Country United Kingdom Type Infantry Brigade | Branch British Army | |
Active 25 May 1917 – 16 March 1920
27 July 1941–1945 Part of 75th Division (World War I)
Malta Command (World War II) Notable
commanders Brig-Gen the Hon Edward Colston
Brigadier Ivan de la Bere | ||
233rd Brigade was an infantry formation of the British Army in World War I and World War II
Contents
World War I
233rd Brigade was formed at Zeitun, near Cairo, on 25 May 1917, as part of 75th Division, which was being organised by the British Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) from Territorial Force battalions arriving as reinforcements from India. The War Office ordered that Indian Army battalions should also be included in order to speed up the formation of the Division, and 233rd Brigade was formed on this basis.
Order of Battle
The following units served in 233rd Brigade during World War I:
Commanders
The following officers commanded 233rd Brigade during this period:
Service
233rd Brigade took over the Rafa defences in Sinai in June 1917, and only joined 75th Division on 18 August that year. It took part in the EEF's invasion of Palestine beginning with the Third Battle of Gaza on 27 October 1917, culminating in the Capture of Gaza (6–7 November) and Junction Station (13–14 November), and the Battle of Nebi Samwil (20–24 November). In the Spring of 1918, 233rd Brigade was involved in the actions at Tell 'Asur (11–12 March) and Berukin (9–11 April). During General Allenby's final offensive (the Battles of Megiddo, 233rd Brigade took part in the Battle of Sharon (19 September). At the end of the fighting on 19 September, 75 Division went into reserve until the Armistice with the Turks was signed on 31 October. Demobilisation began early in 1919, but the 75th Division was selected for the Army of Occupation of Palestine. The reduced division formed one composite brigade under the command of Brig-Gen Colston of 233rd Brigade. In March 1919 it returned to garrison duty in Egypt, and other units were attached for this work. Finally, 233rd Brigade was disbanded on 16 March 1920.
World War II
On 27 July 1941, Malta Command created Central Infantry Brigade from among reinforcements that had reached the island from Egypt during the ongoing siege; brigade HQ was provided by HQ 'D' Infantry Brigade, which had come out from the United Kingdom. Central Infantry Brigade was commanded by Brigadier Ivan de la Bere, and was renamed 3rd (Malta) Infantry Brigade on 14 July 1942. It was renamed again as 233rd Infantry Brigade on 1 April 1943.
Order of Battle
The following units served in 3rd (Malta)/233 Bde during World War II: