| 2nd Armoured Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 15 December 1939–10 May 1941[1] 1976–1983 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | armoured |
| Size | Second World War 10,750 men[2] 340 tanks[3][nb 1] |
| Engagements | North African Campaign |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Willoughby Norrie |
|
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The 2nd Armoured Division was a British Army formation during the Second World War, created on 15 December 1939 and disbanded on 10 May 1941 after most of the division was captured at Mechili in Libya by German and Italian forces.
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This division had a short and unlucky history; formed in December 1939 it wasn't until the following month that it received any troops to command when the 1st Light Armoured Brigade and the 22nd Heavy Armoured Brigade were assigned.[1] Similarly the 2nd Support Group formed in February, but no troops were assigned until March.[4] The 1st Armoured Division had priority for equipment so the 2nd was forced to use whatever was available. The 1st Armoured Brigade was the most combat-ready element of the division during most of 1940 with its 150-odd Mk VI light tanks. The 22nd Armoured Brigade was forced to make do with trucks and a few light tanks.[5]
As the threat of invasion receded after the Battle of Britain the division was reorganized and reinforced for service in the Middle East. It exchanged the 22nd Armoured Brigade for the veteran 3rd Armoured Brigade from the 1st Armoured Division and each brigade exchanged regiments to ensure that it had both cruisers and light tanks.[6]
The following table lists tank strengths before departure in October 1940:
| Number | Tank Type | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 169 | Mk VI | 52 each in KDG, 3rd Hussars, 4th Hussars, 4 with 1st RHA |
| 6 | A 9 CS | 2nd Royal Tank Regiment |
| 12 | A 10 CS | 6 each in 3rd and 5th RTR |
| 74 | A 10 | Two squadrons in 2nd RTR, one squadron each in 3rd and 5th RTR |
| 83 | A 13 | One squadron in 2nd RTR, two squadrons each in 3rd and 5th RTR |
In addition the division and each brigade headquarters had three Mk VI and seven cruiser (mainly A 10) tanks.[5]
The division was sent to Cyrenaica in early 1941 to guard the lines of communication, its 1st Armoured Brigade was detached to Greece at this time. It was sent to the Western Desert front to reinforce troops under General Wavell who, at the time, was on the verge of defeating Italian forces. However, shortly upon arrival in Libya, Wavell was ordered to send half his troops to Greece, not knowing that Germany had sent reinforcements to support the Italians. Immediately upon arrival at the front, both the 2nd Armoured Division and Wavell's troops were ordered to retreat. Unfortunately, most of the Division was captured in an pincer movement on 8 April 1941 by the Italian 10th Bersaglieri Regiment, the 5th Light Division, and the 15th Panzer Division. Some of its units escaped and were evacuated from Tobruk. On 10 May 1941 the division was officially disbanded and not reformed.
The 2nd Armoured Division also had an RAMC Brigade, but World War II records identifying the unit number are currently unavailable.[7]
Following re-organisation, 2nd Infantry Division was reformed as an armoured formation in I (BR) Corps in Germany from 1976 to 1983. In this incarnation it had two armoured regiments, each nominally with 74 tanks, and three mechanised infantry battalions, and probably incorporated Task Force Charlie and Task Force Delta. Following further reorganisation in 1983 it was converted back into an infantry division.
The 2nd Armoured Division had five General Officers Commanding during its Second World War existence, with the final officer being taken prisoner.
| Appointed | General Officer Commanding |
| 15 December 1939 | Major-General F.E. Hotblack[1][8] |
| 17 April 1940 | Brigadier C.W.M. Norrie (acting)[1] |
| 10 May 1940 | Major-General J.C. Tilly (Died on 5 January 1941)[1] |
| 16 January 1941 | Brigadier H.B. Latham (acting)[1] |
| 12 February 1941 | Major-General M.D. Gambier-Parry (captured on 8 April 1941)[1] |
The Division had three General Officers Commanding during its existence in the late 1970s and early 1980s:
| Appointed | General Officer Commanding |
| 1977 | Major-General Frank Kitson[9] |
| February 1978 | Major-General Alexander Boswell[9] |
| March 1980 | Major-General Martin Farndale[9] |
(On 8 April 1941 when it surrendered)
( 6 April 1941 - 8 April 1941 )
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