2nd (West Africa) Infantry Brigade

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 2nd (West Africa) Infantry Brigade
abbreviation=


caption=
dates= 1940 - 1945
country=
allegiance= British Crown
branch= British Empire
type= Infantry
role=
size= Brigade
command_structure=2nd (African) Division
12th (African) Division
82nd (West Africa) Division
equipment=
Past Commanders=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
notable_commanders=Brigadier Collen Edward Melville Richards
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_2=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=East African Campaign (World War II)
Burma Campaign
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=The 2nd (West Africa) Infantry Brigade was a World War II unit of the British Army it was formed from battalions of the Royal West African Frontier Force.

The brigade was originally formed as 4th (Gold Coast) Infantry Brigade but was re-designated 24th (Gold Coast) Infantry Brigade in October 1940. It was involved in the East African Campaign against the forces of the Italian Colonial Empire in Kenya under the command of Brigadier Collen Edward Melville Richards and was attached to the 2nd (African) Division. [The British Empire and the Second World War By Ashley Jackson,p214] During the East African Campaign, the brigade was part of Andrew Cunningham's force which attacked from Kenya into Italian Somaliland and then advanced into Ethiopia. After the campaign, in December 1941, the brigade returned to West Africa and was reorganised as an independent brigade group (with attached engineer and artillery units) and designated 2nd (West African) Infantry Brigade. [ [http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=3543&Tab=Uhi ordersofbattle.com: 2nd (West African) Infantry Brigade] ]

In October 1942 command of the brigade passed to Brigadier Ernest Western who was to remain in this role March 1945. In 1944, reorganised once more as an infantry brigade, the 2nd (West African) was attached to the 82nd (West Africa) Division and sailed for Ceylon, where the complete division was assembled on July 20. They then moved to Burma and took part in the third Arakan Campaign in December, 1944 as part of Philip Christison's XV Corps. [The Jungle, the Japanese and the British Commonwealth Armies at War, 1941-45 By T. R. Moreman,p268]

It first advanced south along the Kalapanzin valley, then crossed a steep and jungle-covered mountain range to converge with the British 81st (West Africa) Division on Myohaung at the mouth of the Kaladan River. This move forced the Japanese to evacuate the Mayu peninsula which they had held for almost four years, and retreat south along the coast. They continued to advance maintaining pressure, on the Japanese capturing the port of Gwa shortly before the Japanese abandoned Burma. [cite web|title=burma star|url=http://www.burmastar.org.uk/82stwa.htm] Western was wounded in March 1945 and command of the brigade was given to Brigadier Adam Wilson-Brand.

Formation

*1st Bn. The Gold Coast Regiment
*2nd Bn. The Gold Coast Regiment
*3rd Bn. The Gold Coast Regiment

References