34th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)
| 34th Armoured Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1941-1946 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 British Army
|
| Type | Armoured |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | Independent Brigade 1st Mixed Infantry Division 79th Armoured Division |
| Equipment | Churchill tanks |
| Engagements |
Battle of Normandy Capture of Le Havre Reichswald Rhine Crossing |
The 34th Armoured Brigade was an armoured brigade of the British Army that saw active service in World War II. It was formed in 1941 as the 34th Army Tank Brigade and subsequently redesignated as the 34th Tank Brigade in February 1945 and became part of the 79th Armoured Division. It was equipped with Churchill tanks and provided close support for assaults by the infantry. During the fighting in North-west Europe from July 1944 to May 1945 the brigade served with both the First Canadian Army and the British Second Army. The brigade was disbanded in early 1946.
The brigade was formed on 1 December 1941 as one of ten independent Army Tank brigades to be equipped with Churchill tanks. In June 1942, the word "Army" was dropped from the brigade's title and it became part of the 1st Mixed Infantry Division. The 34th Tank Brigade was transferred to the 43rd Mixed Infantry Division in September 1942 and in September 1943 it returned to independent status (attached to XII Corps), when the concept of mixed divisions was abandoned.
The first two and half years of the brigade's existence were spent in training in the south of England and it saw its first active service in the Normandy bridgehead.
Advance parties departed to Normandy on D + 10 (16 June) but the entire brigade was not gathered together in France until early July 1944. Its first combat was in support of the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division in Operation Greenline from 15 to 18 July, to enlarge the Odon bridgehead and advance beyond Hill 112; the German opposition held a strong position and 153rd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps suffered particularly severe casualties, including its commanding officer. Overall, the brigade lost 30 officers and 156 other ranks in this action. The brigade continued in active service in Normandy until late August.
...
Wikipedia