- 78th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)
Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 78th Infantry Division
caption=
dates=World War II 1942 - 1945
country=Great Britain
allegiance=
branch=British Army
type= Infantry
role= War Formed
size=
command_structure=
current_commander=
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=Battleaxe Division
patron=
motto=
colors=
identification_symbol=
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=Charles Keightley
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours= Monte Cassino
SicilyThe British 78th Infantry Division, also known as the "Battleaxe Division", fought in the
Second World War inNorth Africa andItaly .History
The 78th was formed specifically for
Operation Torch from regularBritish Army units, landing atAlgiers in 1942. Thereafter it continued in Tunisia, gaining a formidable reputation, then through Sicily, up the length of Italy, arriving inAustria for the end of the war. Units also saw action inGreece ,Palestine , andEgypt . Notable engagements include in Tunisia Longstop Hill, in Sicily the Battle of Centuripe and in Italy the assaults on the Viktor Line (Battle of Termoli), theBarbara Line and the River Sangro (Gustav Line) as well as theBattle of Monte Cassino , theGothic Line and battle of Argenta gap.Commanding officers
*Maj.Gen. V.Evelegh (June 1942 - December 1943)
*Maj.Gen. C.F.Keightley (December 1943 - August 1944)
*Maj.Gen. D.C.Butterworth (August 1944 - October 1944)
*Maj.Gen. R.K.Arbuthnot (October 1944 - ?)Composition
Order of battle from 1942 composed from units of
Force 110 [Ford, pp274-275] .11th Infantry Brigade
:2nd Battalion
The Lancashire Fusiliers .:1st BattalionThe East Surrey Regiment .:5th BattalionThe Northamptonshire Regiment .36th Infantry Brigade
:5th Battalion
The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) .:6th BattalionRoyal West Kent Regiment .:8th BattalionThe Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders .1st Infantry Brigade (Guards) (until March 1943)
:3rd Battalion
Grenadier Guards .:2nd BattalionColdstream Guards .:2nd BattalionThe Hampshire Regiment .38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade (from March 1943)
main
1= 38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
l1 = 38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade :6th Battalion,The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (until August 1944).:2nd Battalion,The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (from August 1944).:1st Battalion,The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's).:2nd Battalion,The London Irish Rifles (Territorial Army). :56th Reconnaissance Regiment,Royal Armoured Corps . :1st Battalion,Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment .upport units
Royal Artillery .:17th Field Regiment.:132nd Field Regiment (welsh).:138th Field Regiment (City of London) .:64th Anti-Tank Regiment (Queen's Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry ). :49th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (until November 1944).Royal Engineers .:214th Field Company.:237th Field Company.:256th Field Company.:281st Field Park Company.Royal Army Medical Corps .:11th Field Ambulance.:152nd Field Ambulance.:217th Field Ambulance.:47th Field Ambulance.Bibliography
*
References
External links
* [http://www.army.mod.uk/unitsandorgs/regiments_battalions.htm#regcor_r British Army Regiments website]
*
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