DIVISIONS
OF THE BRITISH ARMY 1939-1945
These extracts taken from ‘AAND WE SHALL SHOCK THEM - The British
Army in the Second World War’ by David Fraser.
Published by Hodder & Stoughton - Appendix I
Apart from Home Defence “County” Divisions, and
excluding divisions of the Indian Army and Colonial Divisions, the British
Army formed forty-eight divisions in the Second World War.
Armoured
Divisions
An
armoured division’s organisation was frequently changed. Typical-ly,
it consisted of one or more armoured brigades, each consisting of three
or four tank regiments: a total of some two hundred tanks, normally cruiser
tanks. In addition, an armoured division had a support group, or lorried
infantry brigade; and each armoured brigade had one or more “motor
battalions” — infantry travelling in special vehicles designed
for cross-country work and thus able to move with tanks. An armoured division
had, normally, its own armoured-car regiment, for reconnaissance. The
divisional artillery, typically, consisted of field artillery regiments
of three batteries, each of eight guns; regiments on a scale of one to
each brigade of the division. The divisional artillery also frequently
included an anti-tank regiment and a light anti-aircraft regiment. The
divisional engineers normally comprised a field squadron for the close
support of each brigade, and a field park of heavy and specialised equipment.
Divisional Signals were responsible for communications down to and including
Regimental and Battalion Headquarters: within the regiment or battalion
communications were a regimental matter. There was also, on occasions,
an independent machine-gun company.
An armoured division’s logistic troops included field ambulances
and the ability to set up an advanced dressing station as well as support
each brigade with posts for the immediate handling and clearing of casualties.
There were a number of transport companies for the supply of the division
forward of a distribution point which would be established and itself
supplied by corps or army transport. There were Ordnance field parks —
mobile distribution and supply centres handling the entire, huge business
of spares replacement: and in an armoured division were field workshops,
normally on a scale of one for each brigade, in addition to the fitters
and detachments for “light aid” — immediate repair or
preparation for backloading — attached to each unit. The division
consisted of between 10,000 and 14,000 men and had a total of between
3,000 and 4,000 vehicles of all types. It needed about 140 miles of road
for column movement. The British Army possessed or formed eleven armoured
divisions during the Second World War, as listed below. In addition there
were formed or deployed some fourteen independent armoured or tank brigades.
In ordinary usage an “armoured” brigade was equipped with
cruiser tanks, a “tank” or “army tank” brigade
with “infantry” tanks (examples are the “Matilda”
and the “Churchill” tanks), slow-moving, heavily armoured,
designed for close support of infantry rather than for manoeuvre, and
normally placed in support of a nominated infantry division. Some armoured
brigades originally formed part of armoured divisions but were later made
independent brigade groups and used as corps, army or army group reserves.
| DIVISIONS |
THEATRES
OF ACTIVE SERVICE |
COMMENT |
| Guards |
North-West
Europe |
Formed
from a number of Guards brigades in 1941, and engaged in the Battles
of Normandy, the advance to the Nederrijn, the Rhineland, the crossing
of the Rhine and the advance to the Elbe. All regiments of the Household
Troops were represented. |
| 1st |
France
1940,
Egypt and Libya
Tunisia
Italy |
Formally
the “Mobile Division”, a Regular division in the United Kingdom,
the division moved to France in incomplete form in 1940. In November
1941 it moved to Egypt, and engaged in the Battles of Gazala and
Alamein, advancing with Eighth Army to Tunisia thereafter. In Italy
the division fought as part of Eighth Army once again. |
| 2nd |
Egypt |
Formed
in 1939, the division was divided on reaching the Mediterranean,
and its 1st Armoured Brigade sent to Greece. The Headquarters was
overrun in Cyrenaica in Rommel’s offensive of spring 1941 and the
division was not reformed thereafter. |
| 6th |
Tunisia
Italy |
Formed
in 1940, 6th Armoured Division was among the first to reach Tunisia
as part of First Army, and fought at Bou Arada and Fondouk. In Italy
the division fought under Eighth Army to the end. |
| 7th |
Egypt
and Libya
Tunisia
Italy
North-West Europe |
The
original Middle Last “Mobile Division” (General Hobart) was redesignated
7th Armoured Division in February 1940. The original “Desert Rats”,
they fought in O’Connor’s first offensive which ended with the destruction
or capture of the Italian Army at Beda Fomm; in the Western Desert
battles of 1941 and 1942, culminating in the victories of Alam Li
Halfa and Alamein; in the advance of Eighth Army to Tunisia; in
the Salerno landings and the South Italian campaign; and were then
transferred to England to take part in OVERLORD,
the Battles of Normandy and the Low Countries, and the crossing
of the Rhine. |
| 8th |
Egypt |
The
division was formed in England in 1940 and moved to Egypt in 1942:
but never operated as a division and was disbanded in January 1943. |
| 9th |
|
Formed
and disbanded in the United Kingdom. |
| 10th |
Egypt |
Formed
originally in Palestine from 1st Cavalry Division, was moved to
Egypt and took part in the Battles of Alam El Haifa and Alamein,
and thereafter moved to Syria. It was disbanded in Egypt in 1944. |
| 11th |
North-West
Europe |
Formed
in England in 1941, 11th Armoured Division was, like Guards Armoured
Division, retained in England for OVERLORD.
The division took part in the Battles of Normandy, took Antwerp,
advanced into the Low Countries and engaged in Operation VERITABLE. |
| 42nd |
|
Formed
and disbanded in the United Kingdom, from 42nd (Infantry) Division,
a first-line Territorial division from Lancashire (q.v.). |
| 79th |
North-West
Europe |
Formed
in the United Kingdom in 1942, in 1943 79th Armoured Division was
given responsibility for the development of all “special armoured
vehicles” — amphibious tanks, minefield and obstacle-clearing tanks
and assault engineer vehicles, flame throwers et al. As such it
did not operate as a division but individual brigades, regiments
and squadrons supported particular formations in North-West Europe,
dependent on the needs of the battle: and were crucial to its success. |
Infantry
Divisions
An infantry division normally consisted of three infantry brigades, each
of three battalions, and with divisional artillery, engineers and communications
on a scale comparable to an armoured division. Infantry divisions’
transport was mechanical throughout the war, although in some theatres
there was extensive reliance on mule-pack companies in support. There
was no troop-carrying transport established within the division: the infantry
marched, unless transport was specifically allocated. Logistic services
were, again, on a comparable scale to those in armoured divisions, although
tonnages to be carried, whether as spares or in re-supply, were, of course,
much less.
As with the armoured division many changes took place during the war,
in the size and shape of infantry divisions. The division’s size
increased as the war went on — at full strength it counted under
14,000 men in 1939 and over 18,000 in 1944. Vehicles increased from under
3,000 to over 4,000 (but including 1,000 motorcycles). There was little
difference in vehicle count between an infantry and an armoured division.
An anticipatory version of Parkinson’s Law applied, however, and
stores increased to fill the carrying capacity available. A British corps
of four divisions moving on one road would extend from London to Inverness.
It may be regarded as curious that the British Army retained certain divisions
at home, and disbanded some during the war. The reason was shortage of
manpower, and particularly of specialist power. It was more economic to
reinforce existing formations even at the cost of breaking up others.
The British Army possessed or formed thirty-five infantry divisions in
the Second World War, as listed below. In addition, there were formed
nine County divisions, for coastal defence, each commanding a number of
brigades but without the divisional troops which formed part of the establishment
of field force divisions. The list of the field force given below does
not include divisions of the Indian Army, nor the Colonial divisions.
Nor are listed independent Guards and infantry brigade groups, which formed
part of the field force and were placed in divisions as the need arose.
Finally there was a large number of more or less static brigades for Home
Defence, for the defence of Malta and other garrisons; numbering over
forty in sum.
| DIVISION |
THEATRES
OF ACTIVE SERVICE |
COMMENT |
| 1st |
France
and Belgium 1940
Tunisia
Italy |
The
division, one of the original Regular divisions of the army, was
part of the BEF. Evacuated at Dunkirk, it later took part in the
expedition of First Anny to Tunisia, and thereafter, in Italy, took
part in the fighting at Anzio, the advance to Rome and the Battles
of the Gothic Line. Like all infantry divisions its battalions,
as the war went on, were a mixture of Regular and Territorial or
wartime battalions. |
| 2nd |
France
and Belgium 1940
Burma |
An
original Regular division and part of the BEF. The division moved
from England to India in 1942, and was brought into the Battle of
Kohima, taking part thereafter in CAPITAL
in 1944. |
| 3rd |
France
and Belgium 1940
North-West Europe |
An
original Regular division and part of the BEF. The division took
part in OVERLORD. the Battles of Normandy,
the advance into the Low Countries, VERITABLE
and the crossing of the Rhine. |
| 4th |
France
and Belgium 1940
Tunisia
Italy |
An
original Regular division and part of the BEF. The division took
part in the Tunisian campaign in First Army, and in the Italian
campaign as part of Eighth Army; and was moved to Greece in the
crisis of December 1944. |
| 5th |
France
and Belgium 1940
Sicily
Italy |
An
original Regular division and part of the BEF. Two brigades took
part in the expedition to and fighting in Madagascar in 1942. In
1942 the division was sent to India, and thence to Persia, Iraq,
Syria and thence took part in the landings in Sicily — HUSKY
— and in the advance up the east flank of Italy to the Battles of
the Sangro in 1943. In 1944 the division was engaged on the West
Italian flank, in the crossing of the Garigliano, and the Anzio
landings; and in the advance to Rome in summer 1944. |
| 8th |
Palestine |
A
Regular division before the war, the division was disbanded in Palestine
in 1940 |
| 12th |
France
and Belgium 1940 |
A
Territorial division, with regiments mainly recruited in the Home
Counties, the division moved to France for “labour duties” and was
caught up, without supporting artillery, logistic or communications,
in the campaign which began in May 1940. Disbanded in England in
July 1940. |
| 15th |
North-West
Europe |
A
Territorial division, 15th was a Scottish division, formed in the
main from Scottish regiments. An OVERLORD
division it took part in the Battles of Normandy, the advance in
the Low Countries, VERITABLE, and the Rhine
crossing. |
| 18th |
Malaya
and Singapore |
A
Territorial division, drawn from East Anglia, 18th was sent to India
at the end of 1941 and immediately diverted to Singapore, where
part of the division was deployed forwards to the mainland. The
division was largely destroyed or taken prisoner in the fighting
on Singapore Island. |
| 23rd |
France
and Belgium 1940 |
A
Territorial division, with North Country regiments from Durham and
Yorkshire, 23rd Division suffered the same fate as 12th (q.v.).
It was disbanded. |
| 36th |
Burma |
Originally
an Indian division, 36th became a British division in 1944 and took
part in the march south from the Northern Combat Area Command, joining
Fourteenth Army in the Battles for Mandalay. |
| 38th |
|
A
Territorial division, formed in 1939 and disbanded in England in
1944. |
| 42nd |
France
and Belgium 1940 |
A
Territorial division, almost entirely composed of Lancashire and
Manchester regiments, 42nd Division served in the BEE, and in November
1941 was converted into an armoured division (q.v.). |
| 43rd |
North-West
Europe |
A
Territorial division, composed of regiments from the Wessex Counties,
43rd Division took part in OVERLORD, the
Normandy battles, the advance in the Low Countries, VERITABLE,
and the Rhine crossing. |
| 44th |
France
and Belgium 1940
Egypt |
A
Territorial division, and part of the BEF in 1940, the division
was composed of regiments from the Home and Southern Counties. In
1942 the division was sent to Egypt, arriving for the Battles of
Alam El Haifa and Alamein. It was disbanded in January 1943. |
| 45th |
|
A
Territorial division, disbanded in England in 1944. |
| 46th |
France
and Belgium 1940
Tunisia
Italy |
Composed
of regiments from the Midlands and Yorkshire, 46th Division, a Territorial
division, was part of the BEF, and then took part in the Tunisian
campaign as part of First Army. The division landed at Salerno,
and advanced up the west coast of Italy; and after the fall of Rome
took part in the Battles of the Gothic Line. |
| 47th |
|
Originally
the 2nd (London) Territorial Division, 47th Division was so designated
in November 1940. It originally consisted primarily of London regiments
but at some time also included battalions from Scotland, Ireland
and the West Country. It was disbanded in 1944. |
| 48th |
France
and Belgium 1940 |
With
regiments from Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire,
Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, as well as Irish
and Scottish battalions at various times, 48th Division, a Territorial
division, was highly representative and its designation of “South
Midland”, applicable to its origins rather than its ultimate character.
The division was part of the BEF and ceased to be a first-line division
in 1942. |
| 49th |
Norway
1940
North-West Europe |
49th
Division, a Territorial division, was nominally a Yorkshire division
but included battalions from Welsh and Midland regiments as well.
Although not fighting as a division, its brigades fought individually
in the Norwegian Expedition of 1940. Thereafter it became an OVERLORD
division, fought in the Battles of Normandy, and as part of I Corps
in the operations to clear the Scheldt. |
| 50th |
France
and Belgium 1940
Egypt
Libya
Tunisia
Sicily
North-West Europe |
50th
Division, a Territorial division, was rooted in the north. Its regiments
were largely from Northumberland, Durham and Yorkshire. It had,
however, as the war continued, brigades with London, Midland and
Home Counties regiments as well. Originally part of the BEF, 50th
Division went to the Middle East in the spring of 1941 and was first
sent to Iraq and Syria. Deployed then to Egypt it took part in the
Western Desert battles of 1942, culminating in Alamein; advanced
with Eighth Army to Tunisia; landed in Sicily; was withdrawn to
England for OVERLORD, and took part in the
Battles of Normandy, and the advance in the Low Countries. |
| 51st |
France
1940
Egypt
Libya
Tunisia
Sicily
North-West Europe |
51st
(Highland) Division, a Territorial division composed of Highland
regiments, was surrounded and forced to surrender at St. Valéry-en-Caux
in June 1940. Reconstituted in England by the renaming, in August
1940, of 9th (Highland) Division, it moved to Egypt in August 1942
in time for the Battle of Alamein. Thereafter it advanced with Eighth
Army to Tunisia, landed in Sicily, and was withdrawn to England
for OVERLORD. The division took part in
the Battles of Normandy, in Operation VERITABLE
and in the Rhine crossing. |
| 52nd |
France
1940
North-West Europe |
52nd
Division, a Territorial division composed in the main of Lowland
Scots and Glasgow regiments, was sent to France to “start a new
BEF” in 1940 and evacuated from western French ports in June. Thereafter
the division was deployed to North West Europe in October 1944,
took part in the clearance of the Scheldt, in Operation VERITABLE
and in the Rhine crossing. |
| 53rd |
North-West
Europe |
A
Welsh Territorial division, composed of Welsh regiments, 53rd Division
crossed to Normandy in June 1944 and took part in the Battles of
Normandy, the advance in the Low Countries, VERITABLE
and the Rhine crossing. |
| 54th |
|
A
Territorial division, based in West Lancashire, 54th Division remained
in the United Kingdom. |
| 56th |
France
and Belgium 1940
Burma |
Originally
1st (London) Territorial Division, 56th Division was largely composed
of London and Home Counties regiments although commanding also,
at various times, Scottish battalions and a Guards brigade. Part
of the BEF in 1940, the division was sent to India in 1942, and
thence to the Kohima Battle in 1944, followed by CAPITAL
and the campaign for Mandalay in 1945. |
| 59th |
North-West
Europe |
A
Territorial division, primarily of Staffordshire but also of Lancashire
regiments, the division took part in OVERLORD
and the Battles of Normandy, and was disbanded in October 1944. |
| 61st |
|
A
Territorial division, formed in September 1939, and retained in
the United Kingdom. |
| 66th |
|
A
Territorial division, formed in September 1939 and disbanded in
the United Kingdom in June 1940. |
| 70th |
Egypt
Libya
India |
Originally
a Regular division — 7th Division — in Egypt, and then redesignated
6th Division until October 1941. 70th Division formed part of the
garrison of Tobruk, and took part in the CRUSADER
battle when Tobruk was relieved. Thereafter the division was sent
to India and formed the basis of “Special Force”, the Chindit Long
Range Penetration force. The division was disbanded as such in November
1943. |
| 76th |
|
Formed
in England in 1941 and disbanded in 1944. |
| 77th |
|
A
career exactly parallel to that of 76th Division (q.v.). These divisions
were redesignated from the “County” division formed to act as immediate
defence on the coast, against invasion in 1940; and, like several
other divisions, were ultimately disbanded in order to provide reinforcements
for other formations. |
| 78th |
Tunisia
Sicily
Italy |
78th
Division was formed in England in 1942, with regiments from several
parts of the United Kingdom, with a Guards brigade, and no clear
Territorial affiliation. The division took part in the Tunisian
campaign as part of First Army, in the landings in Sicily, and in
the Italian campaign as part of Eighth Army, until the final act. |
| 80th |
|
Formed
in 1943 and disbanded in 1944 in the United Kingdom. |
Airborne
Divisions
The airborne division, an innovation of the Second World War, was the
outcome of extensive experiment during the war and in battle itself. The
general pattern was that of parachute troops dropping — or, at least,
trained and equipped to drop — by parachute, and airlanded troops
arriving by glider or by (later) transport aircraft. The establishment
provided for two parachute and one airlanding brigades.
Supporting arms and logistic services were based on a comparable scale
to other divisions — a field squadron or company of engineers, a
field ambulance, supporting each brigade for instance; and those supporting
the parachute brigades were themselves parachute troops. The armoured
reconnaissance and artillery regiments (including antitank artillery)
were airlanded. An airborne division consisted of 12,000 men: 1,000 scout
cars (lightly protected); 3,000 bicycles; 1,000 motorcycles; about six
hundred “soft skinned” vehicles; and twenty-two light tanks.
The British Army formed two airborne divisions in the Second World War.
They are listed below. Parachute brigades were switched between divisions,
or fought as infantry in other, non-airborne, divisions.
| DIVISION |
THEATRES
OF ACTIVE SERVICE |
COMMENT |
| 1st |
Tunisia
Sicily
Italy
North-West Europe |
1st
Airborne Division was formed in 1941. Brigades took part in the
North African landings as part of First Army: the Sicilian landings
as part of Eighth Army: the Italian landings (from the sea) and
the Italian campaign until the spring of 1944. The division was
reassembled in England as Part of I (Airborne) Corps and took part
in MARKET GARDEN, being dropped at Arnhem.
Thereafter, after heavy casual ties, the remainder were withdrawn
to England. |
| 6th |
North-West
Europe |
6th
Airborne Division was formed in 1943. It took part in OVERLORD,
attacking ahead of the seaborne assault on D Day. After the early
Normandy battles, the division was withdrawn to England, and again
deployed to North-West Europe in reserve during the Ardennes offensive
of Christmas 1944. Withdrawn again to England in February 1945,
the division took part in the Rhine crossing, as a division and
in the airborne role. |
Foonote
Operation
keyewords used
|
CAPITAL |
British
offensive in Burma, December 1944 |
|
CRUSADER |
British
offensive in the Western Desert, November 1941 |
|
HUSKY |
Allied
invasion of Sicily, July 1943 |
|
MARKET
GARDEN |
Army
offensive to cross the Meuse, Waal and Nederrijn Rivers, September
1944 |
|
OVERLORD |
German
offensive in Tunisia, February 1943 |
|
VERITABLE |
British
and Canadian offensive between Meuse and Rhine, February 1945 |
Last updated
16 June, 2007
|
