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|battle_honours= The Odon Valley, Juvigny, Mezidon
|battle_honours= The Odon Valley, Juvigny, Mezidon
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The '''70th Infantry Brigade''' was an [[infantry]] [[brigade]] of the [[British Army]] that saw service during the [[World War I|First]] and [[World War II|[[Second]] world wars. During the Great War it was raised as part of [[Kitchener's Army]] and fought mainly in the [[Trench warfare| trenches]] of the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] and was disbanded after the war ended. The brigade was reformed in the Second World War in the [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] as a 2nd Line duplicate of the [[151st Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|151st Infantry Brigade]]. The brigade saw service at [[Battle of Dunkirk|Dunkirk]], Iceland and in the [[Operation Overlord|Normandy Campaign]] before again being disbanded in August 1944.

The '''70th Infantry Brigade''' was a [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] unit of the [[British Army]] during the First and Second World Wars.


==History==
==History==
⚫
Originally part of the [[23rd Division (United Kingdom)|23rd Division]] (and briefly [[8th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|8th Division]]) during World War I, the Brigade was reformed in the interwar period as part of the [[50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://home.adelphia.net/~dryan67/orders/nc.html |title= Northern Command on 3 September 1939| accessdate=2008-03-05}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> It was transferred to the [[23rd (Northumbrian) Division]], the 2nd Line duplicate of the 50th Infantry Division, under which it was involved in the [[Battle of France]] in 1940 and the [[Battle of Dunkirk|retreat from Dunkirk]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wargunner.co.uk/more/bef.htm#23rd%20Division | title =British Expeditionary Force 1940 - 23rd Div| accessdate=2003-03-05}}</ref>


⚫
After escaping France, the brigade became part of the [[49th (West Riding) Infantry Division]] when the 23rd Division was disbanded in July 1940 due to the heavy losses it suffered. It went with the division to Iceland in 1941 for a chilly garrison stay, before returning to England in November of that year. It spent the remaining two and a half years training before [[Invasion of Normandy|landing in Normandy]] as part of [[Operation Overlord]] on 12 June 1944.<ref>{{cite book|title=Breaking the Panzers|last=Baverstock|first=Kevin|year=2002|isbn=0-7509-2895-6|pages = 2–27}}</ref>
⚫
Originally part of the [[23rd Division (United Kingdom)|23rd Division]] (and briefly [[8th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|8th Division]]) during World War I, the Brigade was reformed in the interwar period as part of the [[50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://home.adelphia.net/~dryan67/orders/nc.html |title= Northern Command on 3 September 1939| accessdate=2008-03-05}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> It was transferred to the [[23rd (Northumbrian) Division]] under which it was involved in the [[Battle of France]] in 1940 and the retreat from [[Dunkirk]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wargunner.co.uk/more/bef.htm#23rd%20Division | title =British Expeditionary Force 1940 - 23rd Div| accessdate=2003-03-05}}</ref>

⚫
After escaping France, the brigade became part of the [[49th (West Riding) Infantry Division]]. It went with the division to Iceland in 1941 for a chilly garrison stay, before returning to England in November of that year. It spent the remaining two and a half years training before landing in Normandy on 12 June 1944.<ref>{{cite book|title=Breaking the Panzers|last=Baverstock|first=Kevin|year=2002|isbn=0-7509-2895-6|pages = 2–27}}</ref>


During [[Operation Martlet]], the preparatory attack for [[Operation Epsom]] that took place on 25 June 1944, the brigade was heavily engaged around the village of Rauray with elements from the 12th SS Panzer and 26th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiments of [[12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend|12th SS Panzer Division]].<ref>
During [[Operation Martlet]], the preparatory attack for [[Operation Epsom]] that took place on 25 June 1944, the brigade was heavily engaged around the village of Rauray with elements from the 12th SS Panzer and 26th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiments of [[12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend|12th SS Panzer Division]].<ref>
{{cite book
{{cite book
| last = Meyer
| last = Meyer
Line 72: Line 70:
| page = 393
| page = 393
}}
}}
</ref> The Brigade then fought a bloody battle around Rauray as [[Kampfgruppe Weidinger]] of [[2nd SS Division Das Reich|2nd SS Panzer Division]] counter-attacked between 29 June and 1 July.<ref>Baverstock, pp.47-152</ref> For this it was given the battle honour of 'The Odon'<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=1898&Tab=Ubh |title= Orders of Battle.com - 70th Brigade Honours| accessdate=2008-03-05}}</ref>
</ref> The 70th Brigade then fought a bloody battle around Rauray as [[Kampfgruppe Weidinger]] of [[2nd SS Division Das Reich|2nd SS Panzer Division]] counter-attacked between 29 June and 1 July.<ref>Baverstock, pp.47-152</ref> For this it was given the battle honour of 'The Odon'<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=1898&Tab=Ubh |title= Orders of Battle.com - 70th Brigade Honours| accessdate=2008-03-05}}</ref>


Thereafter it fought south of Tilly-sur-Seulles, before following the 49th Division's initial drive during I Corps' drive to the Seine in late August. On 19 August, the brigade was withdrawn from the frontline and began to disband to fill the increasing gap in available infantry replacements as the British Army was suffering from a severe lack of available infantrymen.<ref>Baverstock, pp.162-177</ref> By 19 October 1944, the brigade ceased to exist.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=1898&Tab=Uhi |title= Orders of Battle.com - 70th Brigade History| accessdate=2008-03-05}}</ref> Its place in the 49th Division was taken by the [[56th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|56th Independent Infantry Brigade Group]].
Thereafter it fought south of Tilly-sur-Seulles, before following the 49th Division's initial drive during I Corps' drive to the Seine in late August. On 19 August, the brigade was withdrawn from the frontline and began to disband to fill the increasing gap in available infantry replacements as the British Army was suffering from a severe lack of available infantrymen at the time.<ref>Baverstock, pp.162-177</ref> By 19 October 1944, the brigade ceased to exist.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=1898&Tab=Uhi |title= Orders of Battle.com - 70th Brigade History| accessdate=2008-03-05}}</ref> Its place in the 49th Division was taken by the [[56th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|56th Independent Infantry Brigade]].


During the [[Mau Mau uprising]], [[East Africa Command]] controlled [[39th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|39th Infantry Brigade]], [[49th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|49th Infantry Brigade]], and [[70th (East African) Infantry Brigade]].<ref>[http://www.orbat.com/site/history/library-new/1946-1990/britishempire/kenya-1952.html United Kingdom: Kenya Insurgency 1952-1956 Units and Operations]</ref> Later 70th (East African) Brigade became the basis for the newly independent [[Kenya Army]].<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/army-obituaries/9396197/Maj-Gen-Dick-Gerrard-Wright.html Obituary: Maj-Gen Dick Gerrard-Wright] The Telegraph, 12 July 2012</ref> Brigade headquarters was at [[Nyeri]] where the Brigade Signals Troop was also located. May have operated from 1953 onwards.<ref>{{cite web|first1=James |last1=Paul |first2=Martin |last2=Spirit |url=http://www.britains-smallwars.com/kenya/Units.html |title=British Units in the Kenyan Emergency |publisher=Britains-smallwars.com |date=2008 |accessdate=11 June 2014}}</ref>
During the [[Mau Mau uprising]], [[East Africa Command]] controlled [[39th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|39th Infantry Brigade]], [[49th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|49th Infantry Brigade]], and [[70th (East African) Infantry Brigade]].<ref>[http://www.orbat.com/site/history/library-new/1946-1990/britishempire/kenya-1952.html United Kingdom: Kenya Insurgency 1952-1956 Units and Operations]</ref> Later 70th (East African) Brigade became the basis for the newly independent [[Kenya Army]].<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/military-obituaries/army-obituaries/9396197/Maj-Gen-Dick-Gerrard-Wright.html Obituary: Maj-Gen Dick Gerrard-Wright] The Telegraph, 12 July 2012</ref> Brigade headquarters was at [[Nyeri]] where the Brigade Signals Troop was also located. May have operated from 1953 onwards.<ref>{{cite web|first1=James |last1=Paul |first2=Martin |last2=Spirit |url=http://www.britains-smallwars.com/kenya/Units.html |title=British Units in the Kenyan Emergency |publisher=Britains-smallwars.com |date=2008 |accessdate=11 June 2014}}</ref>


===Commanders===
===Commanders===
* [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|Brig.]] P. Kirkup

* Brig. P. Kirkup
* Brig. P.P. King
* Brig. P.P. King
* Brig. E.C. Cooke-Collis
* Brig. E.C. Cooke-Collis


==Component Units (World War I)==
==Component Units in World War I==
*11th (Service) Battalion, [[Sherwood Foresters]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mike.briggs76/11th%20Btn.htm |title= Chesterfield Sherwoods on the Somme| accessdate=2008-03-05}}</ref> (''until September 1918'')
* 11th (Service) Battalion, [[Sherwood Foresters]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mike.briggs76/11th%20Btn.htm |title= Chesterfield Sherwoods on the Somme| accessdate=2008-03-05}}</ref> (''until September 1918'')
*8th (Service) Battalion, [[King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry|King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)]]
* 8th (Service) Battalion, [[King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry|King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry)]]
*8th (Service) Battalion., [[York and Lancaster Regiment]]
* 8th (Service) Battalion., [[York and Lancaster Regiment]]
*9th (Service) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment
* 9th (Service) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment
*1/8th Battalion, [[Middlesex Regiment]] (''from October 1915 until February 1916'')
* 1/8th Battalion, [[Middlesex Regiment]] (''from October 1915 until February 1916'')

⚫
==Component Units (World War II)==


⚫
==Component Units in World War II==
* 10th Battalion, [[Durham Light Infantry]]
* 10th Battalion, [[Durham Light Infantry]]
* 11th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
* 11th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
* 12th (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (later 1st Battalion, [[Tyneside Scottish]], [[Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)]]
* 12th (Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (''later 1st Battalion, [[Tyneside Scottish]], [[Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)|Black Watch]]'')


==References==
==References==
Line 101: Line 97:


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
*Baverstock, Kevin. ''Breaking the Panzers: The Bloody Battle for Rauray''. Sutton Publishing, 2002. ISBN 0-7509-2895-6
* Baverstock, Kevin. ''Breaking the Panzers: The Bloody Battle for Rauray''. Sutton Publishing, 2002. ISBN 0-7509-2895-6
*Delaforce, Patrick. ''The Polar Bears''. Sutton Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0-7509-3194-9
* Delaforce, Patrick. ''The Polar Bears''. Sutton Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0-7509-3194-9
* {{oob unit | id = 1898 | name = 70 Infantry Brigade }}
* {{oob unit | id = 1898 | name = 70 Infantry Brigade }}
*[http://www.ddaycasualties.com/49div.htm ''Casualties for 49th Division'']
* [http://www.ddaycasualties.com/49div.htm ''Casualties for 49th Division'']
*Public Record Office, WO 171/653, Headquarters War Diary of 70th Infantry Brigade from January - July 1944
* Public Record Office, WO 171/653, Headquarters War Diary of 70th Infantry Brigade from January - July 1944


{{DEFAULTSORT:70 Infantry Brigade}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:70 Infantry Brigade}}

Revision as of 11:57, 21 January 2015

.

70th Infantry Brigade
ActiveWorld War I, 1939 - 1944, 1950s
CountryGreat Britain
BranchBritish Army
TypeInfantry
SizeBrigade
Part of49th (West Riding) Infantry Division
Nickname(s)The Polar Bears
EngagementsOperation Epsom, Invasion of Normandy
Battle honoursThe Odon Valley, Juvigny, Mezidon
Insignia
Identification
symbol		 (as part of 49th Division)

The 70th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army that saw service during the First and [[World War II|Second world wars. During the Great War it was raised as part of Kitchener's Army and fought mainly in the trenches of the Western Front and was disbanded after the war ended. The brigade was reformed in the Second World War in the Territorial Army as a 2nd Line duplicate of the 151st Infantry Brigade. The brigade saw service at Dunkirk, Iceland and in the Normandy Campaign before again being disbanded in August 1944.

History

Originally part of the 23rd Division (and briefly 8th Division) during World War I, the Brigade was reformed in the interwar period as part of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division.[1] It was transferred to the 23rd (Northumbrian) Division, the 2nd Line duplicate of the 50th Infantry Division, under which it was involved in the Battle of France in 1940 and the retreat from Dunkirk.[2]

After escaping France, the brigade became part of the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division when the 23rd Division was disbanded in July 1940 due to the heavy losses it suffered. It went with the division to Iceland in 1941 for a chilly garrison stay, before returning to England in November of that year. It spent the remaining two and a half years training before landing in Normandy as part of Operation Overlord on 12 June 1944.[3]

During Operation Martlet, the preparatory attack for Operation Epsom that took place on 25 June 1944, the brigade was heavily engaged around the village of Rauray with elements from the 12th SS Panzer and 26th SS Panzer Grenadier Regiments of 12th SS Panzer Division.[4] The 70th Brigade then fought a bloody battle around Rauray as Kampfgruppe Weidinger of 2nd SS Panzer Division counter-attacked between 29 June and 1 July.[5] For this it was given the battle honour of 'The Odon'[6]

Thereafter it fought south of Tilly-sur-Seulles, before following the 49th Division's initial drive during I Corps' drive to the Seine in late August. On 19 August, the brigade was withdrawn from the frontline and began to disband to fill the increasing gap in available infantry replacements as the British Army was suffering from a severe lack of available infantrymen at the time.[7] By 19 October 1944, the brigade ceased to exist.[8] Its place in the 49th Division was taken by the 56th Independent Infantry Brigade.

During the Mau Mau uprising, East Africa Command controlled 39th Infantry Brigade, 49th Infantry Brigade, and 70th (East African) Infantry Brigade.[9] Later 70th (East African) Brigade became the basis for the newly independent Kenya Army.[10] Brigade headquarters was at Nyeri where the Brigade Signals Troop was also located. May have operated from 1953 onwards.[11]

Commanders

  • Brig. P. Kirkup
  • Brig. P.P. King
  • Brig. E.C. Cooke-Collis

Component Units in World War I

Component Units in World War II

References

  1. ^ "Northern Command on 3 September 1939". Retrieved 2008-03-05. [dead link]
  2. ^ "British Expeditionary Force 1940 - 23rd Div". Retrieved 2003-03-05.
  3. ^ Baverstock, Kevin (2002). Breaking the Panzers. pp. 2–27. ISBN 0-7509-2895-6.
  4. ^ Meyer, Hubert (2005). The 12th SS: The History of the Hitler Youth Panzer Division. Stackpole Books. p. 393. ISBN 0-8117-3198-7. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |chapterurl=, |origdate=, and |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ Baverstock, pp.47-152
  6. ^ "Orders of Battle.com - 70th Brigade Honours". Retrieved 2008-03-05.
  7. ^ Baverstock, pp.162-177
  8. ^ "Orders of Battle.com - 70th Brigade History". Retrieved 2008-03-05.
  9. ^ United Kingdom: Kenya Insurgency 1952-1956 Units and Operations
  10. ^ Obituary: Maj-Gen Dick Gerrard-Wright The Telegraph, 12 July 2012
  11. ^ Paul, James; Spirit, Martin (2008). "British Units in the Kenyan Emergency". Britains-smallwars.com. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  12. ^ "Chesterfield Sherwoods on the Somme". Retrieved 2008-03-05.

Bibliography

  • Baverstock, Kevin. Breaking the Panzers: The Bloody Battle for Rauray. Sutton Publishing, 2002. ISBN 0-7509-2895-6
  • Delaforce, Patrick. The Polar Bears. Sutton Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0-7509-3194-9
  • "70 Infantry Brigade". Orders of Battle.com.
  • Casualties for 49th Division
  • Public Record Office, WO 171/653, Headquarters War Diary of 70th Infantry Brigade from January - July 1944
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