78th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)

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78th Infantry Division
Active World War II 1942 - 1945
Country Great Britain
Branch British Army
Type Infantry
Role War Formed
Battle honours Monte Cassino
Sicily

The British 78th Infantry Division, also known as the Battleaxe Division, fought in the Second World War in North Africa and Italy.

Contents

[edit] History

The 78th was formed specifically for Operation Torch from regular British Army units, landing at Algiers in 1942. Thereafter it continued in Tunisia, gaining a formidable reputation, then through Sicily, up the length of Italy, arriving in Austria for the end of the war. Units also saw action in Greece, Palestine, and Egypt. Notable engagements include Longstop Hill, the Battle of Monte Cassino, the assault of the Gustav Line and the battle of Argenta gap.

[edit] Commanding officers

  • Maj.Gen. V.Evelegh
  • Maj.Gen. C.F.Keightley
  • Maj.Gen. R.K.Arbuthnot
  • Maj.Gen. D.C.Butterworth

[edit] Composition

Order of battle from 1942 composed from units of Force 110[1].

[edit] 11th Infantry Brigade

Main article: 11th Infantry Brigade
2nd Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers.
1st Battalion The East Surrey Regiment.
5th Battalion The Northamptonshire Regiment.

[edit] 36th Infantry Brigade

Main article: 36th Infantry Brigade
5th Battalion The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment).
6th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment.
8th Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

[edit] 1st Infantry Brigade (Guards) (until March 1943)

Main article: 1st Infantry Brigade (Guards)
3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards.
2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards.
2nd Battalion The Hampshire Regiment.

[edit] 38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade (from March 1943)

Main article: 38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade
6th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (until August 1944).
2nd Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (from August 1944).
1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's).
2nd Battalion, The London Irish Rifles (Territorial Army).
56th Reconnaissance Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps.
1st Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment.

[edit] Support units

Royal Artillery.

17th Field Regiment.
132nd Field Regiment (welsh).
138th Field Regiment (City of London) .
64th Anti-Tank Regiment (The Queen's Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry).
49th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (until November 1944).

Royal Engineers.

214th Field Company.
237th Field Company.
256th Field Company.
281st Field Park Company.

Royal Army Medical Corps.

11th Field Ambulance.
152nd Field Ambulance.
217th Field Ambulance.
47th Field Ambulance.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ken Ford. Battleaxe Division. ISBN 0-7509-1893-4. 

[edit] External links


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