1st Tank Brigade: Royal Armoured Corps WWII
Infantry Tank Brigade

The 1st Army Tank Brigade (established in 1939) was renamed 1st Tank Brigade in April 1940 and sent to France in May 1940 as part of the British Expeditionary Force to aid France against German invasion. Fielding A11 and A12 (Matilda) infantry tanks, the Brigade made a notable counterattack at Arras and then covered the withdrawal to Dunkirk. Survivors evacuated with no equipment.
In 1941, a reformed 1st Tank Brigade was sent to Egypt equipped with Valentine tanks. Under VIII Corps command the brigade supported the 2nd South African Infantry Division in taking Bardia. Subsequent operations included the Battles of Gazala and El Alamein.
After a long period of training in the Middle East, 1st Army Tank Brigade transferred to England and was re-equipped with Grant Canal Defense Light (CDL) tanks and, later, LVT-2 and LVT-4 amphibious tractors for operations in Northwest Europe. Under command of the 79th Armored Division, 1st Army Tank Brigade landed in France in August 1944. There was no action for the Brigade in August or September, but October and November found them fighting in Belgium and Holland. The Brigade was disbanded in December 1944, but the regiments were transfered to the 33rd Tank Brigade and remained with 79th Armored and took part in Operation Plunder (Rhine River Crossing in March 1945.
OOB:
4th RTR 9/39 - 12/40 BEF
7th RTR 9/39 - 12/40 BEF
8th RTR 9/39 - 9/42 did not join BEF
44th RTR 12/40 - 5/43
49th RTR 12/40 - 10/44
42nd RTR 4/41- 11/44
11th RTR 10/42 - 10/44