured Brigade, a British Army brigade, was formed as the 22nd Heavy Armoured Brigade on 3 September 1939 with three Yeomanry mechanised cavalry regiments The 22nd Armoured Brigade, a British Army brigade, was formed as the 22nd Heavy Armoured Brigade on 3 September 1939 with three...
and 168th Lorried Infantry Brigade, and the Inns of Court Yeomanry
Inns of Court and City Yeomanry
Known by its new title since 2009, the Inns of Court & City and Essex Yeomanry is a Royal Signals squadron in the British Territorial Army with its headquarters in Chancery Lane, London...
as the divisional reconnaissance regiment.
An echo of the division rose again for a time when the Public duties
Public duties
Public duties are performed by military personnel, and usually have a ceremonial or historic significance rather than an overtly operational role.-Germany:...
battalions within London District
London District (British Army)
London District is the name given by the British Army to the area of operations encompassing the Greater London area. Established in 1870 as Home District, it was re-formed in 1905 as London District to be an independent district within the larger command structure of the army, and has remained so...
were grouped as 56th (London) Brigade
British 56th Infantry Brigade
The British Army's 56th Infantry Brigade was originally a Kitchener's Army brigade within 19th Division during the First World War.Later during the Second World War it was reformed on 15 February 1944 in the United Kingdom....
from 1987 to 1993.
First World War
August 1914- 1st London Infantry Brigade
- 1st London RegimentLondon RegimentThe London Regiment is a Territorial Army regiment in the British Army. It was first formed in 1908 in order to regiment the various Volunteer Force battalions in the newly formed County of London, each battalion having a distinctive uniform. The Volunteer Force was merged with the Yeomanry in 1908...
- 2nd London Regiment
- 3rd London Regiment
- 4th London Regiment
- 1st London Regiment
- 2nd London Infantry Brigade
- 5th London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
- 6th London Regiment
- 7th London Regiment
- 8th London Regiment (Post Office RiflesPost Office RiflesThe Post Office Rifles was a unit of the British Army, first formed in 1868 from volunteers. The unit evolved several times until 1921, after which the name was lost during one of many reorganisations.-Beginnings:...
)
- 3rd London Infantry Brigade
- 9th London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles)
- 10th London Regiment
- 11th London Regiment
- 12th London Regiment (The Rangers)
- 2nd County of London YeomanryCounty of London YeomanrySeveral British Army regiments have born the title County of London Yeomanry . Most have been mounted, then armoured regiments.-1st County of London Yeomanry:...
- 1st City of London Brigade RFARFAThe abbreviation RFA could stand for:* Radio Free Asia* Radiofrequency ablation* Red Faction: Armageddon* Refractor 2 File Archive* Regional Facilitating Agency* Regional Forestry Agreement* Regulatory Flexibility Act* Renewable Fuels Agency...
- 2nd London Brigade RFA
- 3rd London Brigade RFA
- 4th London Brigade RFA
- 1st London Field Company Royal Engineers1st London Field Company Royal EngineersThe 1st London Field Company, Royal Engineers was a Territorial engineer unit of the British Army active during World War I. On formation in 1908 it was part of 56th Division. The company was based in Bethnal Green in London....
- 2nd London Field Company RE
Second World War
The division comprised four infantryInfantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
s:
- 167th (London) Infantry BrigadeBritish 1st London Infantry BrigadeThe 1st London Infantry Brigade was a 1st Line Territorial Army brigade during the Second World War.- History :As the 1st London Infantry Brigade it was part of the British 1st London Division....
- 8th Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
- 9th Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
- 7th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light InfantryOxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light InfantryThe Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Army.The regiment was formed as a consequence of Childers reforms, a continuation of the Cardwell reforms, by the amalgamation of the 43rd Regiment of Foot and the 52nd Regiment of Foot , forming the 1st...
- 168th (London) Brigade
- 1st London Scottish Regiment
- 1st London Irish RiflesLondon Irish RiflesThe London Irish Rifles is now known more formally known as "D Company, London Regiment" and is a volunteer Rifle Regiment with a distinguished history...
- 10th Royal Berkshire RegimentRoyal Berkshire RegimentThe Royal Berkshire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 49th Regiment of Foot and the 66th Regiment of Foot.The regiment was originally formed as The Princess Charlotte of Wales's , taking the...
- 1st Welch RegimentWelch RegimentThe Welch Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1969.-History:It was formed as the Welsh Regiment during the Childers Reforms of 1881, by the amalgamation of the 41st Regiment of Foot and the 69th Regiment of Foot...
- 169th (London) Infantry Brigade
- 2nd/5th Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)The Queen's Royal Regiment was a regiment of the English and later British Army from 1661 to 1959. It was the senior English line infantry regiment of the British Army, behind only the Royal Scots in the British Army line infantry order of precedence...
- 2nd/6th Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
- 2nd/7th Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
- 2nd/5th Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
- 201st Guards Motor Brigade
- 3rd Coldstream GuardsColdstream GuardsHer Majesty's Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards, also known officially as the Coldstream Guards , is a regiment of the British Army, part of the Guards Division or Household Division....
- 6th Grenadier GuardsGrenadier GuardsThe Grenadier Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army. It is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division and, as such, is the most senior regiment of infantry. It is not, however, the most senior regiment of the Army, this position being attributed to the Life Guards...
- 3rd Coldstream Guards
The 24th Guards Brigade was assigned to the Division in Italy on 18 February 1945.
First World War
- Battle of the Somme – 1 July 1916 – 18 November 1916
- First day on the SommeFirst day on the SommeThe first day on the Somme, 1 July 1916, was the opening day of the Battle of Albert, which was the first phase of the British and French offensive that became known as the Battle of the Somme...
– 1 July 1916
- First day on the Somme
Second World War
- Enfidaville – 19 April 1943 – 29 April 1943
- Tunis – 5 May 1943 – 12 May 1943
- Salerno – 9 September 1943 – 18 September 1943
- Capture of Naples – 22 September 1943 – 1 October 1943
- Volturno Crossing – 12 October 1943 – 15 October 1943
- Monte Camino – 5 November 1943 – 9 December 1943
- Garigliano Crossing – 17 January 1944 – 31 January 1944
- Anzio – 22 January 1944 – 22 May 1944
- Gothic Line – 25 August 1944 – 22 September 1944
- Coriano – 3 September 1944 – 15 September 1944
- Rimini Line – 14 September 1944 – 21 September 1944
- Lamone Crossing – 2 December 1944 – 13 December 1944
- Argenta Gap – 12 April 1945 – 21 April 1945
See also
- British Divisions in World War IIBritish Divisions in World War IIThis page is a list of British Army divisions that fought in World War II.-Armoured:*Guards Armoured Division*1st Armoured Division*2nd Armoured Division - Formed 15 December 1939 in the UK. Served in Egypt from January 1941 until March 1941 and from April 1941 until May 1941, and in Libya from...
- British Army Order of Battle - September 1939