305th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)

305th Infantry Brigade
Active Formed 22 January 1945
Country  United Kingdom
Branch British Army
Type Infantry Brigade
Role Lines of Communication

305th Infantry Brigade (305 Bde) was a formation of the British Army organised from surplus Royal Artillery (RA) personnel retrained as infantry towards the end of World War II.

Origin

By the end of 1944, 21st Army Group was suffering a severe manpower shortage, particularly among the infantry.[1] At the same time the German Luftwaffe was suffering from such shortages of pilots, aircraft and fuel that serious aerial attacks on the United Kingdom could be discounted. In January 1945 the War Office began to reorganise surplus anti-aircraft and coastal artillery regiments in the UK into infantry battalions, primarily for line of communication and occupation duties in North West Europe, thereby releasing trained infantry for frontline service.[2][3] 305th was one of seven brigades formed from these new units.[4][5]

Composition

305th Infantry Brigade was formed on 22 January 1945 by conversion of Headquarters 49th Anti-Aircraft Brigade within 2 Anti-Aircraft Group. It was commanded by Brigadier R.C. Foot (Brigadier M.A. Carthew from 4 July 1945) and comprised the following Territorial Army RA units:[4][5]

Service

After infantry training, including a short period attached to 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division, 305 Bde came under the orders of 21st Army Group on 18 April 1945, and landed on the Continent two days later.[4]

Notes

  1. Ellis, pp. 141–2.
  2. Ellis, pp. 369, 380.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-09-30.
  4. 1 2 3 Joslen, p. 401.
  5. 1 2 "{title}". Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  6. http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/infantry/page22.htmll%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
  7. "{title}". Archived from the original on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  8. "{title}". Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  9. "{title}". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  10. Joslen, p. 215.
  11. "{title}". Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  12. "{title}". Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  13. http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=6697&page=1

References

  • Major L. F. Ellis, "History of the Second World War: United Kingdom Military Series: Victory in the West", Volume II: "The Defeat of Germany", London: HMSO, 1968/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2004, ISBN 1-84574-059-9.
  • Lt-Col H.F. Joslen, Orders of Battle, United Kingdom and Colonial Formations and Units in the Second World War, 1939–1945, London: HM Stationery Office, 1960/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2003, ISBN 1-84342-474-6.

External sources

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