128th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
128th Infantry Brigade | |
---|---|
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | British Army |
Part of |
43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division 46th (West Riding and North Midland) Infantry Division |
Engagements |
The 128th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army that served during both the First and Second world wars. It was originally formed in 1908 as part of the Territorial Force as the Hampshire Brigade attached to the Wessex Division, later 128th (Hampshire) Brigade and 43rd (Wessex) Division respectively. The division was sent overseas to India, on the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, to free up Regular Army troops for service in France. However, the division, and the brigade, never saw action and was disbanded later in the war. Some of its component units did see active service in the Mesopotamian Campaign.
The brigade was later reformed in the Territorial Army in 1920 and was again part of 43rd (Wessex) Division. In World War II the brigade served with the division before being transferred to the 46th (West Riding and North Midland) Infantry Division in 1942. With this division the brigade served in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa, and the Italian Campaign from 1943 to 1945.
The brigade fought in many battles including the Salerno landings, Naples and at the Gothic Line. It ended the war in Austria. With the division, it came under command of both the armies fighting in Italy, the U.S. Fifth Army and the British Eighth Army. Throughout both world wars the brigade was composed of battalions of the Hampshire Regiment.
Component Units in World War I
- 1/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
- 1/5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
- 1/6th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
- 1/7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
Component Units in World War II
- 1/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
- 5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
- 2/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment (to 9 May 1943)
- 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment (from 10 May 1943)
Commanders in World War II
- Brig. E.D.H. Tollemache
- Brig. C.H. Woodhouse
- Brig. R.F.H. Massy-Westrop
- Brig. Frederick Browning
- Brig. M.A. James VC
- Brig. J.L. Spencer
- Brig. T.P.D. Scott
- Brig. Douglas Kendrew
References
External links
- 128 Infantry Brigade at Orders of Battle.com