5th Guards Armoured Brigade

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. It took part in Operation Goodwood during the Battle of Caen. 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

5th Guards Armoured Brigade

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