207th Independent Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)

The 207th Independent Infantry Brigade was a Home Defence formation of the British Army during World War II.

207th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)
Active10 October 1940 – 24 January 1944
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeInfantry Brigade
RoleHome Defence
Insignia
Essex County Division insignia worn by the Brigade in 1941.

Origin

The brigade was formed for service in the United Kingdom on 10 October 1940 by No 7 Infantry Training Group in Scottish Command. Under the name of 207th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) it was initially composed of newly raised infantry battalions from the North of England.[1]

Service

Early in its service the brigade came under the administrative control 18th Infantry Division (2 November 1940 – 16 February 1941), and then became an integral part of Essex County Division from its formation until disbandment on 7 October 1941, when the brigade was renamed the 207th Independent Infantry Brigade.[1][2] However, the brigade's battalions had all left in the previous August for conversion to Royal Armoured Corps regiments for service in India. The Brigade HQ then moved to the Orkney and Shetland Defences (OSDEF) and once more took infantry battalions under its command. On 24 January 1944 the Brigade HQ returned to mainland United Kingdom and was re-designated HQ 8 Base Sub-Area.[1]

Order of battle

The composition of 207th Brigade was as follows:[1]

Brigade headquarters reformed as HQ 8 Base Sub-Area.

Commanders

The commanders of 207th Bde were:[1]

  • Brigadier A.L. Collier (until 12 October 1941)
  • Brigadier R.N. Stewart (from 208th Brigade, until 14 February 1943)
  • Brigadier J.F.S. McLaren (until 6 December 1943)

References

  1. Joslen, p. 370.
  2. Joslen, p. 111.
  3. Forty, pp. 50–1.
Sources
  • George Forty, British Army Handbook 1939-1945, Stroud: Sutton Publishing, 1998, ISBN 0 7509 1403 3.
  • Joslen, H. F. (2003) [1990]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939–1945. Uckfield: Naval and Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.
  • Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth

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