Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) - Second World War

Second World War

The Rifle Brigade raised seventeen battalions to fight in the Second World War. In 1937, the regiment formed the first motor battalions, a role that would allow the Rifle Brigade freedom of movement which fit their tradition of speed and initiative. The 1st Battalion of the regiment was forced to surrender during the Battle of France in 1940 with the survivors of the 2nd Battalion KRRC and the now embodied Territorial Army battalion of the Queen Victoria's Rifles (KRRC). After a four day epic battle to hold Calais only 30 men escaped by Royal Navy launch just at the point of surrender, late afternoon 26 May, but not before they had fought a gallant last stand using up the last of their ammunition as they pulled back into the port.

The 1st Battalion was reformed in the UK and took part with the 2nd Battalion in the battles in North Africa. The 1st Battalion's four 6-pounders were credited with destroying 19 tanks from the 21st Panzer Division at the Battle of Alam el Halfa on the 31 August 1942. The 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade fought with distinction in the Western Desert Campaign, especially in the "Snipe" action during the Battle of El Alamein, where the four 6-pounders of that battalion, supported by a Royal Artillery 6-pounder Anti-Tank battery, destroyed fifty-one German and Italian tanks in a battle that lasted sixteen hours. Lieutenant Colonel Turner received the Victoria Cross for his actions fighting with the guns.

Four battalions of the regiment fought in the Italian Campaign, the 1st returning to England in December 1943 to prepare for the invasion of North West Europe. The remaining three battalions were formed into 61st Infantry Brigade, but continued their accustomed role of co-operating with armour when conditions allowed. Their capture of the hills of Perugia involved four successive night attacks. The 1st and 8th Battalions landed in Normandy in June 1944, and fought their way through France, Belgium and the Netherlands to end the war in the vicinity of Hamburg. The regiment was awarded 57 battle honours for World War II.