The primary armored formations with the BEF 1940 were the First Armored Division and First Army Tank Brigade as shown ahove. The First Armored Division arrived piecemeal in France after the German invasion. Its 3rd Armored Brigade of Cruiser tanks (166 total for the division) consisted of the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Royal Tank Regiments (RTR). The 3rd RTR and two infantry battalions of the First Support Group were sent to defend Calais on 22 May as the 30th Infantry Brigade. The other two RTRs landed in Cherbourg on 25 May. The 2nd Armored Brigade was composed of three Cavalry Light Tank Regiments (the Bays, 10th Hussars, and 9th Lancers) of Mk VI light tanks. These units landed at Cherbourg from 20-23 May. The 1st Army Tank Brigade consisted of the 4th and 7th battalions of Infantry "I" tanks.
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© Copyright 1998 by Dana Lombardy
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