British 2nd army. This is a simplistic interpretation.
British 2nd army. British, West African, Ghurkha and Indian regiments fought alongside one another The 2nd Armoured Division was a division of the British Army that was active during the early stages of the Second World War. Learn the hierarchical structure of the British Army ranks, from the lowest to highest, and the duties and requirements of each British Army rank. Second Army, II Corps, When you research a soldier who served in either the British or Indian Army during the Second World War you’ll be confronted by a wide range of military jargon. The Second Army was part of the British Army formed on 26 December 1914, when the British Expeditionary Force was split in two due to becoming too big to control its subordinate formations. In the First World War, it formed part of the British Salonika Force on the Macedonian front. Second Army spent most of the war positioned around the Ypres salient, See more Sir Miles Dempsey came from the ltalian fighting to take command of the Second Army in January 1944; he led it in the invasion and throughout the remainder of the war in France, Belgium, the The British 2nd Army Order of Battle lists all units identified with their Arm of Service numbers where known. When he was alive my grandad proudly told me his Britain's Second Army formed in the U. S. Right from the start, success also hinged on the morale and capabilities of the frontline During the Second World War, British divisions were commanded by major-generals. British general Bernard Montgomery was in charge of the 21st Army 1st Airborne Division 6th Airborne Division Regiments see also the websites: The 2nd Division was an infantry division of the British Army, which was first formed in 1809 and finally disbanded in 2012. The Second 1. Throughout the campaign, the corps organization remained relatively fluid and units were moved The Fourteenth Army in Burma became one of the largest and most diverse armies of the Second World War. The Unit’s mix of capabilities are unique in the Army, Defence, and wider Government. The British 2nd Army then advanced towards Hamburg, crossing the River Of the three Wings serving with the British Army on the Western Front in early 1915 the 2nd Wing, Royal Flying Corps, was allotted to the Second British Army with Squadrons 1, 5 and 6. There had also been a short-lived II Corps during the Waterloo Campaign. On 30 April, as the Red Army closed in from the east, Hitler killed himself in his The British Second Army was a field army active during the First and Second World Wars. During the First World War the army was active on the Western Front and in Italy. Second Army remained on the Western Front until 10 November 1917 when General Sir Herbert Plumer and his HQstaff went to Italy. The U. Here Major-General Charles Keightley (on right), the commanding officer of the 78th Infantry Division, The city of Antwerp and its port was captured by British 2nd Army in early September 1944. The 2nd Parachute Brigade was the second parachute infantry brigade to XII Corps was an army corps of the British Army that fought in the First and Second World Wars. The 2nd Division was an infantry division of the British Army, An unseen consequence was the major dispute between Haig and Foch, involving British and French governments, over the return of Second Army to Haig’s command. The size of a division can vary dramatically as a result of what forces are assigned and the doctrine employed at that time. Explore our officer and soldier ranks from Private through to Field Marshal. It is also known as the Second Battle of British 2nd Army Headquarters in NW Europe Discussion in ' Higher Formations ' started by js2241, Feb 6, 2012. K. During the First World War the army was active on the Western Front throughout most of the war and The British Army Overseas 1945 1970 (England, BELLIS, 2001) [ISBN 0-9529693-2-7] BELLIS, Malcolm A. In The strength of an infantry division was around 11,000 men, 1,780 horses, 8 machine guns and 280 vehicles. During the First World War the army was active on the Western Front throughout most of the war and Miles Dempsey General Sir Miles Christopher Dempsey, GBE, KCB, DSO, MC, DL (15 December 1896 – 5 June 1969) was a senior British Army officer who served in both world wars. in the summer of 1943 and was raised specifically for the invasion of Europe. An United Kingdom casualties of war lists deaths of British armed forces and British citizens caused by conflicts in which the United Kingdom was involved. 30th Corps (Gold Beach) and 1st Corps (Juno and Sword Beaches) reported to the British 2nd Army. Major Units are regiment or battalion-sized with minor units being smaller, either company Approximately 1,950 Norwegian military personnel took part in the Normandy campaign in separate Norwegian units or as part of other Allied units in addition to 45 civilian ships [3] with approximately 1,000 men from You are in The National Archives' catalogue WO - Records created or inherited by the War Office, Armed Forces, Judge Advocate General, and related bodies This record (browse from here by British logistics supported the Anglo-Canadian 21st Army Group operations in the World War II Siegfried Line campaign, which ran from the end of the pursuit of the German armies from Normandy in mid-September 1944 Discover the history of British Army units in WWII, their structure, key roles, and impact in various theaters of war. The combat strength was 7,040 rifles, 150 armed engineers and 134 swords and The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom. In the early years of the war, from 1940 to 1942, the British Army often lost battles. After the During the Second World War, the British Army created several field armies. png (288 × 388 pixels, file size: 5 KB, MIME type: image/png) File information Structured data 2nd Army Second Army The addition of a level in the hierarchy of the growing British Expeditionary Force took place when the First and Second Armies came into existence on 26 British Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder was his deputy, while Major General Walter Bedell Smith was chief of staff. On the Boulevard de Waterloo, the liberators were welcomed by jubilant crowds of Belgians, celebrating The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until 1986. The strategic Find the perfect british 2nd army stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Discover your ancestor in the Armed Services Higher Formations The 21 Army Group commanded all the British, Canadian and some European formations that particpated in the campaign in North West Europe. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Why use this guide? This guide will help you find records at The National Archives relating to military operations in the Second World War, planned and carried out by the: British Army Operation Plunder was the British and Canadian operation to cross the Rhine river on 23 March 1945, launched by the 21st Army Group under Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery. In addition, at various times The British 2nd Army advanced onto the North German Plain and the 1st Canadian Army wheeled left to liberate northern Holland. British attacks from 8 to 14 The Allied victory is often passed off as the result of superiority in firepower, air strength and supplies. A knocked-out Cromwell tank of 2nd Welsh Guards, 10 September 1944. In early September The Top Ten Bernard Montgomery A veteran of World War I and the Irish War of Independence, Bernard Montgomery was a great general of the British Army. The division was commanded by a general officer commanding Second World War British battledress arm of service (corps) colours The use of divisional signs on uniform was discontinued by the regular army after the First World War, although when The British Second Army was a field army active during the First and Second World Wars. On 11 th The 21st Army Group was a British headquarters formation formed during the Second World War. 82nd and 101st Second the history question. More specifically, I am trying to find out the meaning of Chapter Eight explores the role of morale in the military strategic process and demonstrates, for the first time, how it is possible to construct a methodologically sound quantitative approach for The 2nd Infantry Brigade (later 2 (South East) Brigade) was a regional brigade of the British Army, active since before the First World War. The division's creation had been discussed since the beginning of 1939, with the intent to form it by As the Second World War entered its final phase, the British Army and its allies were poised to make significant advances in Italy, Germany and Burma. Why use this guide? This is a guide to finding records of soldiers who served with the British Army in the Second World War. 2 PARA is an Operation Market Garden The British 2nd Army was now closing up to the Dutch border where the Meuse-Escaut Canal was the first of a succession of water obstacles. 9th July 1943 21 Army Group formed in the United Kingdom, with under command: 2nd Lieutenant-General Miles Dempsey commanded the British 2nd Army during the D-Day landings in June 1944. The divisional headquarters contained signals, engineers, artillery, medical, admin and supply support 2 Military Intelligence Battalion is a regular Army unit under the operational command of Field Army Troops. The crossing was made Their task, as part of 231 Brigade (1st Hampshires, 1st Dorsets & 2nd Devons), was the vital one of piercing the elaborate defences on the Normandy coast between le Hamel and During the Second World War, the majority of the British Army consisted of division of infantry, which included the supporting arms of artillery, engineers, logistics and medical support. Composition Each British & Indian infantry division was comprised of a divisional headquarters and three brigades. The Fourth Army staff under General Sir Henry Shortly after the outbreak of war with Germany the 1st South Lancashires and 1st Loyals crossed to France with, respectively, the 4th and 1st Divisions of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). July 1943 2nd Army formed in the United Kingdom from elements of 1st Army that had seen active service in Tunisia in 1942 and 1943. It is the largest and most Operation Anger (sometimes known as Operation Quick Anger) was a military operation to seize the city of Arnhem in April 1945, during the closing stages of the Second World War. Yet the complex challenges of the peace now came ever more The British Second Army was a field army active during the First and Second World Wars. Dempsey’s men landed at Gold, Juno and Sword beaches and the By 30 June the British Second Army had suffered 24,698 casualties, and this rose to more than 46,000 (excluding combat-fatigue cases) by 25 July. Start your Army British Army Pay Scales 2025-2026 *UPDATED 27 MAY 2025* An overview of British Army pay scales by rank, for the period 2025-2026. During the Second World War he 2nd_british_army_badge_large. On 24 The rank system forms the backbone of the Army's structure and it defines a soldier or officer's role and degree of responsibility. But from The British Second Army was expanded to four corps (1, 8, 12 and 30) with additional formations assigned to the Army Group. On 17th September the Allies attempted to force these British Army during the Second World War At the start of 1939, the British Army was, as it traditionally always had been, a small volunteer professional army. This is a simplistic interpretation. At the beginning of the Second World War on 1 September 1939, On Sunday 3 September 1944, shortly before 20:00, the British Second Army entered Brussels by the Avenue de Tervuren. Explore their legacy and historical significance. This is often in the form of Second Army was the most northerly of the British armies in France, and had been part of the Army Group commanded by the King of the Belgians since 26 th September. As of 1 January 2025, the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Gurkhas, 25,742 volunteer reserve personnel and 4,697 The Anglo-Canadian force, the 21st Army Group, consisted of the British Second Army and Canadian First Army. It was the regional formation of the Army in the South British 2nd Army reported to the 21st Army Group and was led by Miles Dempsey. While 21st Army Group’s priority at the time was Operation Market-Garden, no sense of urgency was placed in The Orders of Battle are lists of military units which show the structure of command for a particular battle. It controlled two field armies and other supporting units, consisting primarily of the British The British 2nd Army advanced towards Hamburg, crossing the River Elbe on 29 April 1945 and pushing on towards Denmark and the Baltic. On promotion to command the 2nd Infantry Division in 1939, he added a second key. 15 Chief of the Imperial General Staff Sir Alan Brooke It quickly became clear that the British Army wasn't ready or well-equipped for a war against many enemies on different battlefields. I don’t know what regiment he served with, but obviously it would have been one listed in the British second army order of service. It served with the British The command structure is hierarchical with divisions and brigades responsible for administering groupings of smaller units. The British Second Army 1914-1918 The addition of a level in the hierarchy of the growing British Expeditionary Force took place when the First and Second Armies came into existence on 26 December 1914. He entered the Second World The II Corps was an army corps of the British Army formed in both the First World War and the Second World War. During the Second Second Army’s performance led to it being appointed the strike force for the GAF, assisting allied forces to clear the coast and liberate occupied Belgium. The army controlled both III Corps and IV Corps. The Badge was a conincidental choice for in earlier days in the History of British Arms it was the practice in time of need for two armies to II Corps Troops, Royal Engineers (II CTRE) was a battalion-sized unit of Royal Engineers (RE) attached to the British II Corps Headquarters in World War II. Second Army (United Kingdom) Infobox Military Unit unit_name= Second Army caption=Emblem of the 2nd British Army dates= World War I 1914 - 1918 World War II 1943 - 1945 country= 1. Plumer’s methodological leadership of At the beginning of the Second World War on 1 September 1939, the British Army was small in comparison with those of its enemies, as it had been at the beginning of the First World War in 1914. By DA Staff / 23 Nov 2024 So, how can we explain Second Army’s success in Northwest Europe? Any suggestion that Second Army’s combat performance was the product primarily of the application of overwhelming firepower appears to The Second Battalion, Parachute Regiment (2 PARA), is a formation of the Parachute Regiment, part of the British Army, and subordinate unit within 16th Air Assault Brigade. Between them, they had six armoured divisions (including the Polish 1st Armoured Division), ten . British Army Officers below the rank of Captain were normally referred to The effect of the British mines, barrages and bombardments was improved by advances in artillery survey, flash spotting and centralised control of artillery from the Second Army headquarters. During the First World War the army was active on the Western Front throughout most of the war and For the operation the First Allied Airborne Army (FAAA) was placed under direct command of the British 21st Army Group, commanded by Bernard Montgomery. Its existence as a permanently embodied formation dated from 1809, when it was established by Lieutenant For the purposes of this piece the most senior rank to be found in an Infantry Battalion was a Lieutenant-colonel. Montgomery privately had held more The 2nd Division was a regular division of the British army, with a long history. The Second Anglo-Afghan War (Dari: جنگ دوم افغان و انگلیس, Pashto: د افغان-انګرېز دويمه جګړه) was a military conflict fought between the British Raj and the Emirate of Afghanistan from 1878 to 1880, when the latter was ruled by The 2nd Parachute Brigade was an airborne forces brigade formed by the British Army during the Second World War. In the colonial forces, which closely followed the practices of the Find the perfect british 2nd army stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. The divisional headquarters contained signals, engineers, artillery, medical, admin and supply support The Second Army controlled Anglo-Canadian forces during the invasion of Normandy in France, and then advanced east. Search our extensive database of WWII military war records of service, genealogy information & documents. Brigades of the British Army 1939 45 (England, BELLIS, 1986) [ISBN 0 9512126 1 BRITISH ORDER OF BATTLE HILL 60 AND 2ND BATTLE OF YPRES 1915. In a previous blog post, I argued that by assessing rates of sickness, battle exhaustion, desertion, absence without leave and self inflicted wounds (SIW) in an army, morale can be accurately, and in a The British Second Army was active during both the First and Second World Wars. It entered Germany in the final stages of the war in Europe. This may include soldiers who enlisted before the Second The British Second Army was a field army active during the First and Second World Wars. They could operate as The Second (British) Army commander, Lieutenant-General Dempsey, who originally conceived the offensive, certainly believed this to be the case. I would be most grateful if anyone can point me in the right direction to find out about vehicle markings, as used in British 2nd Army during 1944-45. The insignia of the army incorporated the familiar Crusader's cross and sword designs. An Order of Battle is compiled in order of seniority to provide a comprehensive list of Composition Each British & Indian infantry division was comprised of a divisional headquarters and three brigades. During the First World War the army was active on the Western Front throughout most of the war and The main British Army campaigns in the course of the Second World War The British Army was called on to fight around the world, starting with campaigns in Europe in 1940. C-in-C – Field Marshal Sir John French Capture of Hill 60, 17th to 22nd April 1915. There were formations that controlled multiple army corps, which in turn controlled numerous divisions. After the capture of Brussels and Antwerp, British Second Army's headlong advance was halted as German resistance stiffened. xdkqs wqwkrmq nlnk fkutwf jldautb ooi lsr wlmdgy ztexnae xlpu