1st Armoured Division (United Kingdom) - Second World War

Second World War

It first saw service in incomplete form under the command of Major-General Roger Evans when the second British Expeditionary Force was sent to France in 1940. It landed in France on 14 April 1940 and was evacuated on 16 June, having served south of the River Somme, isolated from the other British formations.

For the rest of 1940 and up until 27 August 1941, the division was stationed in the United Kingdom on anti-invasion duties under the command of Major General Willoughby Norrie. It then embarked for Egypt under the command of Major General Herbert Lumsden and arrived in Egypt on 13 November 1941. After Lumsden was wounded, Major General Frank Messervy took command in January 1942 retaining command until Lumsden returned in March. It took part in many of the major battles of the later part of the campaign against Rommel, including Gazala, First El Alamein, Second El Alamein, Tebaga Gap, Akarit, El Kourzia and Tunis. In August 1942 Major-General Raymond Briggs took control and in July 1943 Major-General Alexander Galloway took over the baton.

From the end of the Tunisian campaign the division remained in North Africa until May 1944. It then transferred to Italy, fighting one last battle at Coriano in the fighting on the Gothic Line. Major-General Richard Hull took over command for this part of the campaign in August 1944. The division was disbanded on 1 January 1945.