7th Support Group (United Kingdom)

.Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 7th Support Group
abbreviation= 7th Sup Gp


Caption=British 7th Armoured Division Formation SArmoured Brigade Formation Symbol
dates= 1938 - 1942
country= United Kingdom
allegiance=
branch= British Army
type= Armoured Support Group
role= Armoured Division Support
size= Brigade
command_structure=7th Armoured Division (until October 1942)
1st Armoured Division (from October 1942) [*cite web|url=http://www.btinternet.com/~ian.a.paterson/orginfantry.htm#mb7|title=History of the British 7th Armoured Division: 7th Support Group| last=Paterson| first=Ian A|]
equipment=
Past Commanders=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
notable_commanders=William Gott [Playfair, p. 205 The 7th Support Group was under the command of William Gott during the Italian invasion of Egypt]
John Campbell
identification_symbol= Red Desert JerboaFact|date=July 2008
identification_symbol_2=
nickname= Desert RatsFact|date=July 2008
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=Western Desert Campaign
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=

The 7th Support Group was a brigade size formation within the British 7th Armoured Division.

History

The 7th Support Group (or "pivot group") provided whatever support the division's armoured brigades needed for the operation in hand. It was able to provide motorised infantry, field artillery, anti-tank artillery or light anti-aircraft artillery as needed.

After the 8th Army was re-organised in preparation for El Alamein, the support group ceasedFact|date=July 2008 to be and became either a motor brigade or lorried infantry brigadeFact|date=July 2008 to support the armour in greater strength.Fact|date=July 2008

Commanders

* Brigadier William Gott - Until 3 September 1941
* Brigader John Charles Campbell - It was when in command of the 7th Support Group that "Jock" Campbell was awarded his Victoria Cross.

Official VC Citation

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to Brigadier (acting) John Charles Campbell, DS0, MC (135944), Royal Horse Artillery,

in recognition of most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Sidi Rezegh on the 21st and 22nd November, 1941.

On the 21st November Brigadier Campbell was commanding the troops, including one regiment of tanks, in the area of Sidi Rezegh ridge and the aerodrome. His small force holding this important ground was repeatedly attacked by large numbers of tanks and infantry. Wherever the situation was most difficult and the fighting hardest he was to be seen with his forward troops, either on his feet or in his open car. In this car he carried out several reconnaissances for counter-attacks by his tanks, whose senior officers had all become casualties early in the day. Standing in his car with a blue flag, this officer personally formed up tanks under close and intense fire from all natures of enemy weapons.

On the following day the enemy attacks were intensified and again Brigadier Campbell was always in the forefront of the heaviest fighting, encouraging his troops, staging counter-attacks with his remaining tanks and personally controlling the fire of his guns. On two occasions he himself manned a gun to replace casualties. During the final enemy attack on the 22nd November he was wounded, but continued most actively in the foremost positions, controlling the fire of batteries which inflicted heavy losses on enemy tanks at point blank range, and finally acted as loader to one of the guns himself.

Throughout these two days his magnificent example and his utter disregard of personal danger were an inspiration to his men and to all who saw him. His brilliant leadership was the direct cause of the very heavy casnafties inflicted on the enemy. In spite of his wound he refused to be evacuated and remained with his command, where his outstanding bravery and consistent determination had a marked effect in maintaining the splendid fighting spirit of those under him.

Order of Battle

Western Desert Force 1939

*4th Royal Horse Artillery
*1st Kings Royal Rifle Corps
*2nd Rifle Brigade

Operation "Compass"

*4th RHA
*1st Kings Royal Rifle Corps
*2nd Rifle Brigade

=Order Of Battle - June 1941 (Operation "Battleaxe")=

*1st RHA
*4th RHA
*1st Kings Royal Rifle Corps
*2nd Rifle Brigade

=Order Of Battle - November 1941 (Operation "Crusader")=

*3rd RHA
*4th RHA
*1st Kings Royal Rifle Corps
*2nd Rifle Brigade
*60th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
*One Bty, 51st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

Footnotes

References

*cite book|first=Major-General I.S.O.| last=Playfair| authorlink=Ian Stanley Ord Playfair| coauthors=and others| series=History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series| title=Mediterranean and Middle East Volume I: The Early Successes Against Italy (to May 1941)| publisher=Naval & Military Press |date=2006| origdate=1954| isbn=1-84734-426-7

External links

*cite web|url=http://members.tripod.com/~nigelef/index.htm|title=British artillery in World War 2| last=Evans| first=Nigel F|
*cite web|url=http://www.btinternet.com/~ian.a.paterson/orginfantry.htm#mb7|title=History of the British 7th Armoured Division: 7th Support Group| last=Paterson| first=Ian A|