Second World War
The brigade was re-formed on 1 April 1943 from the 4th (Malta) Infantry Brigade, which had garrisoned the island during its siege by air and sea by the Axis powers. The unit was formed as the main British military force for the operation to capture the Dodecanese Islands in late 1943. The brigade, under Major General F. G. R. Brittorous, later replaced by Brigadier Robert Tilney, was landed on the island of Leros. The Brigade, together with other British, Italian and Allied forces, attempted to hold the Dodecanese islands against successive German air attacks and the landings of amphibious German forces, but without success. In the Battle of Kos and the Battle of Leros, German air superiority and tactical ability resulted in British defeats, and their garrisons were forced to surrender after a few days' resistance.
Component units on 16 November 1943 included:
- 2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Fusiliers
- 2nd Battalion, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
- 4th Battalion, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)
- 1st Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)
Read more about this topic: 234th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
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