211th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
| 211th Infantry Brigade | |
|---|---|
 Devon and Cornwall County Division insignia | |
| Active | 11 October 1940-1 September 1944 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom |
| Branch |
 British Army |
| Type | Infantry Brigade |
| Role | Home Defence |
The 211th Infantry Brigade (211 Bde) was a Home Defence formation of the British Army during the Second World War.
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 Brigade was as follows:[1]
- 11th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment (until 20 September 1942)
- 10th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment (until 2 January 1943)
- 9th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry (until 19 May 1941)
- 14th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (22 June- 3 October 1941)
- 13th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) (20 September 1942 – 20 July 1944)
- 2/6th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers (5 October 1942 – 25 October 1943)
- 7th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment (5 January 1943 – 20 April 1944)
- 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment (3 November 1943_23 July 1944)
- 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (17 September 1943 – 21 July 1944)
- 5th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry (from 20 July 1944)
- 8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment (from 25 July 1944)
- 8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (from 22 July 1944)
- 9th (Caernarvonshire and Anglesey) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (from 23 July 1944)[2]
Commanders
The commanders of 211 Brigade 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 Brigade was transferred to 80th Infantry (Reserve) Division on 2 January 1943.[1][4] When the 80th was disbanded on 1 September, 211 Brigade 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.
- Joslen, Lt-Col H.F. (2003) [1st pub. HMSO:1960]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939–1945. Uckfield: Naval and Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.
- Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth