British 78th Infantry Division

British 78th Infantry Division was a World War II infantry division that played a significant role in the North African Campaign and the Italian Campaign. The division was formed in May 1942 and was composed of British Army units, with General Sir Bernard Montgomery as its initial commander. The division's formation was a result of the British Army's need for more infantry divisions to counter the Axis powers in North Africa. The division was trained in Egypt and Palestine before being deployed to Tunisia in March 1943.

● History

The division's history began with its formation in May 1942, with General Sir Claude Auchinleck as the Commander-in-Chief of the Middle East Command. The division was initially composed of the 11th Infantry Brigade, 36th Infantry Brigade, and the 38th Infantry Brigade, with Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers units in support. The division was trained in Egypt and Palestine before being deployed to Tunisia in March 1943, where it fought alongside the 1st Armoured Division and the 4th Infantry Division during the Tunisian Campaign. The division's performance in Tunisia was praised by General Sir Harold Alexander, who commended the division's bravery and discipline. The division then participated in the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943, where it fought alongside the US 1st Infantry Division and the Canadian 1st Infantry Division.

● Organisation

The division's organisation was typical of a British Army infantry division, with three infantry brigades and supporting units. The division was composed of the 11th Infantry Brigade, 36th Infantry Brigade, and the 38th Infantry Brigade, with Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers units in support. The division also had a Royal Signals unit and a Royal Army Service Corps unit. The division was equipped with Lee-Grant tanks and Churchill tanks, which were provided by the Royal Armoured Corps. The division's organisation was influenced by the British Army's experience in World War I, with an emphasis on infantry and artillery cooperation. The division worked closely with the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces to provide air support during battles.

● Commanders

The division had several commanders during its existence, including General Sir Vyvyan Evelegh, who commanded the division during the Tunisian Campaign. The division was also commanded by General Sir Charles Keightley, who led the division during the Italian Campaign. The division's commanders were experienced officers who had served in World War I and had a deep understanding of infantry warfare. The division's commanders worked closely with other senior officers, including General Sir Bernard Montgomery and General Sir Harold Alexander, to develop strategies and tactics. The division's commanders were also in contact with Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President of the United States, to discuss the progress of the war.

● Battles_and_Campaigns

The division participated in several battles and campaigns, including the Tunisian Campaign, the Allied invasion of Sicily, and the Italian Campaign. The division fought against the Afrikakorps and the Italian Army in Tunisia, and against the German Army in Sicily and Italy. The division's most notable battles were the Battle of Longstop Hill and the Battle of Centuripe, where it fought against the German 5th Panzer Army and the Italian 6th Army. The division also participated in the Battle of Monte Cassino, where it fought alongside the US 5th Army and the French Expeditionary Corps. The division's performance in these battles was praised by General Sir Harold Alexander and General Sir Bernard Montgomery, who commended the division's bravery and discipline.

● Order_of_Battle

The division's order of battle was as follows: the 11th Infantry Brigade was composed of the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, the 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, and the 5th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. The 36th Infantry Brigade was composed of the 5th Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment), the 6th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment, and the 7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The 38th Infantry Brigade was composed of the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, the 6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and the 2nd Battalion, London Irish Rifles. The division also had a Royal Artillery unit, which was composed of the 17th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, the 132nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, and the 138th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. The division's order of battle was influenced by the British Army's experience in World War I, with an emphasis on infantry and artillery cooperation. The division worked closely with other units, including the 1st Armoured Division and the 4th Infantry Division, to achieve its objectives.

Category:British Army divisions