As the war progressed, the main role of the lower-establishment formations became supplying reinforcements to the fighting formations. Notably, 45th (West Country) Divisional Signals also supplied signal sections to Beach Groups that played a vital role in the assault landings at Salerno (Operation Avalanche) and in Normandy. By August 1944 the drain of supplying reinforcements to 21st Army Group fighting in Normandy had so reduced 45th Division that it was broken up: 45th (WC) Divisional Signals was disbanded on 30 August 1944. The existing 77th (Holding) Division was redesignated 45th (Holding) Division and its signal unit was similarly renumbered. Coincidentally, 77th/45th (Holding) Division was commanded by a TA officer, Maj-Gen Godwin Michelmore, who had been 43rd (Wessex) Divisional Signals' first CO in 1920.