In Company with Tanks

As the Second World War loomed, the Territorial Army was doubled and 2nd Battalion, The London Rifle Brigade was formed. This title was short lived and 8th Rifle Brigade joined the newly raised 11th Armoured Division in the spring of 1941. Three years of training followed, with regular changes of tactics and developments in weapons and equipment. Some of these were still being implemented at the last moment before the invasion of North West Europe, including the issue of a mix of Lend Lease US halftracks.

Deploying to Normandy, 8 RB’s companies were attached to their respective Sherman regiments of 29 Armoured Brigade and were well prepared for their part in Operation EPSOM. At the tip of the salient driven across the Odon, the Riflemen fought their first bloody action on Hill 112. Operation GOODWOOD followed in mid-July, with successful infantry assaults on villages before tank casualties and heavy rain brought a halt to the battle.

At the end of the month, with the American breakout gaining momentum, the 11th Armoured Division was transferred west into the Bocage in Operation BLUECOAT. In very different terrain the Riflemen played a leading part in the advance south. Having reached Preseles, again at the tip of an advance, 8 RB fought a desperate defensive battle against an SS panzer division. But by now the Germans were becoming exhausted and over two weeks, the pattern was an advance 10 miles or so against delaying positions before facing a serious German position, usually based on an obstacle as dusk settled. Overnight the enemy withdrew again, and the process was repeated daily to Falaise and beyond.

The distances covered in the pursuit to the Seine were greater but with the seizure of a crossing at Venon, the division was rushed forward and in a remarkable advance of many miles against disorganised German formations, the division took Amiens and secured bridges over the River Somme, forestalling enemy attempts to form a defensive line.

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