Country United Kingdom Type Armoured Size Brigade | Branch British Army Role Infantry Tank | |
Active 30 August 1941 – 17 March 1944 | ||
The 33rd Army Tank Brigade (later 33rd Tank Brigade) was an armoured brigade formation of the British Army raised during World War II.
Contents
Origin
33rd Army Tank Brigade was created on 30 August 1941 under GHQ Home Forces to supervise the training of infantry battalions converted to the armour role. On 15 October, Brigade HQ was completed to full establishment and it became an active brigade in Eastern Command and later I Corps. Its initial composition was one Territorial Army tank battalion and two converted infantry battalions of the Royal Armoured Corps >It was based in the "Dukeries" area of Nottinghamshire, the 43 RTR at Welbeck Abbey, 144 RAC at Rufford Abbey and 148 RAC at Thoresby Hall.
Service
On 22 June 1942, the brigade dropped 'Army' from its title and became the tank brigade in 3rd Infantry Division, which had reorganised as a 'mixed' division. However, in April 1943, 3rd Division reverted to being an infantry division and, on 4 May 1943, 33rd Tank Brigade became an independent formation again.
The brigade's regiments had trained in the Infantry Tank role, latterly on Churchill tanks, but in the Spring of 1944 converted to Sherman and Sherman Firefly medium tanks. Reflecting this changed role, 33rd Tank Brigade was redesignated 33rd Armoured Brigade on 17 March 1944.
Units
The following units served in 33rd Tank Brigade:
Commanders
The following officers commanded 33rd Tank Brigade: