206th Independent Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)

206th Independent Infantry Brigade
Brigade badge used between December 1941 and October 1943.[1][2]
Active	12 October 1940-6 October 1943
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Infantry Brigade
Role	Home Defence

206th Independent Infantry Brigade was a Home Defence formation of the British Army during the Second World War.

Origin[]

The brigade was formed under the title of 206th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) for service in the United Kingdom on 12 October 1940 by amalgamation of Headquarters Lothian Sub-Area and No 6 Infantry Training Group in Scottish Command. It originally comprised three newly raised infantry battalions^[2] and one Territorial Army machine gun battalion that had seen service in the Battle of France.^[2][3] It had no connection with 206th (2nd Essex) Brigade, a 2nd-Line Territorial Force formation raised during the First World War.

Service[]

During its service the brigade came under the administrative control of several higher formations: Scottish Command (until 16 December 1940), 44th (Home Counties) Division (17 December 1940 – 23 February 1941), 56th (London) Division (23 February–14 November 1941), 46th Division (14 November 1941 – 2 July 1942, 20 August–30 November 1942), North Kent and Surrey Area (3 July–19 August 1942), 43rd (Wessex) Division (1 December 1942 – 19 May 1943), Hampshire and Dorset District (20 May–5 October 1943). The brigade remained in the UK throughout its service.^[2]

The brigade was re-designated the 206th Independent Infantry Brigade in December 1941. Brigade headquarters was disbanded on 6 October 1943.^[2]

Order of battle[]

The composition of the 206th Brigade was as follows:^[2]

• 14th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (12 October 1940 — 19 September 1942)
• 16th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (12 October 1940 — 17 December 1940)
• 17th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (12 October 1940 — 10 September 1942)
• 7th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (MG battalion) (12 October 1940 — 17 December 1940)
• 10th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment (4 December 1940 – 28 February 1942)
• 10th Battalion, Green Howards (1 February 1941 – 19 September 1942)
• 2/4th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment (10 September 1942 – 25 May 1943)
• 9th Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool) (19 September 1942 – 12 April 1943)
• 9th Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) (26 September 1942 – 1 October 1943)
• 2/4th Battalion, Essex Regiment (12 April – 1 October 1943)
• 11th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment (29 May – 8 September 1943)
• 12th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (20 August – 23 September 1943)

Commanders[]

The commanders of 206th Bde were:^[2]

• Brigadier F.G. Drew (until 24 May 1941)
• Brigadier R.A. Boxshall (24 May 1941 – 20 July 1942)
• Brigadier L. Tremellen (20 July 1942 – 10 May 1943)
• Brigadier G.F. Ellenberger (from 10 May 1943)

References[]

Sources

• Cole, Howard, Formation Badges of World War 2, Britain, Commonwealth and Empire., London, Arms and Armour Press, SBN 853680787
• Joslen, H. F. (2003) [1990]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939–1945. Uckfield, East Sussex: Naval and Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.
• Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth