4th Mechanized Brigade (United Kingdom)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=4th Mechanized Brigade


caption=Insignia of the 4th Mechanized Brigade
dates=1939 - 1945
1976-Present
country=United Kingdom
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branch=British Army
type=Mechanised Brigade
role=
size=
command_structure= 1st (UK) Armoured Division
current_commander=
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The 4th Mechanized Brigade is a British Army brigade formed during the Second World War, it is currently based in Osnabrück, Germany. It is currently part of the 1st (UK) Armoured Division; originally, it was an armoured brigade, but on the 1 December 2006 it was reclassed as a mechanised formation. It will return to the UK in the future [ [http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/PressCentre/PressReleases/300106Reid4thArmouredBrigadeToReturnToCatterick.htm British Ministry of Defence press release] ] .

History

In 1939, at the start of World War II this brigade changed its title from Heavy Armoured Brigade (Egypt) to 4th Armoured Brigade. On 27 July 1941 it handed over its units to the British 1st Army Tank Brigade and received new units from 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 North Africa, Sicily and Italy and in the North West Europe Campaign. Although it served under many different formations it was most famous as part of the 7th Armoured Division, the Desert Rats.

Commanders

*Brig. J.A.L. Caunter
*Brig. A.H. Gatehouse
*Brig. A.F. Fisher
*Brig. W.G. Carr
*Brig. M.G. Roddick
*Brig. J.C. Currie
*Brig. H.J.B. Cracroft
*Brig. R.M.P. Carver

Current Formation

4th Mechanized Brigade Units 2008
* 4 Mechanized Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron (204 Signal Squadron)
* The Royal Dragoon Guards (Armoured)
* 1st Battalion, Scots Guards (Armoured Infantry)
* 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's Lancashire and Border) (Mechanised Infantry)
* 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) (Light Role)
* 4th Regiment Royal Artillery (Self Propelled Artillery)
* 21 Engineer Regiment Royal Engineers
* 1st Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
* 115 Provost Company, 1st Regiment Royal Military Police
* CS Medical Squadron, Royal Army Medical Corps

econd World War order of battle

see List of Component Units of the British 4th Armoured Brigade, World War II

References

External links

* [http://www.army.mod.uk/4bde/index.html 4th Mechanized Brigade- Official Homepage]

* [http://www.army.mod.uk/unitsandorgs/garrisons/osnabruck_garrison/index.htm Osnabrück Garrison- Official Homepage]