20th Independent Infantry Brigade (Guards)

The brigade was formed in Aldershot Command in April 1940.^[1] It served during the Battle of France in 1940, briefly defending Boulogne in May 1940 (22–23 May 1940) before being successfully evacuated.^[2] After return to the United Kingdom, the brigade served in Eastern Command and London District.^[1]

On 15 September 1941, the brigade was converted into the 5th Guards Armoured Brigade; a component of the Guards Armoured Division.^[1] It served with distinction through the battles in Normandy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.

The following officers commanded the brigade:^[1]

• Brigadier Oliver Leese (from 22 April 1940)
• Brigadier William Fox-Pitt (from 10 May 1940)

The following units comprised the brigade:^[1]

• 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards
• 2nd Battalion, Welsh Guards
• 5th Battalion, Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) – (motorcycle unit, until 22 May 1940)
• 1st Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment – (joined 22 July 1940)
• 20th Independent Infantry Brigade (Guards) Anti-Tank Company
• 275th Anti-Tank Battery (less one Troop) of 69th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery – (attached during Boulogne operation)
• 225th Light Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps – (joined July 1940)
• 20th Independent Infantry Brigade (Guards) Company Royal Army Service Corps – (joined July 1940)
• 3rd Royal Tank Regiment

• Major L.F. Ellis, History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940, London: HM Stationery Office, 1954.
• Joslen, H. F. (2003) [1960]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939–1945. Uckfield, East Sussex: Naval and Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.