8th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)

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8th Armoured Brigade
Active 2 September 1939 -
Country Great Britain
Branch British Army
Type Armoured Brigade
Part of British 10th Armoured Division , XXX Corps
Nickname Red Fox
Equipment Crusader , Grant , Sherman
Engagements 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
Insignia
Identification
symbol		 Red Fox on a yellow background
Crusader tanks moving to forward positions in the Western Desert, 26 November 1941.
Crusader tanks moving to forward positions in the Western Desert, 26 November 1941.

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 one[1]

Contents

[edit] 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. [1]

The next major engagement the Brigade was involved in was Operation Supercharge.

[edit] North Africa and Tunisia

[edit] Operation Supercharge

Main article: Operation Supercharge (1942)
Location of 10th Armoured on the eve of battle
Location of 10th Armoured on the eve of battle

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 General Claude 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.[2]

Now under command of Brigader Edward C.N. Custance the Brigade equipped with a number of different tanks (24 Crusarder , 57 Grant , 31 Sherman) took part in Operation Superchage 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 the Afrika Korps.The Brigade was next ordered to find the Southern flank of the enemy. Driving across country it moved into the dessert 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 of 8th 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.[1] At the end of November the brigade come under the command of the 7th Armoured Division ,The famous Desert Rats and were involved in the battles around El Agheila. This battle opened the road past Marble Arch to Nofilia, which was entered without opposition. The Brigade was the rested before being attached to the 2nd New Zealand Division ,for the campaign in Tunisia.

The Brigade Order Of Battle at this time was

tunisia campaign
tunisia campaign

[edit] Tunisia and the Mareth Line

Main article: Operation Pugilist

The Brigade now passed from the command of XXX Corps , to the New Zealand Corps , with 2nd New Zealand Division and the Free French , General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque forces from Chad (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;

3rd Royal Tank Regiment Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Staffordshire Yeomanry
Sherman Tank 25 Sherman Tank 23 Sherman Tank 28
Grant Tank 4 Grant Tank 4 Grant Tank 3
Crusader Tanks 22 Crusader Tanks 19 Crusader Tanks 19
Armoured Cars 8 Armoured Cars 6 Armoured Cars 7
B Coy 1st Buffs A Coy 1st Buffs C Coy 1st Buffs

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.[3] On 26 March the Brigade was launched towards El Hamma,[4] in the ensuing battle they penetrated deep into the Switch 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.[5]

The next action was 6 April the Battle of Wadi Akarit , where the brigade first came up against the Tiger I, (Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger I), the Brigade still supporting 2nd New Zealand was next was involved in the battles at Enfidaville and Takrouna , on January 15th the attack on the Buerat - Bungem line was launched.then followed battles against a series of rear-guard positions at Wadi Zem Zem where anti-tank guns and tanks were dug in on the reverse slope and Sedada and at Tarhuna 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 the Zavia area, Southwest of Tripoli.[5]

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.

[edit] Operation Overlord D-Day

Main article: Operation Overlord
Routes taken by the D-Day invasion
Routes taken by the D-Day invasion
*Cromwell of 8th Armoured Brigade carries troops ashore.
*Cromwell of 8th Armoured Brigade carries troops ashore.
Sherman of 24th Lancers near St. Leger, 11 June 1944
Sherman of 24th Lancers near St. Leger, 11 June 1944

[edit] Order of Battle D-Day

[edit] 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 British 2nd Army. The beach was assaulted in multiple brigades of the 50th Infantry Division; on the West was the 231st Infantry Brigade , followed by the 56th 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 Btn The Hampshire Regiment, and the 1st Btn The Dorset Regiment. On the East 69th Infantry Brigade , followed by 151st Infantry Brigade, again a regiment of DD tanks was attached, they were from the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, the infantry assault battalions that attacked in the East were; the 5th Btn East Yorkshire Regiment, and the 6th Btn The 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 at Omaha Beach to the West and the Canadians landing at Juno Beach to the East. The German 716th Static Infantry Division commanded by Generalleutnant Wilhelm Richter, and elements of the 1st Battalion of the German 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.

[edit] The Landings

Main article: normandy 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 and 69th Infantry Brigades. Night fell with all objectives obtained, all tanks committed and no reserves on shore.[7]

[edit] Operation Perch

Main article: 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 of Tilly-sur-Seulles. Once Tilly-sur-Seulles had been captured the 7th Armoured Division would pass through the 50th (Northumbrian) and push south to capture the town of Villers-Bocage before turning east to capture the town of Evrecy.[8][9][10]

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 and Fontenay , Lingevres , Christot and Le 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.[7]

[edit] Race for the Seine and beyond

[edit] Order of Battle 1944 - 45

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 Brigadier Erroll 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 as Butte 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, captured Amaye sur Seulles while the Sherwood Rangers with the 7th The Hampshire Regiment mounted on their tanks captured Jurques. La Bigne and Loisonniers were also both secured and in fighting around Le Plessis Grimault,the Brigade then captured the first Tiger 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 to Conde sur Noireau or Operation Black-water followed. The continuous fighting in support, alternately, of two Divisions had its effect - casualties had been heavy. The 5th 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 the St 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. [7]

[edit] 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 the Guards 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 towards Dangu and Gisors, the road dominated by high ground on both sides. The Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry made a left flanking attack through the Bois de Baquet to come in behind the enemy at St Remy, the 13th/18th H reached Dangu 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 at Amiens. 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 through Doullens where a rearguard action had been fought at the crossing of the River Authie. The 4th/7th DG had experienced some fighting at Vignacourt and Canapples on the left but by evening they too were up to the Authie.

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 of Lille , the fourth biggest town in France, without further enemy opposition.[7]

[edit] 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 and Ghent.

On the 7th of September orders were received for the Brigade to march with all speed to the Albert Canal at Beringen to support the Guards Armoured in an attempt to turn the left flank of German 719th Division who were holding the North Bank. The Sherwood Rangers were detached under 50th Northumbrian to assault across the Canal further West at Gheel.

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.[7]

The Allied Plan
The Allied Plan

[edit] Market Garden

Main article: Operation 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 at Arnhem had to be abandoned. The British 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 and Arnhem , 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 the 82nd 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 in DUKWs.

The 13th/18th H were involved in operations against the village of Elst , with the 4th Wiltshire Regiment and also in the clearing of ground to the West with 130th 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 the Dutch Resistance.

At the conclusion of the battle, the Brigade now became Corps mobile reserve.[7]

[edit] Into Germany

[edit] Operation Blackcock

Main article: Operation Blackcock
Operation Blackcock starting positions
Operation Blackcock starting positions
Crocodile tanks supporting British infantry during the attack on St. Joost,Operation Blackcock.
Crocodile tanks supporting British infantry during the attack on St. Joost,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, the 7th Armoured Division, the 52nd Lowland Division and the 43rd 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 command 155th 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 4th The King's Own Scottish Borderers , in the rear of the German line had great effect and 52nd (Lowland) Divisions 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.

[edit] Reichwald Forest

Main article: Battle of the Reichswald

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 important Marterborn , 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 through Marterborn , 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 Brigadetook 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 entered Kevelaer early next morning and the 4th/7th DG with 1st Ox and Bucks pushed on to Geldern.

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. [11]

[edit] Operation Plunder

Main article: 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, and Operation Torchlight), and the U.S. Ninth Army , (Operation Flashlight), under Lieutenant General William Simpson. XVIII U.S. Airborne Corps, consisting of British 6th Airborne Division and US 17th Airborne Division, conducted Operation Varsity. All of these formations were part of the 21st Army Group under Field Marshal Sir Bernard 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 support 51st (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 March Ijsselburg was captured and the road from Anhoh to Gendringen was in allied hands.

Kangaroo carying troops
Kangaroo carying troops

On the 30th March the Brigade with 4th Somerset Light Infantry under command in Kangaroos, (Armoured Pesonnel Carriers) moved forward. By evening the outskirts of Varsseveld were reached and 12th K.R.R.C. were in Silvolde. The next objective was to seize a crossing of the Twente Canal at Lochem.At dawn 31st March a battlen took place at Ruurlo, but the advance continued to Lochem and the Brigade covered Twenty-five miles during the day. The Brigades next objective was to capture crossings South of Delden.The 12th K.R.R.C. advanced towards Delden, and the next day linked up with the forward troops of 4th 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 with 214th Infantry Brigade including 13th/18th H and 129th Infantry Brigade including 4th/7th DG. The Sherwood Rangers , in reserve with 130th 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 at Verden where a bridge had been secured and to attack Bremen 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." [12]

[edit] 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 and 4th (Durham) Survey Regiment R.A. came under command of the Brigade The Staffordshire Yeomanry returned to the Brigade, the Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry, also rejoined the formation at Hanover. The l3th/l8th Hussars had left to join 5th 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.[12]

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.

[edit] 8th (Yorkshire) Armoured Brigade - 1947

[edit] Major Formations 8th Armoured Brigade served under

[edit] North Africa

[edit] North West Europe

[edit] Sources

  • Delaforce, Patrick [1997] (2008). Monty's Marauders : Black Rat & Red Fox, 4th & 8th independent armoured brigades in WW2. Pen & Sword Military. ISBN 0753703513. 
  • Ellis, Major L.F.; Allen, G.W.G, Warhurst, Lt- Col A. E., Robb, Sir James [1962] (Sep 2004). in Butler, James: Victory in the West. Vol 1: The Battle of Normandy, History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series, Official Campaign History. Naval & Military Press Ltd. ISBN 1845740580. 
  • Forty, George (2004). Battle Zone Normandy: Villers Bocage. London: Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0750930128. 
  • Prior-Palmer, Brigadier G.E. (March, 1946). A Short History of the 8th Armoured Brigade. Hanover: H.Q. 8th Armoured Brigade. 
  • Stevens, Major-General W.G. (1962). Bardia to Enfidaville, The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945. Wellington, NZ: Historical Publications Branch. 
  • Watson, Graham (10 March 2002). United Kingdom: The Territorial Army 1947, v 1.0. Orbat.com website.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Prior-Palmer (1946), Chapter 1.
  2. ^ Dear (2005), p.254
  3. ^ Stevens (1962), p. 165
  4. ^ Stevens (1962), p. 167.
  5. ^ a b Prior-Palmer (1946), Chapter 2.
  6. ^ Prior-Palmer (1946), Chapter 3.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Prior-Palmer (1946), Chapter 4.
  8. ^ Ellis and others (2004), p. 247
  9. ^ Forty (2004), p. 36
  10. ^ Ford, p. 32
  11. ^ Prior-Palmer (1946), Chapter 5.
  12. ^ a b Prior-Palmer (1946), Chapter 6.

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