| 33rd Tank Brigade | |
|---|---|
Formation Insignia of the 33rd Tank Brigade
| |
| Active | 30 August 1941 – 17 March 1944 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Armoured |
| Role | Infantry Tank |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | Independent Brigade 3rd Division |
33rd Tank Brigade (November 1941)
| |
|---|---|
| Parent unit | |
| Components |
43rd Royal Tank Regiment |
33rd Tank Brigade (March 1944)
| |
|---|---|
| Parent unit | |
| Components |
1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry |
The 33rd Army Tank Brigade (later 33rd Tank Brigade) was an armoured brigade formation of the British Army raised during the Second World War.
33rd Army Tank Brigade was created on 30 August 1941 under GHQ Home Forces to supervise the training of infantry battalions converted to the armour role. On 15 October, Brigade HQ was completed to full establishment and it became an active brigade in Eastern Command and later I Corps. Its initial composition was one Territorial Army tank battalion and two converted infantry battalions of the Royal Armoured Corps >It was based in the "Dukeries" area of Nottinghamshire, the 43 RTRatWelbeck Abbey, 144 RACatRufford Abbey and 148 RACatThoresby Hall.[1][2][3]
On 22 June 1942, the brigade dropped 'Army' from its title and became the tank brigade in 3rd Infantry Division, which had reorganised as a 'mixed' division. However, in April 1943, 3rd Division reverted to being an infantry division and, on 4 May 1943, 33rd Tank Brigade became an independent formation again.[4]
The brigade's regiments had trained in the Infantry Tank role, latterly on Churchill tanks, but in the spring of 1944 converted to Sherman and Sherman Firefly medium tanks.[5] Reflecting this changed role, 33rd Tank Brigade was redesignated 33rd Armoured Brigade on 17 March 1944.[6]
The following units served in 33rd Tank Brigade:[7]
The following officers commanded 33rd Tank Brigade:[8]
