4th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East
Heavy Armoured Brigade (Egypt) 4th Armoured Brigade 4th Armoured Brigade Group 4th Mechanized Brigade 4th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East | |
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![]() Current insignia of the 4th Infantry Brigade & HQ North East. | |
Active | 1939–1945 1976–Present |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Type | Infantry |
Size | Brigade |
Part of | 1st (United Kingdom) Division |
Garrison/HQ | Catterick, North Yorkshire |
Engagements | Second World War
Bosnian War Kosovo Campaign Iraq War Afghanistan |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Brigadier Oliver Brown |
Notable commanders | Michael Carver |
4th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East, previously known as 4th Mechanized Brigade and before that 4th Armoured Brigade is a brigade formation of the British Army, currently based in Catterick, North Yorkshire as part of 1st (United Kingdom) Division.[1] The brigade, now known as the 'Black Rats', was formed in 1939 and fought in the Second World War in the Western Desert Campaign in North Africa. The Black Rats were subsequently involved in the invasion of Sicily and fighting in Italy before taking part in the Battle of Normandy and the advance through Belgium, Holland and into Germany.[2]
More recently, the Brigade took part in the First Gulf War and completed a number of tours to the Balkans during the 1990s. The Black Rats have also since deployed twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan as the lead formation.
History[]
Second World War[]
In September 1939, at the start of the Second World War this brigade changed its title from Heavy Armoured Brigade (Egypt) to 4th Armoured Brigade.[3]
On 27 July 1941, it handed over its units to the 1st Army Tank Brigade and received new units based in Egypt. It was reformed again when the HQ arrived in Sicily and it took control of new units there. The 4th Armoured Brigade saw service in the North African Campaign, the Allied invasion of Sicily, the Italian Campaign and in North-western Europe. Although it served under many different formations it was most famous as part of the 7th Armoured Division, the Desert Rats.[3]
The 4th Armoured Brigade left the 7th Armoured Division in North Africa in 1943, to return to join the Allied invasion force for Normandy. In June 1944, the brigade landed in Normandy as an independent brigade[4] and fought during the Battle of Normandy during the Battle for Caen. From Normandy until the end of the war, the 4th Armoured Brigade was composed as follows:
- Royal Scots Greys (left 29 April 1945)
- 44th Royal Tank Regiment
- 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) (became 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) on 29 July 1944)
- 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps (left 14 May 1945)
- 1st East Riding Yeomanry (from 14 June 1945)
The 4th Armoured Brigade was the first to cross the Rhine into Germany.[5]
Order of battle, Second World War[]
Cold War Era[]
The Brigade spent many years in Germany as part of the British Army of the Rhine. The brigade was one of two "square" brigades assigned to 2nd Armoured Division when it was formed in 1976.[6] After being briefly converted to "Task Force Charlie" in the late 1970s, the brigade was reinstated in 1981, assigned to 3rd Armoured Division[7] and was based at York Barracks in Münster.[8] The Brigade deployed to the First Gulf War on Operation Granby in 1990/91 and was involved in the liberation of Kuwait. It moved to Quebec Barracks at Osnabrück in 1993 to replace 12th Armoured Brigade as part of 1st (UK) Armoured Division.[9]
Post-Cold War[]
4th Armoured Brigade deployed to Bosnia in October 1995 as UNPROFOR HQ Sector South-West and subsequently as the leading UK element of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR).[10] The Black Rats have since deployed twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan, first on Operation Herrick 12 in 2010; and again in October 2012 for Operation Herrick 17, during which it was working in support of the Afghan Army's 3/215 Brigade and elements of the Afghan National Police.[11]
Current formation[]
4th Infantry Brigade[]
Under Army 2020, the brigade lost its armour and converted to an infantry brigade. The units to be under its control include:[12][13]
- 4th Infantry Brigade, in Catterick
- The Light Dragoons, in Catterick, Light Cavalry Reconnaissance Regiment
- The Queen's Own Yeomanry, in Newcastle, Reserve Light Cavalry Reconnaissance Regiment
- 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, in Catterick, Light Infantry Battalion (moving to Cyprus in 2020)
- 4th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, in York, Reserve Light Infantry Battalion, paired with 2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment
- 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, in Chester, Light Infantry Battalion[14]
- 4th Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, in Preston, Lancashire, Reserve Light Infantry Battalion, paired with 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
- 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (The Royal Highland Fusiliers), in Peniciuk, Light Infantry Battalion.[15]
- 6th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (52nd Lowland), in Glasgow, Motherwell, Edinburgh, Bathgate, Galashiels, Ayr and Dumfries, Light Infantry Battalion.
Headquarters North East[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/4_Inf_Bde_Updated_Structure.png/220px-4_Inf_Bde_Updated_Structure.png)
Headquarters North East covers the counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire.[16][17] Organisations and units which fall under this regional command include:[17][18][19]
- Headquarters North East, at Peronne Lines, Catterick[20]
- Commander and Staff Trainer (North), at Catterick Garrison[21]
- 3 Army Education Centre Group, Adjutant General's Corps, at Catterick Garrison[22]
- 2 Army Education Centre, at Imphal Barracks, York[23]
- Cleveland Army Cadet Force, in Middlesbrough[24]
- Durham Army Cadet Force, in Chester-le-Street[25]
- Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force, at , Driffield[26]
- Northumbria Army Cadet Force, at , Cramlington[27]
- Yorkshire (North and West) Army Cadet Force, at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall[28]
- 4th Infantry Brigade Cadet Training Team, at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall Camp
- Headquarters Catterick Garrison[29][30]
- Headquarters York Garrison[31]
- Army Medical Training Centre[32]
4th Infantry Brigade is also regionally aligned with the northern African region as part of defence engagement.[33]
Second World War Commanders[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/The_British_Army_in_North-west_Europe_1944-45_BU2486.jpg/220px-The_British_Army_in_North-west_Europe_1944-45_BU2486.jpg)
During the Second World War:[34][35]
- January 1940 to April 1941 Brigadier J.A.L. Caunter
- April 1941 to April 1942 Brigadier A.H. Gatehouse
- April 1942 to July 1942 Brigadier G.W. Richards
- July 1942 to September 1942 Brigadier W.G. Carr
- September 1942 to November 1942 Brigadier M.G. Roddick
- November 1942 to January 1943 Brigadier C.B.C. Harvey
- January 1943 to February 1943 Brigadier D.S. Newton-King
- February 1943 to December 1943 Brigadier J.C. Currie
- December 1943 to March 1944 Brigadier H. J. B. Cracroft
- March 1944 to June 1944 Brigadier J. C. Currie
- June 1944 to August 1945 Brigadier R.M.P. Carver
Brigade Commanders[]
Recent commanders have included:[36]
- 1976–1978 Brigadier Desmond Langley
- 1981–1984 Brigadier Charles Guthrie
- 1994–1996 Brigadier Richard Dannatt
- 1996–1998 Brigadier David Richards
- 1998–2000 Brigadier Bill Rollo
- 2000-2002 Brigadier Nicholas Smith
- 2002–2004 Brigadier Paul Gibson
- 2005–2007 Brigadier Chris Deverell
- 2007–2009 Brigadier Julian Free[37]
- 2009–2011 Brigadier Richard Felton[38]
- 2011–2013 Brigadier Bob Bruce[39]
- 2013–2015 Brigadier Charlie Herbert[40]
- 2015–2016 Brigadier Gerald Strickland
- 2016–2019 Brigadier Oliver Stokes
- 2019–present Brigadier Oliver Brown
Notable former soldiers[]
Former BBC motorsports commentator Murray Walker served with 4th Armoured Brigade during the Second World War as a member of The Royal Scots Greys. After the war he started a motorcycle club, organising trials and scrambles for the soldiers within the Brigade.[41]
See also[]
- British Armoured formations of World War II
- List of British brigades of the Second World War
References[]
- ^ 4th Mechanized Brigade, British Army, retrieved 15 February 2017
- ^ Brigadier RMP Carter (1945). The History of the 4th Armoured Brigade. ISBN 978-1470119645.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Brief History Of The British 4th Armoured Brigade Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Hastings, Max. "Appendix II, Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy 1944". Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ Desert Rats Association website Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Watson, Graham (2005). The British Army in Germany: An Organisational History 1947-2004. Tiger Lily. p. 95. ISBN 9780972029698.
- ^ Black, Harvey. "The Cold War Years. A Hot War in reality. Part 6".
- ^ "York Barracks". BAOR Locations. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- ^ 4th Mechanized Brigade Archived March 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Global Security
- ^ The Blue Beret (December 2000/January 2001) Archived August 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "4th Mechanized Brigade to replace 12 Mechanized Brigade in Helmand". MoD. 11 July 2012.
- ^ "Famed Desert Rats to lose their tanks under Army cuts". Telegraph. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
- ^ page 9 Archived June 10, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ How the Army moved an entire battalion from Cyprus to Chester, Cheshire Live, retrieved 13 May 2019
- ^ "Field Army Restructuring Battalion movements" (PDF). whatdotheyknow.com. whatdotheyknow. 11 September 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
2nd and 6th Battalions The Royal Regiment of Scotland have transferred to 4th Infantry Brigade from 51st Infantry Brigade
- ^ "Reserve Forces and Cadets Association - Army Cadets". www.rfca-ne.org.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Reserve Forces and Cadets Association - Cadets & Youth". www.rfca-ne.org.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "Reserve Forces and Cadets Association - Chairman's Welcome". www.rfca-ne.org.uk. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "4th Infantry Brigade and HQ North East - British Army Website". 13 January 2018. Archived from the original on 13 January 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- ^ "HQ North East Units & Formations Requestion FOIA" (PDF). whatdotheyknow.com. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
- ^ at 4:56pm, Tom Sables 20th October 2020. "Is Your Military Base Closing? Read The Full List Of Sites Shutting". Forces Network. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ Army Policy & Secretariat, FOI(A) Request relating to current AECs (7 December 2020). whatdotheyknow.com. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
- ^ "Army Education Centre Locations". webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 8 January 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ "Cleveland Army Cadets". Army Cadets UK. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Durham Army Cadets". Army Cadets UK. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Humberside And South Yorkshire Army Cadets". Army Cadets UK. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Northumbria Army Cadets". Army Cadets UK. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Yorkshire (North And West) Army Cadets". Army Cadets UK. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Military Sites (Wales) (Hansard, 2 July 2002)". api.parliament.uk. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ "Catterick Garrison". Army Garrisons. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
- ^ "York Garrison". Army Garrisons. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
- ^ at 3:51pm, Hannah King 23rd December 2014. "5 Armoured Medical Regiment Return to the UK". Forces Network. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ "Information regarding British Army brigades being regionally aligned" (PDF). assets.publishing.service.gov.uk. Ministry of Defence UK. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
Responsible Organisation 4th Infantry Brigade Region Northern Africa
- ^ Orders of Battle Archived March 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "4th Armoured Brigade Commanders". Desert Rats.
- ^ Army Commands Archived July 5, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 5,000 'Rats' spotted in Basra Archived October 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Defence News, 11 December 2007
- ^ Brigadier salutes move to Garrison Archived August 17, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Northern Echo, 17 February 2009
- ^ 4th Mechanized Brigade Archived October 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine 11 April 2011
- ^ New man takes over the Black Rats Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Northern Echo, 12 June 2013
- ^ Murray Walker (2003). Unless I'm Very Much Mistaken. ISBN 0-00-712697-2.
Further reading[]
- RMP Carter (1945). The History of the 4th Armoured Brigade. ISBN 978-1470119645.
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to 4th Mechanized Brigade (United Kingdom). |
- Armoured brigades of the British Army in World War II
- Army 2020
- Infantry brigades of the British Army
- Military units and formations established in 1939
- Organisations based in North Yorkshire
- Military units and formations disestablished in 1945
- Military units and formations established in 1976