British 1st Cavalry Division
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The 1st Cavalry Division was a British Army First World War and Second World War formation formed in 1939 from Yeomanry Regiments.
[edit] History in World War Two
The only British cavalry division during the War, this formation was sent in January 1940 to the Middle East as a garrison and occupation force. On 31st May 1941 it was reorganised as Habforce for operations in Iraq and the relief of the base at RAF Habbaniya and the occupation of Baghdad. In 1941 it was also involved in operations against the Vichy French in Syria.
On 1st August 1941 it was converted to the 10th Armoured Division.
[edit] Component Units
- 4th Cavalry Brigade
- Household Cavalry Regiment
- The North Somerset Yeomanry
- Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry
- 5th Cavalry Brigade
- Yorkshire Dragoons Yeomanry
- Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers)
- Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry
- 6th Cavalry Brigade
- The Cheshire Yeomanry
- The Staffordshire Yeomanry
- The Warwickshire Yeomanry
- Support Units
- 104th (Essex Yeomanry) Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
- 1st Cavalry Division Signal Regiment
