18th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)


The 18th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army that saw active service during the First and the Second World Wars.

History

First World War

The 18th Brigade was formed from a mixture of regular and New Army battalions, and was part of the 6th Division. It saw action on the Western Front.

Order of battle

Components included:

Commanders

The following commanded the 18th Infantry Brigade during the First World War:
  • Brigadier-General W. N. Congreve
  • Brigadier-General H. S. Ainslie
  • Lieutenant-Colonel F. W. Towsey
  • Brigadier-General R. J. Bridgford
  • Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. Hobkirk
  • Brigadier-General W. K. McClintock
  • Brigadier-General H. S. Tew
  • Lieutenant-Colonel A. E. Irvine
  • Brigadier-General R. J. Bridgford
  • Brigadier-General G. S. G. Craufurd

Second World War

The brigade was originally designated as Cairo Area and 18th Infantry Brigade but ceased to exist when in May 1940 it was absorbed by HQ Cairo Sub-Area. On 20 July 1943 the 18th Brigade was reformed again from the redesignation of the 7th Motor Brigade as the 18th Lorried Infantry Brigade. It was part of the 1st Armoured Division and fought in the Italian Campaign with many other different formations, such as the 1st Infantry Division, who they served with in the Battle of Anzio. It was disbanded in Italy on 1 January 1945 due to an acute manpower shortage throughout the British Army at the time with all available replacements being sent to the 21st Army Group in the North West Europe Campaign.

Order of battle

The original 18th Infantry Brigade was constituted as follows:
From 20 July 1943 the 18th Lorried Infantry Brigade was constituted as follows:

Commanders

Commanders included:
  • Brigadier O.H. Tidbury
  • Brigadier M.D. Erskine
  • Brigadier A.D. McKechnie