British 8th Armoured Brigade
Encyclopedia
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
brigade, formed in August 1941 during the Second World War and active until 1956. The brigade was formed by the re-designation of 6th Cavalry Brigade
6th Cavalry Brigade (United Kingdom)
The 6th Cavalry Brigade was part of the 1st Cavalry Division , which was a British Army First World War and Second World War formation formed in 1939 from Yeomanry Regiments.- History in World War Two :...
when the 1st Cavalry Division based in Palestine (of which it was part), converted from a motorised formation (they had been horse-mounted up to January 1940) to an armoured one.
North Africa and Tunisia
In February 1942 the 8 Armoured Brigade moved to the Khatatba region of the Western Desert and after a period of training, the Brigade first went into action at the end of August 1942 at Bir Ridge at the Battle of Alam el Halfa.The next major engagement the Brigade was involved in was Operation Supercharge.
Operation Supercharge
Following the First Battle of El Alamein, which had stalled the Axis advance, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery took command of the British Eighth Army from General Claude Auchinleck
Claude Auchinleck
Field Marshal Sir Claude John Eyre Auchinleck, GCB, GCIE, CSI, DSO, OBE , nicknamed "The Auk", was a British army commander during World War II. He was a career soldier who spent much of his military career in India, where he developed a love of the country and a lasting affinity for the soldiers...
in August 1942.
For the first night of the offensive, Montgomery planned that four infantry divisions from Oliver Leese's XXX Corps would advance on a 16 miles (26 km) front to an objective codenamed the Oxalic Line, overrunning the forward Axis defences. Engineers would meanwhile clear and mark two lanes through the minefields, through which the armoured divisions from Herbert Lumsden's X Corps would pass to gain the Skinflint Report Line, where they would check and report their progress, and the Pierson Bound where they would rally and temporarily consolidate their position in the depths of the Axis defences until the infantry battle had been won.
Now under command of Brigadier Edward C.N. Custance, the Brigade was equipped with a number of different tanks (24 Crusaders, 57 Grants, 31 Shermans) when it took part in Operation Supercharge, better known as the Battle of El Alamein
Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. The battle took place over 20 days from 23 October – 11 November 1942. The First Battle of El Alamein had stalled the Axis advance. Thereafter, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery...
. Part of the Brigade, The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers)
Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry
The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry is one of the five squadrons of the Royal Yeomanry , an armoured regiment of the Territorial Army. Designated as 'S' Squadron, the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry's current role is to support the Formation Reconnaissance Regiments and the Joint Chemical Biological Nuclear...
, found a gap in the enemy defences and an attack was made which completely broke through and started the rout of the Afrika Korps
Afrika Korps
The German Africa Corps , or the Afrika Korps as it was popularly called, was the German expeditionary force in Libya and Tunisia during the North African Campaign of World War II...
. The Brigade was next ordered to find the southern flank of the enemy. Driving across country it moved into the desert reaching the Coast Road at Galal and the German retreat was cut in two. Here the Brigade destroyed 54 tanks and a large number of enemy guns and transport without loss to themselves and in addition took 1000 prisoners.
Early in November the Brigade had reached the defences at Mersa Matruh and were ordered to halt and the rest of 8th Army
Eighth Army (United Kingdom)
The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations of the British Army during World War II, fighting in the North African and Italian campaigns....
moved past. 10th Armoured Division was now ordered back to Egypt taking 1st Royal Horse Artillery (R.H.A) with them, leaving 8 Armoured Brigade to become an independent brigade. At the end of November the brigade came under the command of the 7th Armoured Division, the famous Desert Rats and were involved in the battles around El Agheila
El Agheila
El Agheila is a coastal city at the bottom of the Gulf of Sidra in far western Cyrenaica, Libya. In 1988 it was placed in Ajdabiya District; between 1995 and 2001 the district name is not known; however, it was again placed into Ajdabiya District in 2001...
. This battle opened the road past Marble Arch to Nofaliya, which was entered without opposition.
The Brigade was then rested before being attached to the 2nd New Zealand Division for the campaign in Tunisia.
The Brigade Order Of Battle at this time was
- 3rd Battalion, the Royal Tank RegimentRoyal Tank RegimentThe Royal Tank Regiment is an armoured regiment of the British Army. It was formerly known as the Tank Corps and the Royal Tank Corps. It is part of the Royal Armoured Corps and is made up of two operational regiments, the 1st Royal Tank Regiment and the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment...
- The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers)Sherwood Rangers YeomanryThe Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry is one of the five squadrons of the Royal Yeomanry , an armoured regiment of the Territorial Army. Designated as 'S' Squadron, the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry's current role is to support the Formation Reconnaissance Regiments and the Joint Chemical Biological Nuclear...
- Staffordshire Yeomanry
- 1st Battalion The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)The Buffs , formerly the 3rd Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army until 1961. It had a history dating back to 1572 and was one of the oldest regiments in the British Army being third in order of precedence...
- 1st Royal Horse ArtilleryRoyal Horse ArtilleryThe regiments of the Royal Horse Artillery , dating from 1793, are part of the Royal Regiment of Artillery of the British Army...
- 297th (Kent Yeomanry), Royal Artillery
Tunisia and the Mareth Line
The Brigade now passed from the command of XXX Corps to the New Zealand Corps, with 2nd New Zealand Division and the Free French, General Philippe Leclerc de HauteclocquePhilippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque
Philippe François Marie, comte de Hauteclocque, then Leclerc de Hauteclocque, by a 1945 decree that incorporated his French Resistance alias Jacques-Philippe Leclerc to his name, , was a French general during World War II...
's forces from Chad
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
(L Force) and the 1st Free French Brigade
1st Free French Division
The 1st Free French Division was one of the principal units of the Free French Forces during World War II, and the first Free French unit of divisional size.-World War II:...
.
The Brigade was now able to take advantage of the new equipment coming into the theatre and it became normal in the brigade to allocate Infantry Companies to Armoured Regiments, forming Armoured Regimental Groups. At the start of operations at the Mareth Line
Mareth Line
The Mareth Line was a system of fortifications built by the French between the towns of Medenine and Gabès in southern Tunisia, prior to World War II...
, the Brigade was formed as follows;
| 3rd Royal Tank Regiment | Nottinghamshire Yeomanry | Staffordshire Yeomanry |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Sherman tanks | 23 Sherman tanks | 28 Sherman tanks |
| 4 Grant tanks | 4 Grant tanks | 3 Grant tanks |
| 22 Crusader tanks | 19 Crusader tanks | 19 Crusader tanks |
| 8 Armoured cars | 6 Armoured cars | 7 Armoured cars |
| B Coy 1st Buffs | A Coy 1st Buffs | C Coy 1st Buffs |
The frontal attack on the Mareth line had failed, and the weight of the attack was now to be thrown into the Left Hook and the 1st Armoured Division was despatched to reinforce the New Zealand Corps. On 26 March the Brigade was launched towards El Hamma
El Hamma
El Hamma is an oasis town located in the Gabès Governorate, 30 kilometers west of Gabès, Tunisia. Its population in 2004 was 34,835....
, and in the ensuing battle they penetrated deep into the Switch Line. Having gained all their objectives, the Brigade drove through the gap which had been made. The enemy now withdrew north-westwards from the Mareth Line.
The next action was 6 April, the Battle of Wadi Akarit
Battle of Wadi Akarit
The Battle of Wadi Akarit was the successful Allied action on 6 and 7 April 1943 to dislodge Axis forces from their positions along the Wadi Akarit in Tunisia . At this point, known as the Gabès Gap, north of the towns of Gabès and El Hamma, there is a narrow land gap between the sea and...
, where the brigade first came up against the Tiger I
Tiger I
Tiger I is the common name of a German heavy tank developed in 1942 and used in World War II. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. E, often shortened to Tiger. It was an answer to the unexpectedly formidable Soviet armour encountered in the initial months of...
, (Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger I). The Brigade, still supporting 2nd New Zealand Division, was next involved in the battles at Enfidaville and Takrouna. On 15 January the attack on the Buerat - Bungem line was launched. Then followed battles against a series of rear-guard positions at Wadi Zem Zem, where anti-tank guns and tanks were dug in on the reverse slope and Sedada and at Tarhuna where the hilly nature of the country assisted the delaying tactics of the enemy. Tarhuna was the first town occupied by civilians to be captured by the Brigade and it was surrendered by the Burgomaster to the Staffordshire Yeomanry.
On 23 January the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment entered Tripoli in the wake of the 11th Hussars. On 24 January a composite force consisting of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, 1st Buffs, 5th Royal Horse Artillery and 7th Medium Regiment R.A. advanced to the Zavia area, southwest of Tripoli.
Following the Capitulation of the Axis forces in North Africa, the regiment was transferred to Britain where it prepared to take part in the Allied invasion of Europe.
Operation Overlord D-Day
Order of Battle D-Day
- 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards4th/7th Royal Dragoon GuardsThe 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards was a cavalry regiment of the British Army from 1922 to 1992.It was formed in India in 1922 by the amalgamation of the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards and 7th Dragoon Guards , as the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards; it gained the distinction Royal in 1935...
(4/7 DG) - 24th Lancers24th LancersThe 24th Lancers was a cavalry regiment of the British Army from 1940 to 1944.- Origins :The regiment was raised in December 1940 from a cadre of personnel taken from the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers and the 17th/21st Lancers, and was assigned to 29th Armoured Brigade of 11th Armoured Division...
(24L) - The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers)Sherwood Rangers YeomanryThe Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry is one of the five squadrons of the Royal Yeomanry , an armoured regiment of the Territorial Army. Designated as 'S' Squadron, the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry's current role is to support the Formation Reconnaissance Regiments and the Joint Chemical Biological Nuclear...
(SRY) - 147th Field Regiment (Essex Yeomanry) Royal Artillery
- 12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps
- 168 (City of London) Light Field Ambulance
- 552 Company Royal Army Service CorpsRoyal Army Service CorpsThe Royal Army Service Corps was a corps of the British Army. It was responsible for land, coastal and lake transport; air despatch; supply of food, water, fuel, and general domestic stores such as clothing, furniture and stationery ; administration of...
- 8 Armoured Brigade Workshops R.E.M.E.
- 265 Forward Delivery Squadron.
Gold Beach
Gold Beach was the Allied codename for the centre invasion beach during the Allied invasion of Normandy, 6 June 1944. It lay between Omaha Beach and Juno Beach, was 8 km wide and divided into four sectors. From west to east they were How, Item, Jig, and King.The task of invading Gold Beach was given to the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, with the 8 Armoured Brigade in support, both under the British 2nd Army
British Second Army
The British Second Army was active during both the First and Second World Wars. During the First World War the army was active on the Western Front and in Italy...
. The beach was assaulted by the brigades of the 50th Infantry Division with units from the 8 Armoured Brigade in support.
The 231st Infantry Brigade, followed by the 56th Infantry Brigade, landed in the west, with DD tanks from The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) in support. The assault battalions were the 1st Bn The Hampshire Regiment on How and the 1st Bn The Dorset Regiment on Item.
The 69th Infantry Brigade, followed by 151st Infantry Brigade, landed in the east with DD tanks from the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards
4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards
The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards was a cavalry regiment of the British Army from 1922 to 1992.It was formed in India in 1922 by the amalgamation of the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards and 7th Dragoon Guards , as the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards; it gained the distinction Royal in 1935...
in support. The assault battalions were the 5th Btn East Yorkshire Regiment
East Yorkshire Regiment
The East Yorkshire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, first raised in 1685 as Sir William Clifton's Regiment of Foot. It saw service for three centuries, before being amalgamated with the West Yorkshire Regiment , becoming The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of...
on Jig and the 6th Btn The Green Howards
The Green Howards
The Green Howards was an infantry regiment of the British Army, in the King's Division...
on King.
Their primary objective was to seize the town of Bayeux, the Caen-Bayeux road, and the port of Arromanches with the secondary objectives being to make contact with the Americans landing at Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach is the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during World War II...
to the West and the Canadians landing at Juno Beach
Juno Beach
Juno or Juno Beach was one of five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during the Second World War. The sector spanned from Saint-Aubin, a village just east of the British Gold sector, to Courseulles, just west of the British Sword sector...
to the East. The German 716th Static Infantry Division
German 716th Static Infantry Division
The 716th Static Infantry Division was a World War II, German Army Division. It was raised on May 2 1941 and sent to German-occupied France in June 1941. Many of the Division's troops were elderly Germans and conscripts from other German occupied countries, especially Russians...
commanded by Generalleutnant Wilhelm Richter, and elements of the 1st Battalion of the German 352nd Infantry Division
German 352nd Infantry Division
The 352nd Infantry Division was a formation of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. A western front unit, the 352nd became notable for its tenacious defense of Omaha Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944.-Formation and strengths:...
commanded by Generalleutnant Dietrich Kraiss, defended the Channel coast for the Germans. H-Hour for the Gold beach landing was set for 0725 hours.
The Brigade was now under the command of Brigadier Brigadier Bernard Cracroft. In order to even out the Regiments with recent battle experience among Brigades which had not fought since France in 1940, some changes were made to the Brigades order of battle.
The Landings
For the first time in history, tanks were to lead an assault from the sea on all sectors of the beaches. The secret of the "Duplex Drive" had been well kept, for the German appreciation was that they would have no tanks thrown against them during the first five hours.Unfortunately the sea conditions in the 50th Division sector were adjudged too rough and the tanks were not launched 2 miles out as planned but a couple of hundred yards from the shore. In spite of this, the 4/7 DG lost 5 and the SRY 8 in the breakers. Throughout the day both Regiments had all three squadrons continually committed, supporting in turn 231st Infantry Brigade
British 231st Infantry Brigade
.- History :The 231st Infantry Brigade was a Second World War British Army unit, originally formed from the 1st Malta Brigade.It was composed of regular British Army battalions, was stationed on Malta at the start of the Second World War...
, 151st Infantry Brigade and 69th Infantry Brigades. Night fell with all objectives obtained, all tanks committed and no reserves on shore.
Operation Perch
Operation Perch was the second major attempt to capture the city of Caen after the direct attacks by the 3rd Infantry Division on 6–7 June failed. The plan envisioned I Corps and XXX Corps striking south to encircle the city and for the landing of the 1st Airborne Division, codenamed Operation Wild Oats. I Corps would form the eastern pincer, XXX Corps the western and the paratroopers would land between both Corps to complete the encirclement of the city and to prevent any German withdrawal from Caen.The 51st (Highland) Division from I Corps was to push south out of the Orne bridgehead to capture the town of Cagny six miles southeast of Caen. 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division with 8 Armoured Brigade from XXX Corps were ordered to strike south from their lodgement created on 6 June to capture the town of Bayeux (another D-Day objective which had not been captured) and then capture the town of Tilly-sur-Seulles
Tilly-sur-Seulles
-External links:*...
. Once Tilly-sur-Seulles had been captured the 7th Armoured Division would pass through the 50th (Northumbrian) and push south to capture the town of Villers-Bocage
Villers-Bocage, Calvados
-External links:* *...
before turning east to capture the town of Evrecy
Évrecy
-References:*...
.
During the remainder of the month the Brigade was deployed in support of 49th and 50th Divisions. Fighting was almost continuous in the area Rauray - Vendes- Tessel Wood and Fontenay
Fontenay
Fontenay can refer to:a person*Charles L. Fontenay, journalist and science-fiction writer*Jean-Baptiste Belin de Fontenay I, French paintera battle* Battle of Fontenay , during the Carolingian civil war...
, Lingevres
Lingèvres
-References:*...
, Christot and Le Parc du Bois Londes.
Casualties were heavy and 124 tanks were put out of action in 25 days. The Brigade claimed 86 tanks and Self Propelled Guns destroyed, knocked out or captured during the same period.
Order of Battle 1944 - 45
- 4th/7th Dragoon Guards (4/7 DG)
- 13th/18th Hussars (13/18 H)
- The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers)Sherwood Rangers YeomanryThe Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry is one of the five squadrons of the Royal Yeomanry , an armoured regiment of the Territorial Army. Designated as 'S' Squadron, the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry's current role is to support the Formation Reconnaissance Regiments and the Joint Chemical Biological Nuclear...
(SRY) - 147 Field Regiment RA (Essex YeomanryEssex YeomanryThe Essex Yeomanry was a yeomanry regiment of the British Army raised in 1797. The regiment recruited volunteers from the county of Essex in the East of England.-Origins:...
) - 12th Bn (Queen's Westminsters) The King's Royal Rifle CorpsKing's Royal Rifle CorpsThe King's Royal Rifle Corps was a British Army infantry regiment, originally raised in colonial North America as the Royal Americans, and recruited from American colonists. Later ranked as the 60th Regiment of Foot, the regiment served for more than 200 years throughout the British Empire...
(K.R.R.C.)
The 13th/18th Hussars had now joined the Brigade from the disbanded 27th Armoured Brigade instead of the disbanded 24th Lancers. Brigadier Erroll Prior-Palmer, the former commander of the disbanded 27th Armoured Brigade, assumed command of 8 Armoured Brigade.
The orders for the next battle were being given out. The Brigade less 13th/18th Hussars was to support the 43rd (Wessex) Division. The 13th/18th Hussars were to support the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, whose objective was the ridge known as Butte du Mont a Vent, ground which dominated that over which the rest of the Brigade were to fight.
The 13/18 H with 50th Division captured Amaye sur Seulles while the SRY with the 7th The Hampshire Regiment mounted on their tanks captured Jurques. La Bigne
La Bigne
La Bigne is a commune in the Calvados department in the Basse-Normandie region in northwestern France.-Population:-References:*...
and Loisonniers were also both secured and in fighting around Le Plessis Grimault, the Brigade then captured the first Tiger II
Tiger II
Tiger II is the common name of a German heavy tank of the Second World War. The final official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B,Panzerkampfwagen – abbr: Pz. or Pz.Kfw. Ausführung – abbr: Ausf. .The full titles Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf...
which had ever been encountered.
Under the command of 50th Northumbrian, the 4/7 DG were involved in very heavy fighting in the capture of St Pierre La Vieille. The drive south to Conde sur Noireau or Operation Black-water followed. The continuous fighting in support, alternately, of two divisions had its effect, casualties had been heavy. The 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards
5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards
The 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards was a cavalry regiment of the British Army in existence from 1922 to 1992, when it was amalgmated into the Royal Dragoon Guards.-The beginning:...
and the 86th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry
Hertfordshire Yeomanry
The Hertfordshire Yeomanry is a British Army unit specializing in artillery and yeomanry that can trace its formation to the late 18th century. First seeing service in the Boer War, it subsequently served in both World Wars....
) Field Regiment Royal Artillery, who like the Essex Yeomanry had self-propelled 25 pounders, were placed under command.
On 17 August, again under 43rd Division, the Sherwood Rangers were involved in the crossing of the River Noireau. By the evening of the 17th the infantry had joined them in the St Honorine area, well beyond the river, and a great battle which had lasted for nineteen days and had caused many casualties, came to an end.
Crossing the Seine
The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards carried out an operation to clear the forest of Laigle and then pressed on to the Seine at Vernon. For three whole days the remainder of the Brigade remained static.The river-crossing operation which followed was mounted from a point 120 miles west of the river. The 43rd Division completed the approach march in 36 hours, crossing the 200 yard wide river from the centre of Vernon
Vernon
-USA:*Vernon, Alabama*Vernon, California*Lake Vernon, California*Vernon, Colorado*Vernon, Connecticut*Vernon, Florida*Vernon, Illinois*Vernon, Indiana*Vernon Parish, Louisiana*Vernon, Michigan...
within 2 hours of their arrival. The assault, led by the tanks of the 4/7 DG on rafts, was launched at 1900hrs on 25 August under an intense artillery barrage and smoke screen. Other tanks drove down all streets leading to the West bank at zero hour opening fire at point blank range across the river.
Casualties in men and equipment were considerable, but within 72 hours the bridgehead was over 4 miles deep and the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
had constructed a 680 foot folding bridge over which the remaining tanks of the 4/7 DG were able to cross.
Now the Brigade was again to be given an independent role. Instructions from General Horrocks
Brian Horrocks
Lieutenant-General Sir Brian Gwynne Horrocks, KCB, KBE, DSO, MC was a British Army officer. He is chiefly remembered as the commander of XXX Corps in Operation Market Garden and other operations during the Second World War...
were to cross the river immediately, to fork right and open up the route to the Somme
Somme
Somme is a department of France, located in the north of the country and named after the Somme river. It is part of the Picardy region of France....
for the Guards Armoured Division.
The SRY, 12th K.R.R.C and 13/18 H were moved across on the afternoon of 28 August, at the same time the 4/7 DG reverted to Brigade command. At dawn on 29 August the Brigade advanced. The axis lay along the valley of the tributary river Epte
Epte
The Epte is a river in Seine-Maritime and Eure, in Normandy, France. It is a right tributary of the Seine.The river rises in Seine-Maritime in the Pays de Bray, near Forges-les-Eaux...
towards Dangu and Gisors
Gisors
Gisors is a commune in the metropolitan area of Paris, France. It is located northwest from the center of Paris.Gisors, together with the neighbouring communes of Trie-Château and Trie-la-Ville, form an urban area of 12,669 inhabitants...
, the road dominated by high ground on both sides. The SRY made a left flanking attack through the Bois de Baquet to come in behind the enemy at St Remy, the 13/18 H reached Dangu by nightfall. The next morning the 4/7 DG took the lead and entered Gisors
Gisors
Gisors is a commune in the metropolitan area of Paris, France. It is located northwest from the center of Paris.Gisors, together with the neighbouring communes of Trie-Château and Trie-la-Ville, form an urban area of 12,669 inhabitants...
unopposed.
On 31 August the Brigade joined up with 11th Armoured Division on the Somme at Amiens
Amiens
Amiens is a city and commune in northern France, north of Paris and south-west of Lille. It is the capital of the Somme department in Picardy...
and next morning the Brigade crossed on a narrow bridge to the west of Amiens and continued the advance on the left of the 11th Armoured Division.
By evening the 13/18 H were through Doullens
Doullens
Doullens is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.Its inhabitants are called Doullennais and Doullennaises.-Geography:...
where a rearguard action had been fought at the crossing of the river Authie. The 4/7 DG had experienced some fighting at Vignacourt
Vignacourt
Vignacourt is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Vignacourt is situated northwest of Amiens, on the D12 and D49 junction.-Population:-External links:*...
and Canapples on the left but by evening they too were up to the Authie.
The XXX Corps continued its advance with Guards Armoured Division to the right and 11th Armoured Division to the left. A column composed of 8 Armoured Brigade with 50th Reconnaissance Regiment
Reconnaissance Corps
The Reconnaissance Corps or simply Recce Corps was a short-lived elite corps of the British Army whose units provided the mobile spearhead of infantry divisions from the Far East to Europe during the Second World War. It was formed from Infantry Brigade Reconnaissance Groups on 14 January 1941...
and the 9th Durham Light Infantry
Durham Light Infantry
The Durham Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1968. It was formed by the amalgamation of the 68th Regiment of Foot and the 106th Regiment of Foot along with the militia and rifle volunteers of County Durham...
under command provided left flank protection. Two squadrons of the 4/7 DG and two companies of the 12th K.R.R.C reached the centre of Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
, the fourth biggest town in France, without further enemy opposition.
Beyond Brussel and Antwerp
While Brussels and Antwerp had been liberated by the Guards Armoured Division and 11th Armoured Division, German troops were reported moving east in northern Belgium. The 8 Armoured Brigade, with elements of 50th Northumbrian Division were deployed to form a flank guard screen between LilleLille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
and Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...
.
On 7 September orders were received for the Brigade to march with all speed to the Albert Canal
Albert Canal
The Albert Canal is a canal located in northeastern Belgium, named after King Albert I of Belgium. It connects the major cities Antwerp and Liège and the Meuse and Scheldt rivers. It has a depth of , a free height of and a total length of...
at Beringen
Beringen
Beringen is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. The Beringen municipality includes the town of Beringen proper and the old communes of Beverlo, Koersel, and Paal.-Origins:...
to support the Guards Armoured Division in an attempt to turn the left flank of German 719th Division who were holding the north bank. The Sherwood Rangers were placed under the command of 50th Northumbrian Division to assault across the Canal further west at Gheel. By midday on 8 September the leading elements of the 4/7 DG and 12th K.R.R.C were over the canal. The Brigade was now stood down the first period of rest since D-Day.
Market Garden
Operation Market Garden (17 – 25 September 1944) was intended to secure a series of bridges over the main rivers of the German-occupied Netherlands to allow rapid advance by armoured units through large-scale use of airborne forces.The operation was initially successful with the capture of the Waal bridge at Nijmegen on 20 September. But it was a failure overall since the planned Allied advance across the Rhine at Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
had to be abandoned. The British 1st Airborne Division
British 1st Airborne Division
The 1st Airborne Division was a division of the British airborne forces during the Second World War. The division was formed in 1941, after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill demanded an airborne force...
did not secure the bridge at Arnhem, and although they managed to hold out near the bridge far longer than planned, the British XXX Corps failed to relieve them.
After four days of rest, the Brigade moved off after the Guards Armoured Division who were to link up with the Airborne forces which had dropped at Eindhoven, Grave, Nijmegen and Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
in operation "Market Garden". A night march brought the 4/7 DG to Nijmegen where the bridges over the Waal had been captured the previous day by the 82nd Airborne Division supported by the Guards Armoured Division.
On the evening of 23 September B Sqn of the 4/7 DG, carrying troops from the 5th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1959. Its lineage is continued today by The Rifles....
on their tanks, formed a column and having broken the ring round the Nijmegen bridge moved at speed round the west of Elst for the north edge of "The Island" opposite Arnhem. The plan succeeded and shortly after dark the leading Troop made contact with the Polish paratroops who were on the south bank of the Neder Rijn and the much needed stores and ammunition were handed over in DUKW
DUKW
The DUKW is a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck that was designed by a partnership under military auspices of Sparkman & Stephens and General Motors Corporation during World War II for transporting goods and troops over land and water and for use approaching and crossing beaches in amphibious...
s.
The 13/18 H were involved in operations against the village of Elst
Elst
Elst is the name of a number of towns:*Elst; a village and former municipality, now part of Overbetuwe, in Gelderland*Elst; a village in the municipality of Rhenen, in the province of Utrecht*Elst; a village in the municipality of Maasdonk, in North Brabant...
with the 4th Wiltshire Regiment
Wiltshire Regiment
The Wiltshire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 62nd Regiment of Foot and the 99th Duke of Edinburgh's Regiment of Foot....
, and also in the clearing of ground to the West with 130th Infantry Brigade. To the southeast of Nijmegen, the SRY made history in company with the US 82nd Airborne Division by capturing the village of Beek and established themselves as the first British troops to enter Germany.
The Brigade now became responsible for the "Western Approaches" and the 12th K.R.R.C. and 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment
Reconnaissance Corps
The Reconnaissance Corps or simply Recce Corps was a short-lived elite corps of the British Army whose units provided the mobile spearhead of infantry divisions from the Far East to Europe during the Second World War. It was formed from Infantry Brigade Reconnaissance Groups on 14 January 1941...
, were deployed in defence along an extended front which was subject to frequent raids.
October was spent on the defensive. On 18 October the formation handed over the responsibilities for the "Western Approaches" to the US 101st Airborne Division
101st Airborne Division
The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
and took over a similar responsibility on the "Western Approaches" to Nijmegen. Throughout the period one regiment supported the 43rd Division to the southeast of Nijmegen overlooking the Reichswald Forest, one regiment remained with the US 101st Airborne Division
101st Airborne Division
The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
and the third rested west of the town.
The line held by 8 Armoured Brigade was approximately 15 miles in length along the Maas and the Waal. The troops consisted of the 12th K.R.R.C., 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment, a Sqn of the RAF Regiment
RAF Regiment
The Royal Air Force Regiment is a specialist airfield defence corps founded by Royal Warrant in 1942. After a 32 week trainee gunner course, its members are trained and equipped to prevent a successful enemy attack in the first instance; minimise the damage caused by a successful attack; and...
and members of the Dutch Resistance
Dutch resistance
Dutch resistance to the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II can be mainly characterized by its prominent non-violence, summitting in over 300,000 people in hiding in the autumn of 1944, tended to by some 60,000 to 200,000 illegal landlords and caretakers and tolerated knowingly...
.
At the conclusion of the battle, the Brigade now became Corps mobile reserve.
Operation Blackcock
The Brigade was now under the command of XII Corps. The next operation known as “Blackcock” was to begin as soon as the ground, by now completely snow covered, would carry tanks. Its object was to destroy all German troops east of the Koer between Roermond, Geilenkirchen and Sittard. The SRY were to support 52nd (Lowland) Division in a frontal attack while the rest of the Brigade with 155th Infantry Brigade under command, were to operate independently under 7th Armoured Division. The plan was to follow close on the heels of the 7th Armoured Division, break-out at the northern end of the line and then to turn sharp right, coming down behind all the German positions confronting 52nd (Lowland) Division.
The 4/7 DG fought their way forward throughout the night of the 18 And crossed the brook with success, by morning they were on the outskirts of Konigsbosch. Further efforts were made to cross throughout the day but they had to be abandoned due to enemy resistance. The operations of the 4/7 DG with the 4th The King's Own Scottish Borderers in the rear of the German line had great effect and the frontal attack by 52nd (Lowland) Division met with little resistance. On the evening of 19 January the SRY made contact with the 4/7 DG.
The remainder of the Brigade was withdrawn and came under command 52nd (Lowland) Division, and the 13/18 H were pushed through to exploit the success of the other two regiments.
Reichwald Forest
The Reichswald ForestKlever Reichswald
The Klever Reichswald is an Imperial forest near Kleve in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany between the Rivers Rhine and Maas at the Dutch/German border...
lies in Germany, to the east of Nijmegen and between the Rivers Rhine and Maas
Meuse River
The Maas or Meuse is a major European river, rising in France and flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands before draining into the North Sea...
. The area is wooded and liable to flooding. In 1945, the winter had been wet and the German defenders had allowed the rivers to flood, thus negating the Allied advantages in armour and manpower. They had also had some weeks to prepare their defences and towns had been turned into fortresses.
The Brigade reverted to the command of XXX Corps and moved north via Turnhout. Within a week the concentration of troops was complete and at 0530 hours on the morning of 8 February the greatest bombardment in history was opened up. Every type and size of weapon took part in a bombardment which lasted five hours. All tanks of the brigade fired an average of 300 rounds per gun. Progress was made on all fronts for the first six miles but 53rd (Welsh) Division failed to capture Cleve
Cleve
-Surname:* Astrid Cleve , Swedish biologist, geologist, chemist and researcher, first woman in Sweden to obtain a doctorate in science* Bastian Clevé , German film director...
and the important Marterborn feature. 43rd Division with the 8 Armoured Brigade in support were brought up and after a fight, Cleve was in British hands. The 4/7 DG and the 214th Infantry Brigade fought through Marterborn to the ground overlooking the Cleve — Goch Railway.
The German reaction was to blow the dykes along the Rhine and masses of water swept across the flat valley, subsidiary dykes burst and the link with Nijmegen, the road through Kranenburg
Kranenburg
Kranenburg is the name of* Kranenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, municipality in the district Cleves, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany,* Kranenburg, Lower Saxony, municipality in the district Stade, Lower Saxony, Germany....
, was flooded to a depth of 3 feet.
To the east of the Cleve, during four days and four nights, the Brigade supported each Infantry Brigade of the 43rd Division, in turn in a continuous assault on the position. On the fifth day the German resistance broke and the 4/7 DG with 214th Infantry Brigade took over 1000 prisoners.
The Brigade together with the 53rd (Welsh) division on 24 February began operations to drive southeast astride the river Niers and to capture Weeze
Weeze
Weeze is a municipality in the Lower Rhine region, in the north-western part of North Rhine-Westphalia in the district of Kleve in the region of Düsseldorf....
. Under difficult going a halt was called until the 51st (Highland) Division and 3rd British Division came up level. Two days later a further assault upon the Weeze defences was launched, supported by flame-throwing tanks. By dark the town was surrounded on three sides and during the night patrols entered the outskirts.
The Brigade less 13/18 H and with 1st Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
The 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...
under command advanced through Weeze by early afternoon and entered Kevelaer
Kevelaer
Kevelaer is a municipality in the district of Kleve, in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. It is the best visited Catholic pilgrimage location within north-western Europe. More than 800,000 pilgrims, mostly from Germany and the Netherlands, visit Kevelaer every year to honour the Virgin Mary.The...
early next morning and the 4/7 DG with 1st Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry pushed on to Geldern
Geldern
Geldern ) is a city in the northwest of the federal state North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is part of the district of Cleves, which is part of the Düsseldorfadministrative region.-Location:...
. On the outskirts of Geldern the 4/7 DG and B Coy, 12th K.R.R.C. encountered tank fire on the outskirts of Geldern and then discovered that their opponents were the leading elements of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. This constituted the first link-up between the British and American forces.
The following day the Brigade was informed they were required for Operation “Plunder”, the crossing of the Rhine.
Operation Plunder
Commencing on the night of 23 March 1945, Operation Plunder was the crossing of the Rhine river at Rees, Wesel, and south of the Lippe Canal by the British Second Army, under Lieutenant-General Sir Miles DempseyMiles Dempsey
General Sir Miles Christopher Dempsey, GBE, KCB, DSO, MC was commander of the British Second Army during the D-Day landings in the Second World War...
(Operation Turnscrew, Operation Widgeon, and Operation Torchlight), and the U.S. Ninth Army, (Operation Flashlight), under Lieutenant General William Simpson. XVIII U.S. Airborne Corps, consisting of British 6th Airborne Division
British 6th Airborne Division
The 6th Airborne Division was an airborne division in the British Army during the Second World War. It took part in Operation Tonga, the airborne landings on the left flank of the invasion beaches in the Normandy Landings. It played a small part in the Battle of the Bulge and was involved in...
and US 17th Airborne Division, conducted Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity was a successful joint American–British airborne operation that took place toward the end of World War II...
. All of these formations were part of the 21st Army Group under Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery. This was part of a coordinated set of Rhine crossings.
The 8 Armoured Brigade now had four Armoured Regiments, as the Staffordshire Yeomanry returned under Brigade command after they had converted to Duplex Drive tanks under the 79th Armoured Division
79th Armoured Division
The 79th Armoured Division was a specialist British Army armoured formation created as part of the preparations for the Normandy invasion of 6 June 1944...
. The Brigade was to support 51st (Highland) Division in the Rhine crossing.
On 23 March at 2100 hours, the leading elements of 51st (Highland) Division crossed the Rhine in assault craft just north of Rees
Rees, Germany
Rees is a town in the district of Cleves in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the right bank of the Rhine, approx. 20 km east of Cleves...
. They were followed by the DD tanks of C Sqn, Staffordshire Yeomanry. The remainder of the Regiment crossed at first light and were up with the infantry before any enemy counter-attack could be launched. On the evening of 24 March the 4/7 DG began to cross, followed in the next two days by the 13/18 H and the SRY. On 27 March Brigade HQ, 12th K.R.R.C. and the Essex Yeomanry made the crossing.
For seven days the Brigade then supported 51st (Highland) Division, 43rd Division and the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade who were involved in fighting within the bridgehead. On 28 March Ijsselburg was captured and the road from Anhoh to Gendringen
Gendringen
Gendringen is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is located in the municipality of Oude IJsselstreek, about 12 km southeast of Doetinchem and 20 km northwest of the German city Bocholt. It has approximately 4500 inhabitants....
was in allied hands.
KangaROOS
KangaROOS are an American brand of sneaker originally produced from 1979 through the 1980s, with a later revival that continues in present. They were notable for having a small zippered pocket on the side of the shoe, large enough for a small amount of loose change, keys, or more recently,...
(Armoured Pesonnel Carriers) under command moved forward. By evening the outskirts of Varsseveld
Varsseveld
Varsseveld is a town in the Netherlands, located in the Dutch municipality of Oude IJsselstreek. It is the hometown of football coach Guus Hiddink, and of cyclist Robert Gesink....
were reached and 12th K.R.R.C. were in Silvolde
Silvolde
Silvolde is a village in the Achterhoek and is part of the municipality Oude IJsselstreek.-Notable people from Silvolde:*Wim Mager , director of the Apenheul Primate Park...
.
The next objective was to seize a crossing of the Twente Canal at Lochem
Lochem
Lochem is a municipality and a city in the eastern Netherlands. it is also the hebrew word for soldier or warrior. On 1 January 2005, the municipality merged with the municipality of Gorssel.- Population centres :Small hamlets are printed in italics....
. At dawn 31 March a battle took place at Ruurlo
Ruurlo
Ruurlo is a former municipality and a town in the eastern part of the Netherlands in the province of Gelderland. It has a population of 8,676 in 2004....
, but the advance continued to Lochem
Lochem
Lochem is a municipality and a city in the eastern Netherlands. it is also the hebrew word for soldier or warrior. On 1 January 2005, the municipality merged with the municipality of Gorssel.- Population centres :Small hamlets are printed in italics....
and the Brigade covered twenty-five miles during the day.
The next objective was to capture crossings south of Delden
Delden
Delden is a city in the Dutch province of Overijssel and, since 2001, in the municipality of Hof van Twente.Although its population is small, it gained city rights in 1333. Castle Twickel is a famous landmark near Delden and the Baron van Heeckeren of Twickel built a watertower in Delden...
. The 12th K.R.R.C. advanced towards Delden, and the next day linked up with the forward troops of 4th Canadian Armoured Division advancing from their bridge-head over the Twente Canal. The advance continued with the oblective being Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
, still over 100 miles distant. The Brigade was next deployed to support 214th Infantry Brigade with 13/18 H and 129th Infantry Brigade with 4/7 DG. The SRY were placed in reserve with 130th Infantry Brigade.
On 11 April 130 Infantry Brigade and the SRY took the lead and two days later were on the outskirts of Kloppenburg
Kloppenburg
Kloppenburg may refer to :*JoAnne Kloppenburg, a Wisconsin assistant Attorney general*Bob Kloppenburg, an American professional basketball coach*Carlos Kloppenburg , a German-born Brazilian bishop of the Roman Catholic Church...
, where fighting continued into the night before the town fell. The last main road from Bremen to Holland had been severed. On the same day the 8 Armoured Brigade with 4/7 DG, 12th K.R.R.C. and Essex Yeomanry were placed under command of British 3rd Infantry Division
British 3rd Infantry Division
The 3rd Mechanised Division, known at various times as the Iron Division, 3rd Division or as Iron Sides; is a regular army division of the British Army...
some 75 miles away to the east. The SRY and 13/18 H were left with 43rd (Wessex) Division.
3rd Division were engaged with the enemy in the numerous villages south of Bremen and on 15 April a series of attacks began. After several days of fighting, 3rd Division had captured all the ground south of the flooded area. It was now decided to cross the Weser upstream at Verden
Verden
Verden can refer to:* Verden an der Aller, a town in Lower Saxony, Germany* Verden, Oklahoma, a small town in the USA* Verden , a district in Lower Saxony, Germany...
, where a bridge had been secured, and to attack Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
from the east.
The 52nd (Lowland) Division were to attack with their left on the river while 43rd Division were to be on their right supported by 8 Armoured Brigade less 4/7 DG who were to remain with 3rd Division.
Brigade HQ on 4 May was at the village of Rhadereistedt, when the following message was received from the Commander XXX Corps: ‘’Germans surrendered unconditionally at 1820 hours. Hostilities on all Second Army front will cease at 0800 hours tomorrow 5 May 45. NO repeat NO advance beyond present front line without orders from me.’’
Occupation of Hannover
The 8 Armoured Brigade was to proceed south and take over Hannover from the United States Army. Brigade HQ moved to the city on 17 May, the Regiments on 19 May, and the Brigade took over the responsibility for Hannover Stadtkreis and Landkreis on 22 May, from the US 84th Infantry Division.Hannover which had housed 475,000 inhabitants was now 75% destroyed and still held 300,000 Germans. All rail lines were severed and canals were filled with bridge wreckage, all important roads were cratered. A critical food situation was not simplified by the lack of officials, all prominent Nazis having decamped.
When some order had been restored it was found that the Brigade was responsible for 45,000 displaced persons of 22 nationalities in 361 camps. All were in rags and hungry, sanitation was a thing of the past and most of their huts were suffering from bomb damage. In addition there were 2.000 Polish former Prisoners of War whose condition was hardly better than the Displaced Persons and 22,000 German Prisoners of War.
To replace losses and changes the 107 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment R.A., 113 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment R.A, 5th Reconnaissance Regiment and 4th (Durham) Survey Regiment R.A. came under command of the Brigade. The Staffordshire Yeomanry
Staffordshire Yeomanry
The Staffordshire Yeomanry was a unit of the British Army.Raised in 1794 following Prime Minister William Pitt's order to raise volunteer bodies of men to defend Great Britain from foreign invasion, the Staffordshire Yeomanry began as volunteer cavalry regiment. It first served overseas at the...
returned to the Brigade and the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry also rejoined the formation at Hannover. The 13th/18th Hussars had left to join 5th Infantry Division in a permanent post-war role of Divisional Cavalry.
Soon the news was received that the Brigade was to disband and that the Yeomanry Regiments were to pass into a state of "suspended animation". At the end of January, the 12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps disbanded and during February all ranks of the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry and the Staffordshire Yeomanry were posted away or discharged. The Headquarters disbanded on 20 March 1946.
After the reformation of the Territorial Army in 1947, it joined the 49th Armoured Division
British 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division
This military division was formed on 1 April 1908 as the West Riding Division in the Territorial Force of the British Army.- First World War :...
as 8 (Yorkshire) Armoured Brigade. The Brigade left the 49th Division in 1956, and later disbanded.
8th (Yorkshire) Armoured Brigade - 1947
- Yorkshire Hussars, York
- Yorkshire Dragoons, Doncaster
- East Riding Yeomanry, Hull
- 45th (Leeds Rifles) Royal Tank Regiment45th (Leeds Rifles) Royal Tank RegimentThe 45th Royal Tank Regiment was an armoured regiment of the British Army during the Second World War. It was part of the Royal Tank Regiment, itself part of the Royal Armoured Corps....
North Africa
- Eighth ArmyEighth Army (United Kingdom)The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations of the British Army during World War II, fighting in the North African and Italian campaigns....
- X CorpsX Corps (United Kingdom)The X Corps was a British Army formation in the First World War and was later reformed in 1942 during the North African campaign of the Second World War as part of the Eighth Army.- First World War :...
- XXX Corps
- New Zealand Corps
- 10 Armoured Division
- 7th Armoured Division
- 2nd New Zealand Division
North West Europe
- Second Army
- XXX Corps
- XII Corps
- 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division
- 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division
- 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division
- 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division
- 3rd Infantry Division
See also
- British Armoured formations of the Second World WarBritish Armoured formations of the Second World WarThe British Armoured formations of the Second World War refers to the Armoured Divisions and Independent Armoured and Tank Brigades deployed by the British Army during the Second World War. They had two types of armoured vehicle. The Infantry tank which was heavily armoured and slow, designed to...
External links
- http://www.warlinks.com/armour/8th_armoured/chapter_1.html
- http://warchronicle.com/staffsyeo/historiantales_wwii/northafricareg.htm
- http://warchronicle.com/units/British/contents.htm