1st Armored Brigade, Royal Tank Corps WWII
1940-41

On 14 April 1940, 1st Light armored was renamed 1st Armored Brigade Group as part of the 1st Armored Division (RAC). The brigade was at this time equipped with light tanks and immediately transferred to the 2nd Armored Division. With the defeat of the BEF in June 1940 and destruction of the 1st Armored Division, 2nd Armored was re-equipped with cruiser tanks as they became available. The Brigade was held in reserve against the threat of German invasion in England until such threat subsided in late 1940, at which time the brigade shipped out to Egypt, arriving in January 1941. In March 1941, the Brigade was sent to Greece to assist against the Axis invasion there with disastrous results. Survivors evacuated to Egypt in late April 1940 without their equipment.
1st Armored Brigade was then attached to the 7th Armored Division in non-combat roles until November 1942 when the 1st Armored Brigade was disbanded. Remaining units were re-assigned or parceled out to other brigades as replacements.

OOB:
1st The King's Dragoon Guards RTR, 1939- 6/1942
3rd The King's Own Hussars RTR, 1939- 1/1941 to 7th AB
4th The Queen's Own Hussars RTR,1939- 6/1942
8th King's Royal Irish Hussars RAC, 5/1941 - 8/1941 to 4th AB
1st RTR, 1/1942- 6/1942 to 22nd AB
3rd RTR, 2/1941- 8/1941 to 8th AB
6th RTR, 5/1942 -6/1942