| 211th Infantry Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 11 October 1940-1 September 1944 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 British Army |
| Type | Infantry Brigade |
| Role | Home Defence |
211th Infantry Brigade (211 Bde) was a Home Defence formation of the British Army during World War II.
Origin[]
The brigade was formed for service in the United Kingdom on 11 October 1940 by No 11 Infantry Training Group in the South West Area of Southern Command. Initially under the name of 211th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) it was composed of newly-raised battalions.
Composition[]
The composition of 211 Bde was as follows:[1]
- 11th Bn Devonshire Regiment (until 20 September 1942)
- 10th Bn East Surrey Regiment (until 2 January 1943)
- 9th Bn Somerset Light Infantry (until 19 May 1941)
- 14th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (22 June- 3 October 1941)
- 13th Bn Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) (20 September 1942 – 20 July 1944)
- 2/6th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers (5 October 1942 – 25 October 1943)
- 7th Bn Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment (5 January 1943 – 20 April 1944)
- 8th Bn Devonshire Regiment (3 November 1943_23 July 1944)
- 12th Bn Royal Fusiliers (17 September 1943 – 21 July 1944)
- 5th Bn King's Shropshire Light Infantry (from 20 July 1944)
- 8th Bn Worcestershire Regiment (from 25 July 1944)
- 8th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment (from 22 July 1944)
- 9th (Caernarvonshire and Anglesey) Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (from 23 July 1944)[2]
Commanders[]
The commanders of 211 Bde were:[1]
- Brigadier C.H. Woodhouse (until 1 September 1941)
- Brigadier T. Fairfax-Ross (1 September 1941 – 4 August 1944)
- Brigadier P.N. White (from 4 August 1944)
Service[]
On 28 February 1941, HQ South West Area formed Devon and Cornwall County Division, which included the brigade. On 1 December 1941, the County Division was redesignated 77th Infantry Division and the brigade became 211th Infantry Brigade. The 77th was later designated a Reserve Division.[1][3] 211 Bde was transferred to 80th Infantry (Reserve) Division on 2 January 1943.[1][4] When the 80th was disbanded on 1 September, 211 Bde was redesignated 114th Infantry Brigade in 38th (Reserve) Division.[1][5] All these formations remained within the UK throughout the war.
Notes[]
References[]
- George Forty, British Army Handbook 1939–1945, Stroud: Sutton Publishing, 1998, ISBN 0 7509 1403 3.
- Lt-Col H.F. Joslen, Orders of Battle, United Kingdom and Colonial Formations and Units in the Second World War, 1939–1945, London: HM Stationery Office, 1960/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2003, ISBN 1843424746.
The original article can be found at 211th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom) and the edit history here.