131st Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)

The 131st Infantry Brigade was a Second World War 1st Line Territorial Army unit of the British Army.

History

At the beginning of the Second World War this brigade was an organic part of the 44th Infantry Division. It was part of the British Expeditionary Force to France in 1940. The brigade, along with the rest of the 44th Infantry, was sent to North Africa in 1942 where it fought at the Battle of Alam Halfa and the Battle of El Alamein. When the 44th Infantry Division was disbanded the 131st Brigade was converted into a Lorried Infantry Brigade and served with the 7th Armoured Division and the British XXX Corps.

The 131st Brigade served in the Italian Campaign and in North West Europe alongside the 22nd Armoured Brigade in the 7th Armoured Division. In December, due to heavy losses, the 1/6th and 1/7th Queens were swapped for the 2nd Devons and 9th Durham Light Infantry, which were part of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division that was being sent back to the UK to serve as a Traning Division.

Battles

* Battle of France
**St Omer-La Bassée
*Western Desert Campaign
**Alam el Halfa
**Second Battle of El Alamein
*Tunisian Campaign
**Medenine
**Mareth
**Enfidaville
**Tunis
*Italian Campaign
**Salerno
**Capture of Naples
**Volturno Crossing
*Battle of Normandy
**Operation Overlord
**Battle of Villers-Bocage
**Operation Goodwood

Commanders

* Brig. J.S. Hughes
* Brig. J.E. Utterson-Kelso
* Brig. I.T.P. Hughes
* Brig. E.H.C. Frith
* Brig. L.G. Whistler
* Brig. W.R. Cox
* Brig. J.M.K. Spurling

Component Units

*1st/5th Bn, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
*1st/6th Bn, The Queen's Royal Regiment
*1st/7th Bn, The Queen's Royal Regiment
*2nd Bn, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)
*2nd Bn, The Devonshire Regiment
*9th Bn, Durham Light Infantry

External links

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