69th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
The 69th Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army in the Second World War. It was a second-line Territorial Army formation, and fought in the Battle of France with the 23rd (Northumbrian) Division. The brigade was later part of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division. It went on to fight in the North African campaign, the Allied invasion of Sicily, the Normandy landings and the North West Europe campaign.
Tunisian campaign
Troops take shelter near an M10 tank destroyer, 6 June 1944
Members of the Green Howards talking to French civilians, 23 August 1944.
23rd (Northumbrian) Division
The 23rd (Northumbrian) Division was an infantry division of the British Army, which fought briefly in the Battle of France during the Second World War. In March 1939, after the re-emergence of Germany as a European power and its occupation of Czechoslovakia, the British Army increased the number of divisions within the Territorial Army by duplicating existing units. The 23rd (Northumbrian) Division was formed in October 1939, as a second-line duplicate of the 50th (Northumbrian) Motor Division. It was made up of two brigades, unlike regular infantry divisions that were composed of three, with battalions hailing from the north of England.
Major-General Herbert, commander of the division, a 1940 portrait by Reginald Eves.
The Panzer 38(t), the primary tank of the 8th Panzer Division during the Battle of France.
British troops retreating towards Dunkirk in June 1940.
Men of the 7th Green Howards, 69th Brigade, on coastal defence duties following their transfer to the 50th Division