British 79th, 80th and 81st Armoured Divisions

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eiserne kreuz
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British 79th, 80th and 81st Armoured Divisions

#1

Post by eiserne kreuz » 22 Aug 2005, 18:42

Having recently done some reading of the excellent series of books on the Allied Armies in WWII published by George Nafziger, I came across plans in mid 1942 to create three new Armoured Divisions out of excess armoured brigades and were called "X", "Y" and "Z" Armoured Divisions. Only the "X" became the 79th Armoured Division in 9.1942, and the 80th appeared briefly in the oob from "Y", presumably "Z" would have been 81st Armoured Division? Question is does anyone have anymore info on 80th and 81st Divisions, as I have not got the complete series of these booksyet. Thanks in advance.

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Andy H
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#2

Post by Andy H » 23 Aug 2005, 12:09

the 80th appeared briefly in the oob from "Y",
Could you post more on this matter please

Regards

Andy H


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Martin_Schenkel
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#3

Post by Martin_Schenkel » 29 Aug 2005, 09:33

The 80th Armoured Division was in 'existance' for only a few months in late 1942 and no Divisional HQ was ever formed, nor was a formation badge even created (an 80th Infantry was raised in Jan/43 as a training division). The 20th Armoured Brigade (which was surplus from 6th Armoured Division) and 161st RAC (an armoured car regiment) were the only units assigned to the 80th Armoured. The "Z" or 81st Armoured was never created. 6th Guards Armoured Brigade was going to be used for the 81st Armoured, but this never occured and 6th Guards went on to serve as a Tank Brigade in NW Europe.

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Andy H
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#4

Post by Andy H » 29 Aug 2005, 10:41

Martin_Schenkel wrote:The 80th Armoured Division was in 'existance' for only a few months in late 1942 and no Divisional HQ was ever formed, nor was a formation badge even created (an 80th Infantry was raised in Jan/43 as a training division). The 20th Armoured Brigade (which was surplus from 6th Armoured Division) and 161st RAC (an armoured car regiment) were the only units assigned to the 80th Armoured. The "Z" or 81st Armoured was never created. 6th Guards Armoured Brigade was going to be used for the 81st Armoured, but this never occured and 6th Guards went on to serve as a Tank Brigade in NW Europe.
Hi Martin

What are your sources for this information?

Kind Regards

Andy H

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Martin_Schenkel
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#5

Post by Martin_Schenkel » 30 Aug 2005, 00:42

Andy,

My source was: The British Armies In World War Two: An Organisational History, Vol. 1: British Armoured and Cavalry Divisions (Hughes, et al)

Regards,

Martin

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