46th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)
Encyclopedia
The 46th Infantry Division was a 2nd Line Territorial Army formation during the Second World War, that was a duplicate of the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division. The 46th Infantry Division was part of the British Expeditionary Force
sent to France
in 1940 as a labour and training unit but ended up fighting in the retreat to Dunkirk and evacuation to Britain
. It was reorganised as a 'mixed' division for the Tunisian Campaign, for which its 137th Infantry Brigade was converted to armour as the 137th Armoured Brigade
, but in the event, 128th Infantry Brigade was attached in its place. From 17 January 1943 it was part of the First Army in Tunisia
and from there it fought through the Italian Campaign
. In 1945 the division was sent with Scobie's
III Corps to re-occupy Greece
.
British Expeditionary Force (World War II)
The British Expeditionary Force was the British force in Europe from 1939–1940 during the Second World War. Commanded by General Lord Gort, the BEF constituted one-tenth of the defending Allied force....
sent to France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
in 1940 as a labour and training unit but ended up fighting in the retreat to Dunkirk and evacuation to Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. It was reorganised as a 'mixed' division for the Tunisian Campaign, for which its 137th Infantry Brigade was converted to armour as the 137th Armoured Brigade
British 137th Armoured Brigade
-History:It was formed from the 137th Infantry Brigade on 20 July 1942 and disbanded on 26 September 1943. It was based in the United Kingdom throughout its existence.-Component Units:*113th Regt, Royal Armoured Corps...
, but in the event, 128th Infantry Brigade was attached in its place. From 17 January 1943 it was part of the First Army in Tunisia
Tunisia Campaign
The Tunisia Campaign was a series of battles that took place in Tunisia during the North African Campaign of the Second World War, between Axis and Allied forces. The Allies consisted of British Imperial Forces, including Polish and Greek contingents, with American and French corps...
and from there it fought through the Italian Campaign
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
. In 1945 the division was sent with Scobie's
Ronald Scobie
Lieutenant-General Sir Ronald MacKenzie Scobie KBE, CB, MC was a British Army officer who commanded III Corps.-Military career:...
III Corps to re-occupy Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
137th Infantry Brigade (20 July 1942 converted into an Armoured Brigade)
- 2nd/5th battalion The West Yorkshire Regiment
- 2nd/6th battalion The Duke of Wellington's RegimentThe Duke of Wellington's RegimentThe Duke of Wellington's Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army, forming part of the King's Division.In 1702 Colonel George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon, was authorised to raise a new regiment, which he did in and around the city of Gloucester. As was the custom in those days...
- 2nd/7th battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment
138th Infantry Brigade
- 2nd/4th battalion The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
- 6th battalion The Lincolnshire Regiment
- 6th battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment
139th Infantry Brigade
- 2nd/5th battalion The Leicestershire Regiment
- 2nd/5th battalion The Sherwood Foresters
- 16th battalion The Durham Light Infantry
128th Infantry Brigade
(From Tunisia onwards)- 1st/4th battalion The Hampshire Regiment
- 2nd/4th battalion The Hampshire Regiment
- 5th battalion The Hampshire Regiment
- 2nd battalion The Hampshire Regiment
See also
- List of British divisions in WWII
- 46th (North Midland) Infantry Division; a British Army First World War formation
- British Army Order of Battle - September 1939