- 8th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)
Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 8th Armoured Brigade
abbreviation= 8th Armd Bde
Caption=British 8th Armoured Brigade Formation Symbol
dates=2 September 1939 -1956
country=Great Britain
allegiance=
branch=British Army
type= Armoured Brigade
role=
size=
command_structure=British 10th Armoured Division , XXX Corps
equipment= Crusader , Grant , Sherman
Past Commanders=Brigadier "Rosey" Lloyd , Brigadier E. C. N. Custance, Brigadier "Roscoe" Harvey , Brigadier J. M. Anstice
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
notable_commanders=
identification_symbol= Red Fox on a yellow background
identification_symbol_2=
nickname= Red Fox
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=Battle of Alam Halfa
Second Battle of El Alamein
El Agheila
Operation Pugilist Matruth Line
wadi Akarit
Enfidaville
D Day
Operation Perch
Operation Market Garden
Operation Blackcock
Operation Plunder
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=The 8th Armoured Brigade was a
Second World War British Army brigade, formed in August 1941 from the redesigantion of 6th Cavalry Brigade 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 onecite web |url=http://www.warlinks.com/armour/8th_armoured/chapter_1.html| title=Prior-Palmer (1946), Chapter 1]History
In February 1942 they 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.
North Africa and Tunisia
Operation Supercharge
The Second Battle of El Alamein marked a significant turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of World War II. The battle lasted from October 23 to November 5, 1942. 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 GeneralClaude Auchinleck in August 1942.Success in the battle turned the tide in the North African Campaign. Allied victory at El Alamein ended Axis hopes of occupying Egypt, controlling access to the Suez Canal, and gaining access to the Middle Eastern oil fields. The defeat at El Alamein marked the end of Axis expansion in Africa.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.Dear (2005), p.254]
Now under command of Brigadier
Edward C.N. Custance the Brigade equipped with a number of different tanks (24 Crusaders, 57 Grants, 31 Shermans) took part in Operation Supercharge better known as the Battle of El Alamein , Part of the Brigade The The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) found a gap in the enemy defences and an attack was made which completely broke through and started the rout of theAfrika Korps .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 of8th Army moved past."10th Armoured Division" was now ordered back to Egypt taking 1st Royal Horse Artillery (R.H.A) with them leaving "8th Armoured Brigade" to become an independent brigade. At the end of November the brigade come under the command of the7th Armoured Division ,The famousDesert Rats and were involved in the battles aroundEl Agheila . This battle opened the road past Marble Arch toNofilia , which was entered without opposition.The Brigade was the rested before being attached to the2nd New Zealand Division ,for the campaign in Tunisia.The Brigade Order Of Battle at this time was
*3
Royal Tank Regiment
*The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers)
*Staffordshire Yeomanry
*1st BattalionThe Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)
*1stRoyal Horse Artillery
*297th (Kent Yeomanry ) , Royal ArtilleryTunisia and the Mareth Line
The Brigade now passed from the command of
XXX Corps , to theNew Zealand Corps , with2nd New Zealand Division and theFree French , GeneralPhilippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque forces fromChad (L Force) and the 1st Free French Brigade.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 , the Brigade was formed as follows;The frontal attack on the Mareth line had failed, and the weight of the attack was now to be thrown into the Left Hook, the
1st Armoured Division was despatched to reinforce the "New Zealand Corps". [ [http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-24Ba-c9.html#n165 Stevens (1962), p. 165] ] On26 March the Brigade was launched towardsEl Hamma , [cite web|url=http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-24Ba-c9.html#n167 |title=Stevens (1962), p. 167] in the ensuing battle they penetrated deep into theSwitch 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.cite web|url=http://www.warlinks.com/armour/8th_armoured/chapter_2.html| title=Prior-Palmer (1946), Chapter 2]The next action was
6 April theBattle of Wadi Akarit , where the brigade first came up against theTiger I , (Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger I), the Brigade still supporting "2nd New Zealand" was next was involved in the battles atEnfidaville andTakrouna , on January 15th the attack on theBuerat -Bungem line was launched.then followed battles against a series of rear-guard positions atWadi Zem Zem where anti-tank guns and tanks were dug in on the reverse slope andSedada and atTarhuna 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 the 23rd January the "3rd Royal Tank Regiment" entered Tripoli in the wake of the "11th Hussars".On 24th January a composite force consisting of the "Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry", "1st Buffs", "5th Royal Horse Artillery' and "7th Medium Regiment R.A." advanced to theZavia 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 Guards (4th/7th DG)
*24th Lancers (24th L).
*The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers).
*147th Field Regiment (Essex Yeomanry) Royal Artillery.
*12th Battalion The King's Royal Rifle Corps.
*168 (City of London) Light Field Ambulance.
*552 CompanyRoyal Army Service Corps .
*8th Armoured Brigade Workshops R.E.M.E.
*265 Forward Delivery Squadron. cite web|url=http://www.warlinks.com/armour/8th_armoured/chapter-3.html| title=Prior-Palmer (1946), Chapter 3]Gold Beach
Gold Beach was the Allied codename for the centre invasion beach during the World War II Allied invasion of Normandy, June 6, 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 "8th Armoured Brigade" in support both under the British2nd Army . The beach was assaulted in multiple brigades of the 50th Infantry Division; on the West was the231st Infantry Brigade , followed by the56th Infantry Brigade , attached to this was a regiment of DD tanks from the The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers), the infantry assault battalions that attacked in the West were; the 1st BtnThe Hampshire Regiment , and the 1st BtnThe Dorset Regiment . On the East69th Infantry Brigade , followed by151st Infantry Brigade , again a regiment of DD tanks was attached, they were from the4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards , the infantry assault battalions that attacked in the East were; the 5th BtnEast Yorkshire Regiment , and the 6th BtnThe Green Howards . 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 atOmaha Beach to the West and the Canadians landing atJuno Beach to the East. TheGerman 716th Static Infantry Division commanded by Generalleutnant Wilhelm Richter, and elements of the 1st Battalion of theGerman 352nd Infantry Division 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 "4th/7th DG" lost 5 and the "Sherwood Rangers" 8 in the breakers. Throughout the day both Regiments had all three squadrons continually committed, supporting in turn 231st Infantry Brigade ,
151st Infantry Brigade and69th Infantry Brigade s". Night fell with all objectives obtained, all tanks committed and no reserves on shore.cite web|url=http://www.warlinks.com/armour/8th_armoured/chapter_4.html| title=Prior-Palmer (1946), Chapter 4]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 June 6–June 7 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 , 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 , including "8th Armoured" , XXX Corps, was ordered to strike south from their lodgement created on June 6 to capture the town of Bayeux (another D-Day objective which had not been captured) and then capture the town ofTilly-sur-Seulles . Once Tilly-sur-Seulles had been captured the7th Armoured Division would pass through the "50th (Northumbrian)" and push south to capture the town ofVillers-Bocage before turning east to capture the town ofEvrecy .Ellis and others (2004), p. 247] Forty (2004), p. 36] Ford, p. 32]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 andFontenay ,Lingevres ,Christot andLe 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.
Race for the Seine and beyond
Order of Battle 1944 - 45
*
4th/7th Dragoon Guards (4th/7th DG)
*13th/18th Hussars (13th/18th H)
*The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers)
*147 Field Regiment RA (Essex Yeomanry )
*12th Bn (Queen's Westminsters) TheKing's Royal Rifle Corps (K.R.R.C.)The "13th/18th Hussars" were now attached to the Brigade from the
27th Armoured Brigade , and the "24th Lancers" Disbanded , The Brigade passed to the command of BrigadierErroll Prior-Palmer ex commander "27th Armoured Brigade"The orders for the next battle were being given out; the Brigade less the "13th/18th Hussars" was to support the
43rd (Wessex) Division and the "13th/18th Hussars" were placed with the "50th (Northumbrian) Division" whose objective was the ridge known asButte du Mont a Vent , ground which dominated that over which the rest of the Brigade were to fight.The "13th/18th H", with "50th Division", capturedAmaye sur Seulles while the "Sherwood Rangers " with the 7thThe Hampshire Regiment mounted on their tanks capturedJurques .La Bigne andLoisonniers were also both secured and in fighting aroundLe Plessis Grimault ,the Brigade then captured the firstTiger II , Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B Tiger II (also known as the Königstiger or King Tiger) , which had ever been encountered.Under the command of "50th Northumbrian" , the "4th/7th DG" were involved in very heavy fighting in the capture of
St Pierre La Vieille .The drive South toConde sur Noireau orOperation Black-water followed.The continuous fighting in support, alternately, of two Divisions had its effect - casualties had been heavy. The5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards and the 86th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry ) Field Regiment Royal Artillery, who like the "Essex Yeomanry" had self-propelled 25 pounders, were placed under command.ON 17th 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 theSt 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 within 2 hours of their arrival. The assault, led by the tanks of the "4th/7th DG" on rafts, was launched at 1900hrs on 25th August under an intense 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 to men and equipment were considerable, but within 72 hours the bridgehead was over 4 miles deep and the
Royal Engineers had constructed a 680 foot folding bridge over which the remaining tanks of the "4th/7th DG" were able to cross.Now the Brigade was again to be given an independent role; instructions from General Horrocks were to cross the river immediately, to fork right and open up the Route to the
Somme for theGuards Armoured Division .The "Sherwood Rangers " , "12th K.R.R.C" and "13th/18th H" were moved across on the afternoon of the 28th August, at the same time the "4th/7th DG" reverted to Brigade command. At dawn 29th August the Brigade advanced. The axis lay along the valley of the tributary river
Epte towardsDangu andGisors , the road dominated by high ground on both sides.The "Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry" made a left flanking attack through theBois de Baquet to come in behind the enemy atSt Remy , the "13th/18th H" reachedDangu by nightfall.The next morning 30th August the "4th/7th" took the lead and entered
Gisors unopposed.On 31st August the Brigade (again independent) joined up with
11th Armoured Division on the Somme atAmiens . and next morning the Brigade crossed by a narrow bridge on the West of Amiens and continued the advance on the left of the "11th Armoured Division".By evening the "13th/18th H" were throughDoullens where a rearguard action had been fought at the crossing of the RiverAuthie . The "4th/7th DG" had experienced some fighting atVignacourt andCanapples on the left but by evening they too were up to theAuthie .The army continued its advance with right the "Guards Armoured Division" and left the "11th Armoured Division". A column composed of 8th Armoured Brigade with under command 50th Reconnaissance Regiment and the 9th
Durham Light Infantry , provided left flank protection. Two Squadrons of the "4th/7th DG" and "two Coy's of the 12th K.R.R.C" ,reached the centre ofLille , the fourth biggest town in France, without further enemy opposition.Beyond Brussel and Antwerp
While Brussels and Antwerp had been liberated by the "Guards and 11th Armoured Divisions" , formed bodies of German troops were reported moving East in Northern Belgium. The "8th Armoured" , with elements of "50th Northumbrian" were deployed to form a flank guard screen between
Lille andGhent .On the 7th of September orders were received for the Brigade to march with all speed to the
Albert Canal atBeringen to support the "Guards Armoured" in an attempt to turn the left flank ofGerman 719th Division who were holding the North Bank. The "Sherwood Rangers " were detached under "50th Northumbrian" to assault across the Canal further West atGheel .By midday on the 8th September the leading elements of the "4th/7th 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 (September 17, 1944–September 25, 1944) was intended through large-scale use of airborne forces, to secure a series of bridges over the main rivers of the German-occupied Netherlands to allow rapid advance by armored units.
The operation was initially successful with the capture of the Waal bridge at
Nijmegen on September 20. But it was a failure overall since the planned Allied advance across the Rhine atArnhem had to be abandoned. TheBritish 1st Airborne Division 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 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 andArnhem , in operation "Market Garden".A night march brought the "4th/7th DG" to Nijmegen where the bridges over the Waal had been captured the previous day by the82nd Airborne Division supported by the Guards Armoured.On the evening of 23rd September B Sqn of the "4th/7th DG" carrying men of the 5th
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry 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 inDUKW s.The "13th/18th H" were involved in operations against the village of
Elst , with the 4thWiltshire Regiment and also in the clearing of ground to the West with130th Infantry Brigade .To the Southeast of Nijmegen the "Sherwood Rangers" made history in company with the "82nd United States Airborne Division", for by capturing the village of Beek they 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 , were deployed in defence along an extended front which was subject to frequent raids.
October was spent on the defensive. On the 18th October the formation handed over the responsibilities for the "Western Approaches" to the
101st Airborne Division and took over a similar responsibility on the "Western Approaches" to Nijmegen.Throughout the period one Armoured Regiment supported the "43rd Division" to the South East of Nijmegen overlooking the Reichswald Forest.one Armoured Regiment remained with the United States Airborne and the third rested West of the town.
The line held by "8th Armoured" 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 " and members of theDutch Resistance .At the conclusion of the battle, the Brigade now became Corps mobile reserve.
Into Germany
Operation Blackcock
Operation Blackcock was the code name for the clearing of the Roer Triangle formed by the towns of Roermond, Sittard and Heinsberg. It was conducted by the 2nd British Army in January 1945 between 14 and 26 January 1945. The objective was to drive the German 15th Army back across the Rivers Rur and Wurm and move the frontline further into Germany. The operation was carried out under command of the
XII Corps , by three divisions, the7th Armoured Division , the52nd Lowland Division and the43rd Wessex Division ("Wessex Wyverns"). The operation, named after the Scottish black male grouse, is relatively unknown despite the sometimes fierce battles that were fought for each and every village and hamlet within the "Roer Triangle".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 "Sherwood Rangers " were to support "52nd (Lowland) Division" in a frontal attack while the rest of the Brigade with under command155th Infantry Brigade , 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 north end of the line and then to turn sharp right, coming down behind all the German positions confronting "52nd (Lowland) Division".The "4th/7th DG" fought their way forward throughout the night of the 18th 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 the had to be abandoned due to enemy resistance.The operations of the "4th/7th DG" with the 4thThe King's Own Scottish Borderers , in the rear of the German line had great effect and "52nd (Lowland) Division"s frontal attack met with little resistance.On the evening of the 19th January the "Sherwood Rangers " made contact with the "4th/7th DG".The remainder of the Brigade was withdrawn and came under command "52nd (Lowland) Division", and the "13th/18th H" were pushed through to exploit the success of the other two Regiments.
Reichwald Forest
The Reichswald Forest lies in Germany, to the east of
Nijmegen and between the Rivers Rhine and Maas. 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 ?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 8th 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 and the importantMarterborn , feature. "43rd Division" with the Brigade in support were brought up and after a fight, Cleve was in British hands.The "4th/7th DG" and the
214th Infantry Brigade , fought throughMarterborn , 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 , 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 "4th/7th DG" with "214th Infantry Brigade"took over 1000 prisoners.
The Brigade together with the "53rd (Welsh) division" on 24th February began operations to drive Southeast astride the river Niers and to capture
Weeze . 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 "13th/18th H" and with 1st
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry , under command advanced through Weeze by early afternoon and enteredKevelaer early next morning and the "4th/7th DG" with "1st Ox and Bucks" pushed on toGeldern .On the outskirts of Geldern the "4th/7th DG " and "B Coy, 12th K.R.R.C." , encountered tank fire on the outskirts of Geldern then discovered that their opponents were the leading elements of the
United States Army . 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.cite web|url=http://www.warlinks.com/armour/8th_armoured/chapter_5.html|title=Prior-Palmer (1946), Chapter 5]
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 Dempsey (Operation Turnscrew ,Operation Widgeon , andOperation Torchlight ), and the U.S.Ninth Army , (Operation Flashlight ), under Lieutenant General William Simpson. XVIII U.S. Airborne Corps, consisting ofBritish 6th Airborne Division and US17th Airborne Division , conductedOperation Varsity . All of these formations were part of the21st Army Group under Field Marshal SirBernard Montgomery . This was part of a coordinated set of Rhine crossings.The 8th Armoured Brigade, now had four Armoured Regiments, as The "Staffordshire Yeomanry" returned Brigade command , after they had converted to Duplex Drive tanks, under the
79th Armoured Division . The Brigade was to support51st (Highland) Division , in the Rhine crossing.23rd March at 2100 hours, the leading elements of "51st (Highland) Division" crossed the Rhine in assault craft just North of Rees. 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 the 24th March and the "4th/7th DG" , began to cross. Followed in the next two days by the "13th/18th H" and the "Sherwood Rangers".On the 27th March Brigade H.Q., "12th K.R.R.C." and the "Essex Yeomanry", made the crossing.For seven days the Brigade supported "51st (Highland) Division" , "43rd Division" and the
9th Canadian Infantry Brigade who were involved in fighting within the bridgehead.On the 28th MarchIjsselburg was captured and the road fromAnhoh toGendringen was in allied hands.On the 30th March the Brigade with 4th
Somerset Light Infantry under command inKangaroos , (Armoured Pesonnel Carriers) moved forward. By evening the outskirts ofVarsseveld were reached and 12th K.R.R.C." were inSilvolde .The next objective was to seize a crossing of theTwente Canal atLochem .At dawn 31st March a battlen took place atRuurlo , but the advance continued toLochem and the Brigade covered Twenty-five miles during the day.The Brigades next objective was to capture crossings South ofDelden .The 12th K.R.R.C." advanced towards Delden, and the next day linked up with the forward troops of4th Canadian Armoured Division advancing from their bridge-head over the Twente Canal. The advance continued with the oblective being ,Bremen , still over 100 miles distant. The Brigade was next deployed in support of the Infantry Brigades with214th Infantry Brigade including "13th/18th H" and129th Infantry Brigade including "4th/7th DG".The "Sherwood Rangers "," in reserve with130th Infantry Brigade .On 11th April "130 Infantry Brigade" and the "Sherwood Rangers " took the lead and Two days later were on the outskirts of
Kloppenburg 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 "8th Armoured Brigade" with "4th/7th DG", 12th K.R.R.C." and "Essex Yeomanry" were placed under command of
British 3rd Infantry Division some 75 miles away to the East.The "Sherwood Rangers " and "13th/18th H" were left with "43rd (Wessex) Division".
"3rd Division" were engaged with the enemy in the numerous villages South of Bremen and on the 15th April a series of attacks began. After several days fighting "3rd Division" had captured all the ground South of the flooded area. It was now decided to cross the
Weser upstream atVerden where a bridge had been secured and to attackBremen 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 "8th Armoured Brigade" less 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards who were to remain with "3rd Division".The 4th of May found Brigade H. Q. 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." "cite web|url=http://www.warlinks.com/armour/8th_armoured/chapter_6.html| title=Prior-Palmer (1946), Chapter 6]
Occupation of Hanover
The "8th Armoured Brigade" was to proceed South and take over Hanover from the United States Army.Brigade H. Q. moved to the city on the 17th May, the Regiments on the 19th May, and the Brigade took over the responsibility for Hanover Stadtkreis and Landkreis on the 22nd May, from the
84th United States Infantry Division .Hanover 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 Ex-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 and4th (Durham) Survey Regiment R.A. came under command of the Brigade TheStaffordshire Yeomanry returned to the Brigade, the "Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry", also rejoined the formation at Hanover.The l3th/l8th Hussars had left to join5th 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", the "Staffordshire Yeomanry" were posted away or discharged.
The Headquarters disbanded on the
20 March ,1946 .After the reformation of the
Territorial Army in 1947 it joined the 49th Armoured Division 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
*45/51 Royal Tank Regiment, LeedsMajor Formations 8th Armoured Brigade served under
North Africa
*
8th Army
*X Corps
*XXX Corps
*New Zealand Corps
*10th Armoured Division
*7th Armoured Division
*2nd New Zealand Division North West Europe
*
2nd Army
*XXX Corps
*XII Corps
*50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division
*49th (West Riding) Infantry Division
*43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division .
*52nd (Lowland) Division
*3rd Infantry Divisionources
*cite book| first=Patrick| last=Delaforce| title=Monty's Marauders : Black Rat & Red Fox, 4th & 8th independent armoured brigades in WW2 | publisher=Pen & Sword Military|date=2008| origdate=1997| isbn=0753703513
*cite book| first=Major L.F.| last=Ellis| coauthors=Allen, G.W.G, Warhurst, Lt- Col A. E., Robb, Sir James| editor=Butler, James| series=History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series, Official Campaign History| title=Victory in the West. Vol 1: The Battle of Normandy| publisher=Naval & Military Press Ltd |date=Sep 2004| isbn=1845740580| origdate=1962
*cite book| last=Forty| first=George|title=Battle Zone Normandy: Villers Bocage| publisher=Sutton Publishing| location=London| date=2004| isbn=0750930128
*cite book|last=Prior-Palmer| first=Brigadier G.E.| url=http://www.warlinks.com/armour/8th_armoured/index.html|title=A Short History of the 8th Armoured Brigade| date=March, 1946| publisher=H.Q. 8th Armoured Brigade| location=Hanover
*
*cite web| first=Graham |last=Watson| url=http://www.ordersofbattle.darkscape.net/site/history/index.html| title=United Kingdom: The Territorial Army 1947, v 1.0| publisher= [http://www.orbat.com/site/history/index.html Orbat.com website] |date=10 March ,2002 References
External Web Sites
*http://www.warlinks.com/armour/8th_armoured/chapter_1.html
*http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/search/search.html?page-length=10&text=mareth+line&documentId=
*http://warchronicle.com/staffsyeo/historiantales_wwii/northafricareg.htm
*http://warchronicle.com/units/British/contents.htm
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