22nd Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)
The 22nd Armoured Brigade, a British Army brigade, was formed as the 22nd Heavy Armoured Brigade on 3 September 1939 with three Yeomanry (Territorial Army) mechanised cavalry regiments – 2nd Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) and 4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).[1]
History
This formation fought in the Western Desert Campaign under command at various times of the 7th, 1st and 10th Armoured Divisions (remaining with 7th Armoured Division from El Alamein onwards), the Italian Campaign through to the campaign in North West Europe. It was involved in Operation Crusader, the Siege of Tobruk, Battle of Gazala, Battle of Alam el Halfa, Battle of El Alamein, the Tunisia Campaign, and the Capture of Naples, and Operation Perch.
From 1947 onward for a time it was part of the newly re-incorporated Territorial Army's 56th (London) Armoured Division. At that time it comprised the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders), the Westminster Dragoons, the 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), and 42nd Royal Tank Regiment.[2]
In the 1980s it again became part of 1st Armoured Division and the British Army of the Rhine.
Component Units during World War II
22nd Armoured Brigade commanded the following regiments and battalions in World War II:[3]
| From | To | Subordinate |
|---|---|---|
| 3 September 1939 | 16 September 1942 | 2nd Royal Gloucestershire Hussars |
| 3 September 1939 | 16 September 1942 | 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) |
| 27 September 1939 | 29 July 1944 | 4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) |
| 23 November 1940 | 2 August 1941 | 2nd Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps |
| 16 February 1942 | 19 June 1942 | 50th Reconnaissance Regiment |
| 4 March 1942 | 6 June 1942 | 107th (South Nottinghamshire Hussars) Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery |
| 19 June 1942 | 31 August 1945 | 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade |
| 25 June 1942 | 2 August 1942 | 2nd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery |
| 2 August 1942 | 12 September 1942 | 1st Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery |
| 17 September 1942 | 31 August 1945 | 1st Royal Tank Regiment |
| 17 September 1942 | 31 August 1945 | 5th Royal Tank Regiment |
| 29 July 1944 | 31 August 1945 | 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards |
See also
- British Army Order of Battle - September 1939
References
- ↑ Bellis 1994, pp. 16–17
- ↑ Graham Watson (10 March 2002). "United Kingdom: The Territorial Army 1947". orbat.com. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
- ↑ Joslem 1990, p. 168
Bibliography
- Bellis, Malcolm A. (1994). Regiments of the British Army 1939–1945 (Armour & Infantry). London: Military Press International. ISBN 0-85420-999-9.
- Joslen, Lt-Col H.F. (1990) [1st. Pub. HMSO:1960]. Orders of Battle, Second World War, 1939–1945. London: London Stamp Exchange. ISBN 0-948130-03-2.
External links
- 22nd Armoured Brigade at Orders of Battle.com