British 51st (Highland) Infantry Division (World War II)

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51st (Highland) Division
Image:British_51st_(Highland)_Division_Insignia.png
Active 1939-1945 World War II
Country United Kingdom
Branch Territorial Army
Type Infantry
Nickname The Highway Decorators
Battles/wars Battle of El Alamein
Sicily Landings
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Alan Cunningham
Neil Ritchie
Douglas Wimberley

For the First World War unit, see British 51st (Highland) Division (World War I).

The British 51st (Highland) Division was a Territorial Army division that fought during the Second World War. The division was referred to as the "Highway Decorators" by other divisions who became used to discovering the 'HD' insignia painted wherever the Highlanders had passed through.


Contents

[edit] History

The 51st Division commanded by Major-General Fortune formed part of the British Expeditionary Force at the start of World War 2. With the capture of two of its brigades in France the division effectively ceased to exist. The Highland 9th Division was renumbered to replace the 51st which then served in the North Africa campaign. From there it went to Sicily before returning to France as part of the invasion of Northern Europe.

[edit] Battles

[edit] France 1940

The 51st Infantry Division had been stationed at the Maginot Line, and had thus escaped being encircled with the rest of the BEF at Dunkirk. It was then pulled back to the west of Northern France, where it was attached to the French 10th Army. For some time, it was forced to hold a line four times longer than that which would normally be expected of a division. During this period, the 154th Brigade was detached and withdrawn successfully. However, the 152nd and 153rd Brigades were trapped at Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, and surrendered on June 12.

[edit] New 51st Division

Later, the British 9th (Highland) Infantry Division, the 2nd Line Territorial Army duplicate of the 51st Division, was converted into the new 51st Division, with the 26th and 27th Brigades redesignated as 152nd and 153rd Brigades, and the 28th being merged with the severely under strength 154th Brigade.

  • New 51st Highland Division was at El Alamein (October-November 1942)

It played a Major Part in Operation Lightfoot, where it was in the center of the Northern Push, between the Australian 9th Division and the 2nd New Zealand Division. It faced the 21st Panzer Division and some Italian units. Initially unsuccessful during Lightfoot, the minefields it cleared were key in achieving a breakout during Operation Supercharge. It was involved in the battle at Wadi Akarit in early April 1943, and took part in the frontal assault on the position, where it was on the far right of the line. Later it took part in the Tunisian Campaign and the invasion of Sicily.

[edit] Battle of Normandy

It landed on the 7 June, as part of I Corps. It was sent across the Orne River, and spent most of its time in Normandy supporting the 6th Airborne Division. Its performance in Normandy was considered disappointing, and it was stated that it "had failed every mission it was given" by Montgomery. In the Netherlands it was involved in the Battle of the Scheldt. Later it was a reserve unit on the Meuse during the Battle of the Bulge. It did not take part in much heavy fighting, and was only deployed as a stopgap in case the Germans broke through. It was later part of Operation Varsity, the crossing of the Rhine.

[edit] Order of Battle at formation

152nd Brigade 
153rd Brigade 
154th Brigade 

[edit] Support Units

[edit] Commanders

[edit] Cultural References

[edit] Music

  • "The 51st (Highland) Division's Farewell to Sicily", a folk song written by Hamish Henderson, a former officer who served in the 51st Division during the Sicilian campaign. It has been recorded by a number of folk singers, including Dick Gaughan.
  • "The Beaches of St. Valery", performed by the Battlefield Band. Written by Davy Steele, it tells the story of the 51st Division's struggle to reach Saint-Valéry-en-Caux in 1940 only to find that no ships had been sent to evacuate them.
  • "The Old Boys", performed by the Scottish group Runrig, who sing in both English and Gaelic. The song which first appeared on the album Mara (1995) and was reprised on Protera (2003) speaks of the declining numbers of Gaelic speaking members of the 51st who fought at St Valery.

[edit] External links

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