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21st Army Group 1944-45 v.2.0 July 22, 2001 Dr. Graham Watson The 21st Army Group commanded the various British, Canadian and Polish divisions, which formed a major component of the Allied Expeditionary Force which landed in Normandy and liberated western Europe from Nazi occupation. Under the command of Montgomery, the Army Group commanded six armoured divisions, two airborne divisions and eleven infantry divisions, together with a number of independent brigades. Amongst the latter were Belgian, Dutch and Czech units. French units served under the American contribution:12th Army Group, commanded by Omar Bradley. Shortly before the German capitulation, a further armoured division and two infantry divisions transferred from Italy and joined 21st Army Group. For operations, divisions were allocated either to 1st Canadian Army or to 2nd British Army. Each army was composed of a number of corps, which could and were switched between the two armies to meet changing operational requirements. These corps were 1st, 2nd Canadian, 8th, 13th and 30th. In April 1945 they were joined by 1st Canadian Corps on transfer from Italy. Normally each corps consisted of one armoured division, two infantry divisions and one or two independent armoured brigades, but this composition varied according to operational circumstances. The following list of formations includes all major units within each. The date in brackets after the title of the division is the date on which the formation became operational in France. By 1944 the British Army had standardised the composition of its divisions in Europe. The armoured division was made up of one armoured brigade, one lorried infantry brigade and divisional troops. The infantry division was made up of three infantry brigades and divisional troops. The airborne division was composed of two parachute brigades, one airlanding infantry brigade and divisional troops. In each case, divisional troops were made up of recce, machine-gun, artillery, engineer and signal units. Divisions had an administrative tail of transport, supply, medical and maintenance units. In the following details of composition, divisional troops are listed before individual brigades.
21st ARMY GROUP 1944-1945 |
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D-DAY LANDINGS 6th June 1944 |
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HQ 2nd Army |
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HQ I Corps |
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6th Airborne Division (Eastern Flank) |
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3rd Infantry Division (Sword Beach) |
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3rd Canadian Infantry Division (Juno Beach) |
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HQ XXX Corps |
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50th Northumbrian Division (Gold Beach) |
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(elements of 79th Armored Division operated on all three beaches) |
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Immediate followup divisions |
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51 Highland Division |
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49 West Riding Division |
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7 Armored Division |
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NORMANDY |
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Operation ‘Epsom’ 25th-30th June |
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HQ VIII Corps |
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11 Armored Division |
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15 Scottish Division |
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43 Wessex Division |
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53 Welsh Division |
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Operation ‘Charnwood’ 7-9th July |
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HQ I Corps |
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3 Infantry Division |
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59 Staffordshire Division |
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2 Canadian Infantry Division |
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Actions along the river Odon 10th-18th July |
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HQ I Corps |
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51 Highland Division |
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2 Canadian Division |
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HQ XII Corps |
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43 Wessex Division |
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15 Scottish Division |
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53 Welsh Diviison |
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HQ XXX Corps |
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49 West Riding Division |
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59 Staffordshire Division |
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50 Northumbrian Diviison |
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Operation ‘Goodwood’ 18th-21st July |
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HQ VIII Corps |
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7 Armored Division |
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Guards Armored Division |
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11th Armored Division |
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HQ II Canadian Corps |
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3 Canadian Infantry Division |
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2 Canadian Infantry Division |
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HQ I Corps |
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3 Infantry Division |
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21st ARMY GROUP on 26th July 1944 |
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HQ 1 Canadian Army |
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HQ I Corps |
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6 Airborne Division |
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49 West Riding Division |
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3 Infantry Division |
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51 Highland Division |
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Army Reserve-11 Armored Division |
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HQ 2 Army |
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HQ II Canadian Corps |
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Guards Armored Division |
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7 Armored Division |
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3 Canadian Infantry Division |
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2 Canadian Infantry Division |
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HQ XII Corps |
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43 Wessex Division |
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53 Welsh Division |
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59 Staffordshire Division |
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HQ XXX Corps |
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50 Northumbrian Division |
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15 Scottish Division |
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in army reserve-4 Canadian Armored Division |
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Operation ‘Bluecoat’ 29th July-6th August |
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HQ 2 Army |
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HQ XII Corps |
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59 Staffordshire Division |
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HQ XXX Corps |
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50 Northumbrian Division |
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7 Armored Division |
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43 Wessex Division |
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HQ VIII Corps |
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15 Scottish Division |
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11 Armored Division |
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Operation ‘Totalize’ 7th-11th August |
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HQ II Canadian Corps |
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2 Canadian Infantry Division |
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51 Highland Division |
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49 West Riding Division |
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later formations= |
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1 Polish Armored Division |
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4 Canadian Armored Division |
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53 Welsh Division |
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Envelopment of Falaise Pocket |
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1 Canadian Army |
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I Corps |
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49 West Riding Division |
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51 Highland Division |
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II Canadian Corps |
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1 Polish Armored Division |
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4 Canadian Armored Division |
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2 Canadian Infantry Division |
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2 British Army |
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XII Corps |
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53 Welsh Division |
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59 Staffordshire Division |
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43 Wessex Division |
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XXX Corps |
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50 Northumbrian Division |
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VIII Corps |
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11 Armored Division |
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3 Infantry Division |
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THE BREAKOUT FROM NORMANDY TO SCHELDE |
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2nd Army |
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XXX Corps crosses Seine on right flank and advances to Brussels with |
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Guards Armored Division |
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11 Armored Division |
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8 Armored Brigade |
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50 Northumbrian Division |
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with 43 Wessex Division to follow up |
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XII Corps crosses Seine on left flank and advances towards Antwrp with |
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7 Armored Division |
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4 Armored Brigade |
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53 Welsh Division |
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and 15 Scottish Division to follow up |
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VIII Corps left behind in Normandy to provide transport for other two corps |
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1st Canadian Army |
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II Canadian Corps advances on the Channel ports with |
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2 Canadian Infantry Division –attacks Dieppe and then Dunkirk |
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3 Canadian Infantry Division –attacks Boulogne and Calais |
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and advances to Bruges and Ghent with |
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4 Canadian Armored Division |
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1 Polish Armored Division |
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I Corps attacks Le Havre with 49 and 51 Divisions |
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OPERATION ‘MARKET GARDEN’ –Arnhem 17th September |
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Alllied Airborne Corps |
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1 Airborne Division |
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1 Polish Parachute Brigade |
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82 US Airborne Division |
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101 US Airborne Division |
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XXX Corps |
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Guards Armored Division |
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43 Wessex Division |
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49 West Riding Division |
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50 Northumbrian Division |
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SCHELDE ESTUARY September-November |
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HQ II Canadian Corps |
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3 Canadian Infantry Division |
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4 Canadian Armored Division |
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1 Polish Armored Division |
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later=52 Lowland Division |
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HQ I Corps |
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49 West Riding Division |
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2 Canadian Armored Brigade |
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104 US Infantry Division |
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2 Canadian Infantry Division |
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ARDENNES December 1944-January 1945 |
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HQ XXX Corps |
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Guards Armored Division |
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43 Wessex Division |
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51 Highland Division |
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53 Welsh Division |
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REICHSWALD FOREST 8th February-10th March 1945 |
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HQ 1 Canadian Army |
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HQ II Canadian Corps |
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2 Canadian Infantry Division |
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3 Canadian Infantry Division |
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4 Canadian Armored Division |
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43 Wessex Division |
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HQ I Corps |
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15 Scottish Division |
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53 Welsh Division |
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51 Highland Division |
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later=52 Lowland Division |
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and 43 Wessex Division |
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HQ XXX Corps |
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11 Armored Division |
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3 Infantry Division |
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Guards Armored Division |
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RHINE CROSSING 23rd March 1945 |
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HQ 2 British Army |
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6 Airborne Division |
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HQ XXXCorps |
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51 Highland Division |
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9 Canadian Infantry Brigade |
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to be followed by |
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43 Wessex Division |
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HQ XII Corps |
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15 Scottish Division |
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1 Commando Brigade |
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to be followed by |
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53 Welsh Division |
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7 Armored Division |
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21ST ARMY GROUP 30th April 1945 |
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1st Canadian Army [in Netherlands and Germany] |
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HQ II Canadian Corps |
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4 Canadian Armored Division |
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5 Canadian Armored Division |
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1 Polish Armored Division |
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2 Canadian Infantry Division |
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3 Canadian Infantry Division |
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HQ I Canadian Corps |
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1 Canadian Infantry Division |
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49 West Riding Division |
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1 Canadian Armored Brigade |
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2 Canadian Armored Brigade |
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2nd British Army [in Germany] |
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6th Airborne Division |
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HQ VIII Corps |
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11 Armored Division |
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5 Infantry Division |
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15 Scottish Division |
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HQ XII Corps |
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7 Armored Division |
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53 Welsh Division |
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HQ XXX Corps |
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Guards Armored Division |
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43 Wessex Division |
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51 Highland Division |
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52 Lowland Division |
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Army Group reserve |
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79 Armored Division |
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4 Armored Brigade |
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8 Armored Brigade |
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34 Armored Brigade |
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Czech Armored Brigade |
Detailed Orbat of 21st Army Group Divisions and Brigades. Date in brackets is the date the formation arrived in France.
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GUARDS ARMOURED DIVISION [28th June 1944] |
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2 Bn Welsh Guards [recce bn] |
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55 Field Regiment RA |
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153 Field Regiment RA |
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21 Anti-tank Regiment RA |
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94 LAA Regiment RA |
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14 Field Squadron RE |
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615 Field Squadron RE |
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148 Field Park Squadron RE |
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11 Bridging Troop RE |
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Guards Armoured Division Signals |
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5 Guards Armoured Brigade |
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2 (Armoured) Bn, Grenadier Guards |
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1 (Armoured) Bn, Coldstream Guards |
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2 (Armoured) Bn, Irish Guards |
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1 (Motor) Bn, Grenadier Guards |
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32 Guards Infantry Brigade |
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5 Bn Coldstream Guards |
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3 Bn Irish Guards |
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1 Bn Welsh Guards [replaced by 2 Bn Scots Guards, March 1945] |
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7TH ARMOURED DIVISION [8th June 1944] |
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8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars [recce] |
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3 Independent Machine Gun Company, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers |
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3 Field Regiment RHA |
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5 Field Regiment RHA |
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65 Anti-tank Regiment RA |
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15 LAA Regiment RA |
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4 Field Squadron RE |
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621 Field Squadron RE |
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143 Field Park Squadron RE |
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7 Bridging Troop RE |
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7th Armoured Division Signals |
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22 Armoured Brigade |
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1st Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
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5th Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
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4th County of London Yeomanry [replaced by 5th Innsikilling Dragoon Gds 28/7/44] |
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1 Bn Rifle Brigade |
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131 Infantry Brigade |
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1/5 Bn Queens Regiment |
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1/6 Bn Queens Regiment [replaced by 2 Bn Devonshire Regt, December 1944] |
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1/7 Bn Queens Regiment [replaced by 9 Bn Durham Light Infantry, Dec 1944] |
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11TH ARMOURED DIVISION [13th June 1944] |
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2 Northamptonshire Yeomanry [recce] [replaced by 15th/19th Hussars, August 1944] |
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13 Field Regiment RHA |
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151 Field Regiment RA |
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75 Anti-tank Regiment RA |
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58 LAA Regiment RA |
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13 Field Squadron RE |
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612 Field Squadron RE |
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147 Field Park Squadron RE |
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10 Bridging Troop RE |
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11th Armoured Division Signals |
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29 Armoured Brigade |
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23rd Hussars |
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3rd Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
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Fife & Forfar Yeomanry |
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8 Bn Rifle Brigade |
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159 Infantry Brigade |
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4 Bn Kings Shropshire Light Infantry |
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3 Bn Monmouthshire Regiment [replaced by 1 Bn Cheshire Regiment, April 1945] |
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1 Herefordshire Regiment |
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4TH CANADIAN ARMOURED DIVISION [31st July 1944] |
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29 Recce Regiment (South Alberta Regiment) |
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15 Field Regiment RCA |
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23 Field Regiment RCA |
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5 Anti-tank Regiment RCA |
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8 LAA Regiment RCA |
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8 Field Squadron RCE |
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9 Field Squadron RCE |
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6 Field Park Squadron RCE |
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4th Canadian Armoured Division Signals |
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4 Canadian Armoured Brigade |
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21 Armoured Regiment (Governor-General’s Foot Guards) |
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22 Armoured Regiment (Canadian Grenadier Guards) |
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28 Armoured Regiment (British Columbia Regiment) |
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The Lake Superior Regiment (motor) |
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10 Canadian Infantry Brigade |
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Lincoln and Welland Regiment |
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Algonguin Regiment |
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Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada |
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1ST POLISH ARMOURED DIVISION [1st August 1944] |
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10 Polish Mounted Rifle Regiment (recce) |
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1 Polish Field Regiment |
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2 Polish Field Regiment |
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1 Polish Anti-tank Regiment |
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1 Polish LAA Regiment |
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1 Polish Armoured Division Engineers |
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1 Polish Armoured Division Signals |
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10 Polish Armoured Brigade |
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1 Polish Armoured Regiment |
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2 Polish Armoured Regiment |
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24 Polish Armoured (Lancer) Regiment |
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10 Polish Motor Battalion (Dragoons) |
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3 Polish Infantry Brigade |
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1 Polish Battalion (Podhale Rifle Bn) |
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8 Polish Battalion |
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9 Polish Battalion |
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79TH ARMOURED DIVISION [6th June 1944] |
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This division was NOT a normal armoured division. It was made up of a large number of specialised armoured units which had been trained and equipped for tasks such as assault on fortifications, mine-clearance, bridge-laying. Units were placed under command of other corps, divisions and brigades when needed. HQ 79th Armoured Division was the administrative ‘parent’ of these special units which were given the nickname ‘Hobart’s Funnies’ after the division’s commander Major General Hobart. |
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43 Bn Royal Tank Regiment (recce) [replaced by Staffordshire Yeomanry, Aug.1944] |
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added October-November 1944-11 Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
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added Oct-nov 1944-1 Fife & Forfar Yeomanry |
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no divisional artillery |
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no divisional engineers |
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no divisional signals |
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30 Armoured Brigade [mine clearance] |
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22nd Dragoons |
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Westminster Dragoons |
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1 Lothians and Border Horse |
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added December 1944 to April 1945-11 Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
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added March to Arpil 1945-4 Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
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1 Assault Brigade RE -until April 1945 [AVREs-assault on fortifications] |
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5 Assault Regiment RE |
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6 Assault Regiment RE |
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42 Assault Regiment RE |
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149 Assault Park Squadron RE |
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87 Assault Dozer Squadorn RE |
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1 Tank Brigade -until October 1944 [CDL-mobile searchlights] |
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11 Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
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42 Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
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49 Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
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31 Tank Brigade –from October 1944 [flamethrowers /armoured personnel carriers] |
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1 Fife & Forfar Yeomanry |
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11 Bn Royal Tank Regiment -until December 1944 |
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141 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps |
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added Dec 1944 until February 1945-49 APC Regiment |
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added Dec 1944 until Feb 1945-1 Canadian APC Regiment |
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added April 1945-4 Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
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added April 1945-Staffordshire Yeomanry |
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33 Armoured Brigade –from January 1945 [various roles] |
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1 Northamptonshire Yeomanry |
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144 Regiment RAC replaced by 2 RTR Feb 1945 and then by 11RTR April 1945] |
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1 East Riding Yeomanry |
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11 Bn Royal Tank Regiment –until March 1945 |
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1ST AIRBORNE DIVISION [17.9.44] |
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[Employed only for Operation Market Garden-Arnhem –where it was destroyed] |
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1 Airlanding Recce Squadron |
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1 Airlanding Light Regiment RA |
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1, 2, 5, 204 Airborne Anti-tank Batteries RA |
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1, 283 Airborne LAA Batteries RA |
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9 Field Company RE |
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1 Parachute Squadron RE |
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4 Parachute Squadron RE |
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261 Field Park Squadron RE |
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1 Airborne Division Signals |
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1 Airlanding Brigade |
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7 Bn Kings Own Scottish Borderers |
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1 Bn Border Regiment |
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2 Bn South Staffordshire Regiment |
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1 Parachute Brigade |
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1 Parachute Bn |
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2 Parachute Bn |
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3 Parachute Bn |
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4 Parachute Brigade |
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10 Parachute Bn |
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11 Parachute Bn |
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156 Parachute Bn |
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Under command for Operation Market Garden- |
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1 Polish Independent Parachute Brigade |
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1 Polish Parachute Bn |
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2 Polish Parachute Bn |
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3 Polish Parachute Bn |
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6TH AIRBORNE DIVISION [6th June 1944] |
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Operational in Normandy 6th June-3rd September-then returned to UK –in 21st Army Group again from 24th December 1944 |
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6 Airborne Recce Regiment |
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53 Airlanding Light Regiment RA |
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2 Airlanding Anti-tank/LAA Regiment –from February 1945 |
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3 Parachute Squadron RE |
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591 Parachute Squadron RE |
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249 Field Company RE |
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286 Field Park Company RE |
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6th Airborne Division Signals |
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6 Airlanding Brigade |
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12 Bn Devonshire Regiment |
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2 Bn Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry |
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1 Bn Royal Ulster Rifles |
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3 Parachute Brigade |
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1 Canadian Parachute Bn |
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8 Parachute Bn |
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9 Parachute Bn |
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5 Parachute Brigade |
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7 Parachute Bn |
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12 Parachute Bn |
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13 Parachute Bn |
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3RD INFANTRY DIVISION [6th June 1944] |
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3 Recce Regiment |
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2 Bn Middlesex Regiment (machine gun) |
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7 Field Regiment RA |
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23 Field Regiment RA [replaced by 76 Field Regiment, March 1945] |
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33 Field Regiment RA |
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20 Anti-tank Regiment RA |
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92 LAA Regiment RA |
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17 Field Company RE |
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246 Field Company RE |
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253 Field Company RE |
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15 Field Park Company RE |
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2 Bridging Platoon RE |
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3rd Infantry Division Signals |
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8th Infantry Brigade |
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1 Bn Suffolk Regiment |
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2 Bn East Yorkshire Regiment |
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1 Bn South Lancashire Regiment |
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9th Infantry Brigade |
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2 Bn Lincolnshire Regiment |
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1 Bn Kings Own Scottish Borderers |
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2 Bn Royal Ulster Rifles |
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185th Infantry Brigade |
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2 Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment |
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1 Bn Royal Norfolk Regiment |
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2 Bn Kings Shropshire Light Infantry |
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15TH (SCOTTISH) INFANTRY DIVISION [14th June 1944] |
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15 Recce Regiment |
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1 Bn Middlesex Regiment (machine gun) |
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131 Field Regiment RA |
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181 Field Regiment RA |
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190 Field Regiment RA |
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97 Anti-tank Regiment RA [replaced by 102 Atk Regt, December 1944] |
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119 LAA Regiment RA |
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278 Field Company RE |
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279 Field Company RE |
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624 Field Company RE |
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281 Field Park Company RE |
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26 Bridging Platoon RE |
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15th (Scottish) Infantry Division Signals |
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44th Infantry Brigade |
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8 Bn Royal Scots |
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6 Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers |
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6 Bn Kings Own Scottish Borderers |
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46th Infantry Brigade |
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9 Bn Cameronians |
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7 Bn Seaforth Highlanders |
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2 Bn Glasgow Highlanders |
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227th Infantry Brigade |
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10 Bn Highland Light Infantry |
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2 Bn Gordon Highlanders |
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2 Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders |
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43RD (WESSEX) INFANTRY DIVISION [24th June 1944] |
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43 Recce Regiment |
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1/8 Bn Middlesex Regiment (machine gun) |
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94 Field Regiment RA |
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112 Field Regiment RA |
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179 Field Regiment RA |
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59 Anti-tank Regiment RA |
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110 LAA Regiment RA |
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204 Field Company RE |
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260 Field Company RE |
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553 Field Company RE |
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207 Field Park Company RE |
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13 Bridging Platoon RE |
|
43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division Signals |
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129 Infantry Brigade |
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4 Bn Somerset Light Infantry |
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4 Bn Wiltshire Regiment |
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5 Bn Wiltshire Regiment |
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130 Infantry Brigade |
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7 Bn Hampshire Regiment |
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4 Bn Dorsetshire Regiment |
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5 Bn Dorsetshire Regiment |
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214 Infantry Brigade |
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5 Bn Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry |
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7 Bn Somerset Light Infantry |
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1 Bn Worcestershire Regiment |
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49TH (WEST RIDING) INFANTRY DIVISION [6th June 1944] |
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49 Recce Regiment |
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2 Bn Kensington Regiment (machine gun) |
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69 Field Regiment RA |
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143 Field Regiment RA |
|
185 Field Regiment RA [replaced by 74 Field Regiment, December 1944] |
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55 Anti-tank Regiment RA |
|
89 LAA Regiment RA |
|
294 Field Company RE |
|
756 Field Company RE |
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757 Field Company RE |
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289 Field Park Company RE |
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23 Bridging Platoon RE |
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49th (West Riding) Infantry Division Signals |
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70 Infantry Brigade- until 20th August 1944 |
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10 Bn Durham Light Infantry |
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11 Bn Durham Light Infantry |
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1 Bn Tyneside Scottish |
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56 Infantry Brigade –from 20th August 1944 |
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2 Bn South Wales Borderers [replaced by 7 Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers, April 1945] |
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2 Bn Gloucestershire Regiment |
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2 Bn Essex Regiment |
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146 Infantry Brigade |
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4 Bn Lincolnshire Regiment |
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1st/4th Bn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry |
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Hallamshire Battalion |
|
147 Infantry Brigade |
|
11 Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers |
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6 Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regiment [replaced by 1 Bn Leicestershire July 1944] |
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7 Bn Duke of Wellington’s Regiment |
|
|
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50TH (NORTHUMBRIAN) INFANTRY DIVISION [6th June 1944] |
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This division was withdrawn to the UK on 12th December 1944 because of heavy casualties. |
|
61 Recce Regiment |
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2 Bn Cheshire Regiment (machine gun) |
|
74 Field Regiment RA |
|
90 Field Regiment RA |
|
124 Field Regiment RA |
|
102 Anti-tank Regiment RA |
|
25 LAA Regiment RA |
|
233 Field Company RE |
|
234 Field Company RE |
|
295 Field Company RE |
|
235 Field Park Company RE |
|
15 Bridging Platoon Re |
|
50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division Signals |
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69 Infantry Brigade |
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5 Bn East Yorkshire Regiment |
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6 Bn Green Howards |
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7 Bn Green Howards |
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151 Infantry Brigade |
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6 Bn Durham Light Infantry |
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8 Bn Durham Light Infantry |
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9 Bn Durham Light Infantry |
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231 Infantry Brigade |
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2 Bn Devonshire Regiment |
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1 Bn Dorsetshire Regiment |
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1 Bn Hampshire Regiment |
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51ST (HIGHLAND) INFANTRY DIVISION [6th June 1944] |
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2 Derbyshire Yeomanry [recce] |
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1/7 Bn Middlesex Regiment (machine gun) |
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126 Field Regiment RA |
|
127 Field Regiment RA |
|
128 Field Regiment RA |
|
61 Anti-tank Regiment RA |
|
40 LAA Regiment RA |
|
274 Field Company RE |
|
275 Field Company RE |
|
276 Field Company RE |
|
239 Field Park Company RE |
|
16 Bridging Platoon RE |
|
51st (Highland) Infantry Division Signals |
|
152 Infantry Brigade |
|
2 Bn Seaforth Highlanders |
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5 Bn Seaforth Highlanders |
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5 Bn Cameron Highlanders |
|
153 Infantry Brigade |
|
5 Bn Black Watch |
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1 Bn Gordon Highlanders |
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5/7 Bn Gordon Highlanders |
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154 Infantry Brigade |
|
1 Bn Black Watch |
|
7 Bn Black Watch |
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7 Bn Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders |
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52ND (LOWLAND) INFANTRY DIVISION [October 1944] |
|
This division trained as a Mountain Division in the UK. It was redesignated an airlanding division for Operation Market Garden –but not used as such. Joined 1st Canadian Army to fight below sealevel in the Netherlands from October 1944 |
|
52 Recce Regiment |
|
7 Bn Manchester Regiment [machine gun] |
|
79 Field Regiment RA |
|
80 Field Regiment RA |
|
186 Field Regiment RA |
|
54 Anti-tank Regiment RA |
|
108 LAA Regiment RA |
|
202 Field Company RE |
|
241 Field Company RE |
|
554 Field Company RE |
|
243 Field Park Company RE |
|
17 Bridging Platoon RE |
|
52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division Signals |
|
155 Infantry Brigade |
|
7/9 Bn Royal Scots |
|
4 Bn Kings Own Scottish Borderers |
|
5 Bn Kings Own Scottish Borderers [replaced by 6 HLI in February 1945] |
|
156 Infantry Brigade |
|
4/5 Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers |
|
6 Bn Cameronians |
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7 Bn Cameronians [replaced by 1 Glasgow Hldrs in March 1945] |
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157 Infantry Brigade |
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5 Bn Highland Light Infantry |
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6 Bn Highland Light Infantry [replaced by 5 KOSB in March 1945] |
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1 Bn Glasgow Highlanders [replaced by 7 Cameronians, March 1945] |
|
|
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53RD (WELSH) INFANTRY DIVISION [27th June 1944] |
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53 Recce Regiment |
|
1 Bn Manchester Regiment (machine gun) |
|
81 Field Regiment RA |
|
82 Field Regiment RA |
|
133 Field Regiment RA |
|
71 Anti-tank Regiment RA |
|
116 LAA Regiment RA [replaced by 25 LAA Regiment, December 1944] |
|
244 Field Company RE |
|
282 Field Company RE |
|
555 Field Company RE |
|
285 Field Park Company RE |
|
22 Bridging Platoon RE |
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53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division Signals |
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71 Infantry Brigade |
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1 Bn East Lancashire Regiment [replaced by 4 RWF, August 1945] |
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1 Bn Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light /infantry |
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1 Bn Highland Light Infantry |
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158 Infantry Brigade |
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4 Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers [replaced by 1 Bn East Lancs Regt, August 1944] |
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6 Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers [replaced by 1/5 Bn Welch Regt, August 1944] |
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7 Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers [replaced by 2 SWB, April, 1945] |
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160 Infantry Brigade |
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4 Bn Welch Regiment |
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1/5 Bn Welch Regiment [replaced by 6 RWF, August 1944] |
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1 Bn Herefordshire Regiment |
|
|
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59TH (STAFFORDSHIRE) INFANTRY DIVISION [27th June 1944] |
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As the most junior division in 21st army Group, this division was broken up on 26th August 1944 to replace casualties in other divisions. |
|
59 Recce Regiment |
|
7 Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (machine gun) |
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61 Field Regiment RA |
|
110 Field Regiment RA |
|
116 Field Regiment RA |
|
68 Anti-tank Regiment RA |
|
68 LAA Regiment RA |
|
257 Field Company RE |
|
509 Field Company RE |
|
510 Field Company RE |
|
511 Field Park Company RE |
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24 Bridging Platoon RE |
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59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division Signals |
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176 Infantry Brigade |
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7 Bn Royal Norfolk Regiment |
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7 Bn South Staffordshire Regiment |
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6 Bn North Staffordshire Regiment |
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|
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177 Infantry Brigade |
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5 Bn South Staffordshire Regiment |
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1/6 Bn South Staffordshire Regiment |
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2/6 Bn South Staffordshire Regiment |
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197 Infantry Brigade |
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1/7 Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment |
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2/6 Bn Lancashire Fusiliers |
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5 Bn East Lancashire Regiment |
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2ND CANADIAN INFANTRY DIVISION [7th July 1944] |
|
8th Recce Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars) |
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Toronto Scottish Regiment (machine gun) |
|
4 Field Regiment RCA |
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5 Field Regiment RCA |
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6 Field Regiment RCA |
|
2 Anti-tank Regiment RCA |
|
3 LAA Regiment RCA |
|
2 Field Company RCE |
|
7 Field Company RCE |
|
11 Field Company RCE |
|
1 Field Park Company RCE |
|
2nd Canadian Infantry Division Signals |
|
4 Canadian Infantry Brigade |
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Royal Regiment of Canada |
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Royal Hamilton Light Infantry |
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Essex Scottish Regiment |
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5 Canadian Infantry Brigade |
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Black Watch of Canada |
|
Le Regiment de Maisonneuve |
|
Calgary Highlanders |
|
6 Canadian Infantry Brigade |
|
Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal |
|
Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada |
|
South Saskatchewan Regiment |
|
3RD CANADIAN INFANTRY DIVISION [6th June 1944] |
|
7 Recce Regiment (Royal Canadian Hussars) |
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Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (machine gun) |
|
12 Field Regiment RCA |
|
13 Field Regiment RCA |
|
14 Field Regiment RCA |
|
3 Anti-tank Regiment RCA |
|
4 LAA Regiment RCA |
|
6 Field Company RCE |
|
11 Field Company RCE |
|
18 Field Company RCE |
|
3 Field Park Company RCE |
|
3rd Canadian Infantry Division Signals |
|
7 Canadian Infantry Brigade |
|
Royal Winnipeg Rifles |
|
Regina Rifle Regiment |
|
1 Bn Canadian Scottish Regiment |
|
8 Canadian Infantry Brigade |
|
Queens Own Rifles of Canada |
|
Le Regiment de la Chaudiere |
|
North Shore Regiment |
|
9 Canadian Infantry Brigade |
|
Highland Light Infantry of Canada |
|
Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Highlanders |
|
North Nova Scotia Highlanders |
|
|
|
1ST TANK BRIGADE [from 79th Division August 1944] |
|
11 Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
|
42 Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
|
49 Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
|
2nd CANADIAN ARMOURED BRIGADE [July 1944] |
|
6 Armoured Regiment (1st Hussars) |
|
10 Armoured Regiment (Fort Garry Horse) |
|
27 Armoured Regiment (Sherbrooke Fusiliers) |
|
|
|
4TH ARMOURED BRIGADE [June 1944] |
|
Royal Scots Greys |
|
44 Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
|
3 County of London Yeomanry [to 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry 29.7.44] |
|
2 Bn Kings Royal Rifle Corps |
|
6TH GUARDS TANK BRIGADE [July 1944] |
|
4 (Tank) Bn Grenadier Guards |
|
4 (Tank) Bn Coldstream Guards |
|
4 (Tank) Bn Scots Guards |
|
|
|
8TH ARMOURED BRIGADE [June 1944] |
|
4th/7th Dragoon Guards |
|
24th Lancers [replaced by 13th/18th Hussars 29.7.44] |
|
Nottinghamshire Yeomanry |
|
12 Bn Kings Royal Rifle Corps |
|
27TH ARMOURED BRIGADE [June 1944] [disbanded 29.7.44] |
|
13th/18th Hussars |
|
1 East Riding Yeomanry |
|
Staffordshire Yeomanry |
|
31ST TANK BRIGADE [July 1944] [joined 79 Armoured Division 1.9.44] |
|
7 Bn Royal Tank Regiment [to 17.8.44] |
|
9 Bn Royal Tank Regiment |
|
144 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps {from 23.8.44] |
|
33RD ARMOURED BRIGADE [June 1944] |
|
1 Northamptonshire Yeomanry |
|
144 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps [to 23.8.44] |
|
148 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps [to 16.8.44] |
|
1 East Riding Yeomanry [from 16.8.44] |
|
34TH TANK BRIGADE [June 1944] |
|
107 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps |
|
147 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps |
|
152 Regiment Royal Armoured Corps [replaced by 9 RTR 24.8.44] |
|
56TH INFANTRY BRIGADE [6th June 1944] [to 49 Division 20.8.44] |
|
2 Bn South Wales Borderers |
|
2 Bn Gloucestershire Regiment |
|
2 Bn Essex Regiment |
|
1ST COMMANDO BRIGADE [6th June 1944] |
|
No 3 Commando |
|
No 4 Commando |
|
No 6 Commando |
|
No 45 Royal Marine Commando |
|
4TH COMMANDO BRIGADE [October 1944] |
|
No 41 Royal Marine Commando |
|
No 46 Royal Marine Commando |
|
No 47 Royal Marine Commando |
|
No 48 Royal Marine Commando |
|
1st BELGIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE [August 1944] |
|
1 Infantry Battalion |
|
2 Infantry Battalion |
|
3 Infantry Battalion |
|
1 Armoured Regiment |
|
1 Artillery Regiment |
|
ROYAL NETHERLANDS BRIGADE (PRINCESS IRENE’S) [4 August 1944] |
|
1 Motorised Infantry Company |
|
2 Motorised Infantry Company |
|
3 Motorised Infantry Company |
|
Recce Battalion |
|
Artillery Battery |
|
|
|
1 CZECH ARMOURED BRIGADE |
|
1 Tank Battalion |
|
2 Tank Battalion |
|
3 Tank Battalion |
|
1 Motorised Infantry Battalion |
|
1 Artillery Regiment |
|
Added in spring 1945 |
|
5TH CANADIAN ARMOURED DIVISION [April 1945] |
|
Governor General’s Horse Guards (recce) |
|
8 Field Regiment RCHA |
|
17 Field Regiment RCA |
|
4 Anti-tank Regiment RCA |
|
5 LAA Regiment RCA |
|
1 Field Squadron RCE |
|
10 Field Squadron RCE |
|
4 Field Park Squadron RCE |
|
5th Canadian Armoured Division Signals |
|
5 Canadian Armoured Brigade |
|
2 Armoured Regiment (Lord Strathcona’s Horse) |
|
5 Armoured Regiment (New Brunswick Horse) |
|
9 Armoured Regiment (British Columbia Dragoons) |
|
11 Canadian Infantry Brigade |
|
Cape Breton Highlanders |
|
Perth Regiment |
|
Irish Regiment of Canada |
|
1ST CANADIAN INFANTRY DIVISION [April 1945] |
|
Royal Canadian Dragoons |
|
Saskatoon Light Infantry (machine gun) |
|
1 Field Regiment RCA |
|
2 Field Regiment RCA |
|
3 Field Regiment RCA |
|
1 Anti-tank Regiment RCA |
|
2 LAA Regiment RCA |
|
1 Field Company RCE |
|
3 Field Company RCE |
|
4 Field Company RCE |
|
2 Field Park Company RCE |
|
1st Canadian Infantry Division Signals |
|
1 Canadian Infantry Brigade |
|
Royal Canadian Regiment |
|
Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment |
|
48th Highlanders of Canada |
|
2 Canadian Infantry Brigade |
|
Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry |
|
Seaforth Highlanders of Canada |
|
Loyal Edmonton Regiment |
|
3 Canadian Infantry Brigade |
|
Royal 22e Regiment |
|
Carlton & York Regiment |
|
West Nova Scotia Regiment |
|
5th INFANTRY DIVISION [April 1945] |
|
5 Recce Regiment |
|
7 Bn Cheshire Regiment (machine gun) |
|
91 Field Regiment RA |
|
92 Field Regiment RA |
|
156 Field Regiment RA |
|
52 Anti-tank Regiment RA |
|
18 LAA Regiment RA |
|
38 Field Company RE |
|
245 Field Company RE |
|
252 Field Company RE |
|
254 Field Park Company RE |
|
18 Bridging Platoon RE |
|
5th Infantry Division Signals |
|
13 Infantry Brigade |
|
2 Bn Cameronians |
|
5 Bn Essex Regiment |
|
2 Bn Wiltshire Regiment |
|
15 Infantry Brigade |
|
1 Bn Green Howards |
|
1 Bn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry |
|
1 Bn York & Lancaster Regiment |
|
17 Infantry Brigade |
|
2 Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers |
|
2 Bn Northamptonshire Regiment |
|
6 Bn Seaforth Highlanders |
|
117 Royal Marine Brigade [May 1945] |
|
27 RM Battalion |
|
28 RM Battalion |
|
30 RM Battalion |