The 5th Guards Armoured Brigade was an armoured brigade of the British Army, a component unit of the Guards Armoured Division, that served in the Second World War in North-west Europe from June 1944 until May 1945.

History

This brigade was converted from the 20th Infantry Brigade (Guards) on 15 September 1941. It was stationed in the United Kingdom on training and home defence duties, anticipating a potential German invasion. The brigade remained in the United Kingdom until 30 June 1944 when it arrived in Normandy with the rest of the Guards Armoured Division as part of Operation Overlord. The brigade served throughout the North West Europe Campaign. On 12 June 1945 it was converted to the 5th Guards Brigade.

Commanders

  • Brig. W.A.F.L. Fox-Pitt
  • Lieut. Col. R. Myddleton
  • Brig. C.M. Dillwyn-Venables-Llewelyn
  • Brig. Norman Wilmshurst Gwatkin 1943–45

Component Units

Structure upon formation in 1941:

  • Headquarters
  • 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards - Armoured
  • 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards - Motorized Infantry
  • 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards - Armoured
  • 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards - Armoured

See also

  • British Armoured formations of World War II
  • List of British brigades of the Second World War

References

External links

  • "5 Guards Armoured Brigade". Orders of Battle.com.
  • "5 Guards Brigade". Orders of Battle.com.




ADVANCE OF THE 5TH GUARDS ARMOURED BRIGADE A group of released POWs

Irish Guards Group, Guards Armoured Division, Aalst, 18 Sept 44 WW2Talk

The 5th Armored Brigade command team... 5th Armored Brigade

5th Guards Armoured Brigade, 2nd Battalion r/flamesofwar

5th Guards Armoured Brigade Set 1