The 1st Army Tank Brigade was a formation of the British Army during the Second World War. A Tank Brigade was intended to support the Infantry and was mostly equipped with slow moving Infantry tanks, unlike an Armoured Brigade, which was equipped with faster cruiser tanks and later its own motorised infantry. Initially using infantry nomenclature for its smaller units, company and section and having 175 light and infantry tanks, it later adopted cavalry nomenclature of squadron and troop and later in the War grew to 240 tanks.[1] Its designation was changed on 14 April 1940 to 1st Tank Brigade.[2]
| 1st Army Tank Brigade | |
|---|---|
 Brigade insignia | |
| Active | 3 September 1939–November 1944 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Armoured formation |
| Role | Armoured warfare |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | BEF |
| Engagements | |
History
The 1st Army Tank Brigade took part in the Battle of France, serving as part of the British Expeditionary Force. It fought against the Germans in Belgium and Northern France, providing the armour for the counter-attack at the Battle of Arras and covered the Allied retreat to Dunkirk. It lost all of its equipment on the beaches following the evacuation.
The reformed 1st Army Tank Brigade was transferred to North Africa, equipped with Valentine infantry tanks. The brigade took part in Operation Crusader, as part of the XIII Corps. Attached to the 2nd South African Division, it took part in the conquest of Bardia (December 1941 – January 1942).
The 1st Tank Brigade was disbanded 21 November 1944.[2]
Order of battle
From[3]
- 4th Royal Tank Regiment (September 1939 – December 1940)
- 7th Royal Tank Regiment (September 1939 – December 1940)
- 8th Royal Tank Regiment (September 1939 – September 1942) did not go to France
- 44th Royal Tank Regiment (December 1940 – May 1943)
- 49th Royal Tank Regiment (December 1940 – October 1944)
- 42nd Royal Tank Regiment (April 1941 – November 1944)
- 11th Royal Tank Regiment (October 1942 – October 1944)
Battle honours
- Tobruk 1941
- Gazala
- Defence of Alamein Line
- El Alamein[4]
See also
References
Bibliography
- Joslen, H. F. (2003) [1960]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939–1945. Uckfield, East Sussex: Naval and Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.