This is an order of battle of the British 4th Armoured Brigade during the Second World War. Many units either served with or were briefly attached to the brigade.[1] The order of battle is given for a number of battles the brigade fought in and reflect the changes to the composition of Armoured Brigades as dictated by the War Office, not all of which were, or could be, applied to units in the field.[2]
Order of battle
editEgypt September 1939
editTitled Heavy Armoured Brigade (Egypt) an Infantry Tank brigade, part of the Armoured Division (Egypt).
Sidi Barrani December 1940
editEquipped with Cruiser tanks, part of 7th Armoured Division.
Tobruk December 1941
editWith 7th Armoured Division.
Defence of Alamein 20 July 1942
editOrganised as an Armoured Brigade Group part of 7th Armoured Division.
- 4th/8th Hussars[a]
- 11th Hussars
- 12th Lancers
- 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Tower Hamlets Rifles)[4][5]
- 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
- Troop from 113th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery Royal Artillery (RA)
- Troop from 3rd Field Squadron Royal Engineers (RE)
- 5th and 56th Companies Royal Army Service Corps (RASC)
- 14th Light Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC)
Alamein October–November 1942
editA brigade group attached to 7th Armoured Division, then X Corps.
- 4th/8th Hussars
- 11th Hussars
- Royal Scots Greys
- 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry
- 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps
- 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
- Troop from 42nd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery RA
- Troop from 21st Field Squadron RE
- 5th and 56th Companies RASC
- 14th Light Field Ambulance RAMC
Mareth Line 16–23 March 1943
editA brigade group attached to X Corps.
- 1st The Royal Dragoons
- 1st King's Dragoon Guards
- 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps
- 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
- Troop from 42nd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
- Troop from 4th Field Squadron RE
- 5th and 56th Companies RASC
- 14th Light Field Ambulance RAMC
Caen 4–8 July 1944
editA brigade group attached to VIII Corps.
- Royal Scots Greys
- 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters)
- 44th Royal Tank Regiment
- 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps
The Rhineland 8 February to 1 April 1945
editOrganised as a brigade group attached at various times to VIII Corps, 11th Armoured Division and XII Corps.
- Royal Scots Greys
- 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters)
- 44th Royal Tank Regiment[b]
- 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps
Other units also served with the brigade
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ 4th/8th Hussars was a temporary unit formed in July 1942 by the amalgamation of the 4th and 8th Hussars due to losses in action. The regiments resumed their individual identities in November 1942.[3]
- ^ Between 9–24 March this unit was equipped with specialist armour and trained by 79th Armoured Division in its use. The unit reverted to a normal armoured regiment.
References
edit- ^ Joslen 1990, pp. 153–155
- ^ Joslen pp.137-142
- ^ Bellis 1994, p. 13
- ^ Bellis 1994, pp. 107–108
- ^ Westlake 1986, p. 222
Bibliography
edit- Bellis, Malcolm A. (1994). Regiments of the British Army 1939–1945 (Armour & Infantry). London: Military Press International. ISBN 0-85420-999-9.
- Joslen, Lt-Col H.F. (1990) [1st. Pub. HMSO:1960]. Orders of Battle, Second World War, 1939–1945. London: London Stamp Exchange. ISBN 0-948130-03-2.
- Westlake, Ray (1986). The Territorial Battalions, A Pictorial History, 1859–1985. Tunbridge Wells: Spellmount.
External links
edit- "4th Armoured Brigade". Orders of Battle.com.