1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade - Siege of Dunkirk

Siege of Dunkirk

The formation continued to train in the UK until the summer of 1944 when, with some 4,000 troops under command, it moved to Normandy, joining 21st Army Group at Falaise on 30 August. On 6 October, the brigade advanced to Dunkirk, northern France, and relieved the 154 (Highland) Infantry Brigade on the eastern side of the besieged German-held "fortress" of Dunkirk. The brigade was subordinated to the First Canadian Army, which was, at the time, responsible for the conduct of the siege. The tank units of the brigade were primarily equipped with the Cromwell tank, as well as Sherman Fireflies and M5 Stuarts. Crusader AA tanks were dispatched with the division but not believed to be used. They were supported by a Motor Battalion in M5 Halftracks and Universal Carriers, an anti-tank battery of 12 Ordnance QF 17 pounder anti-tank guns and a Field Artillery Regiment of two Batteries of Ordnance QF 25 pounder Howitzers. In addition the unit was supported by a Reconnaissance Squadron which used Humber Light Reconnaissance Car, M5 Stuarts, Humber Scout Cars and Cromwell tanks

1st Brigade spent the remainder of the war at Dunkirk, alternately attacking and being attacked by the energetic German garrison, including a successful major raid on German positions on 28 October 1944, Czechoslovakian Independence Day. During that time the brigade was reinforced by French units formed from local French Forces of the Interior troops; on 15 October these were amalgamated into the 110th French Infantry Regiment of two battalions, and on 24 January 1945 the regiment was redesignated as the 51st French Infantry Regiment and expanded to four battalions. Various British and Canadian formations also supported the siege at one time or another.

In November the brigade passed from the First Canadian Army back to direct control by Montgomery’s 21st Army Group. In the spring of 1945 the 1st Armoured Brigade Group was expanded to 5,900 Czechoslovak officers and men, some of whom came from nationals recruited in liberated France, and a significant group (a tank battalion, an artillery regiment, a motor transport company and a company of engineers) from Czechs forced to serve in the Wehrmacht and who were then captured by the Allies in Normandy.