158th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
| 158th Infantry Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1943-1947 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Infantry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Disbanded | 1947 |
| Commanders | |
| Officer Commanding | Brigadier S.O. Jones |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
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| 158th Infantry Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Part of | 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division |
| Operations | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
The 158th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the Territorial Force, part of the British Army, that formed part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. The brigade fought with the division in the First World War in the Middle Eastern theatre from 1915 to 1918. Both the brigade and division were disbanded in 1920, with the rest of the Territorial Force, before being reformed in the Territorial Army. The brigade again fought with the 53rd (Welsh) Division in the Second World War from June 1944 to May 1945 on the Western Front of World War II at Normandy, Falaise, the Ardennes and the Reichswald before finally invading Germany itself. After the war, the brigade was finally disbanded in March 1947.
World War II Victoria Cross
During operations undertaken by the 158th Brigade to close the Falaise Pocket, heavy fighting took place on 16 August around the town of Balfour. During this action, Captain Tasker Watkins, commanding B Company of the 1/5th Battalion, Welch Regiment, personally led a charge across a heavily defended stretch of open ground, reaching and personally eliminating an enemy position in spite of his companies' very heavy losses. For this action, he received the Victoria Cross.
World War I Order of battle
- 1/5th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers
- 1/6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers
- 1/7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers
- 1/1st Battalion, Herefordshire Light Infantry
World War II Order of battle
- 4th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (until 26 August 1944)
- 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (until 26 August 1944)
- 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (to 56th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division, 27 April 1945)
- 1/5th Battalion, Welch Regiment (from 160th Brigade, 26 August 1944)
- 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (from 71st Brigade, 26 August 1944)
- 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers (from 56th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division, 27 April 1945)