146th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
| 146th Infantry Brigade | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Country | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| Branch |
British Army Territorial Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division |
| Nickname | The Polar Bears |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Battle honours |
Normandy Odon Scheldt |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
World War II |
The 146th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade formation of the British Army, part of the Territorial Force (Territorial Army from 1920) with the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division. The brigade was active during the First World War, the Second World War, and during the early part of the Cold War.
First World War
The brigade was raised in 1908 upon the creation of the Territorial Force as the 1st West Riding Brigade, part of the West Riding Division. In 1915 this would become the 146th (1st West Riding) Brigade and 49th (West Riding) Division respectively. The brigade served in the Great War mainly on the Western Front from 1915 to 1918.
Formation in World War I
- 1/5th Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
- 1/6th Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
- 1/7th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
- 1/8th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) (until January 1918)
Second World War
During the Second World War, the 146th Infantry Brigade was part of the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, was stationed in Iceland,[1] and adopted as its insignia the Polar Bear on an ice floe. In 1942 they was transferred back to the United Kingdom until June 1944, when it moved to Normandy. Its major contribution to the war was in the Liberation of Arnhem and the fierce battles that led up to it. During the fighting on the Continent, the 49th Infantry Division was nicknamed "the Polar Bears" because of their divisional insignia. On 28 September 1944 Corporal John William Harper of the Hallamshire Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
Formation in World War II
- 4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment
- 1/4th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
- Hallamshire Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment
References
- ↑ "John Crook's service in Iceland.". Independent Radio Drama Productions. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-08.