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 Independent [Infantry Brigade (Guards)|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. William [Fox-Pitt (British Army officer)|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