1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade The 1st Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade Group ( ) was an armoured unit of expatriate Czechoslovaks organised and equipped by the United Kingdom during the Second World War in 1943 . The brigade landed in Normandy in August 1944 and was given the mission of containing the German - held port of Dunkirk for the rest of the war in Europe . In May 1945 , the brigade moved to Czechoslovakia and was absorbed into the Czechoslovak Army . Formation . The 1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade was created on 1 September 1943 , when the 1st Czechoslovak Independent Brigade ( itself originally formed as 1st Czechoslovak Mixed Brigade in July 1940 from remnants of the French Army ' s 1st Czechoslovak Division ) converted to armour and was redesignated as the 1st Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade Group ( this was often simplified to 1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade or abbreviated 1st CSIABG ) . The brigade was under the command of Major General Alois Liška . The motorised infantry battalion of the brigade traced its lineage back to Czechoslovak units that had fought in Libya and Lebanon , notably the 11th Infantry Battalion which took part in the defence of Tobruk . Siege of Dunkirk . The formation continued to train in the UK until the summer of 1944 when , with some 4 , 000 troops under command , it moved to Normandy , joining 21st Army Group at Falaise on 30 August . On 6 October , the brigade advanced to Dunkirk , northern France , and relieved the 154 ( Highland ) Infantry Brigade on the eastern side of the besieged German - held " fortress " of Dunkirk . The brigade was subordinated to the First Canadian Army , which was , at the time , responsible for the conduct of the siege . The tank units of the brigade were primarily equipped with the Cromwell tank , as well as Sherman Fireflies and Cruiser Mk VIII Challenger and M5 Stuart s . Crusader AA tanks were dispatched with the division , but not believed to be used . They were supported by a Motor Battalion in M5 Halftracks and Universal Carrier s , an anti - tank battery of 12 Ordnance QF 17 pounder anti - tank guns and a Field Artillery Regiment of two Batteries of Ordnance QF 25 pounder Howitzers . In addition the unit was supported by a Reconnaissance Squadron which used Humber Light Reconnaissance Car , M5 Stuart s , Humber Scout Car s and Cromwell tank s 1st Brigade spent the remainder of the war at Dunkirk , alternately attacking and being attacked by the energetic German garrison , including a successful major raid on German positions on 28 October 1944 , Czechoslovakian Independence Day . During that time , the brigade was reinforced by French units formed from local French Forces of the Interior troops ; on 15 October , these were amalgamated into the 110th French Infantry Regiment of two battalions ; and on 24 January 1945 , the regiment was redesignated as the 51st French Infantry Regiment and expanded to four battalions . Various British and Canadian formations also supported the siege at one time or another . In November , the brigade passed from the First Canadian Army back to direct control by Montgomery ’ s 21st Army Group . In the spring of 1945 , the 1st Armoured Brigade Group was expanded to 5 , 900 Czechoslovak officers and men , some of whom came from nationals recruited in liberated France , and a significant group ( a tank battalion , an artillery regiment , a motor transport company and a company of engineers ) from Czechs forced to serve in the Wehrmacht and who were then captured by the Allies in Normandy . Return to Czechoslovakia . On 23 April , a symbolic 140 - men strong unit , led by major Sítek detached from the troops besieging Dunkirk , joined with the 3rd US Army and raised the Czechoslovak flag on its homeland border crossing on 1 May 1945 at Cheb . The Dunkirk garrison did not surrender until 9 May 1945 , when 15 , 500 German troops and three U - boat s were captured by the Czechoslovaks . The brigade then marched to Prague , reaching the city on 18 May 1945 , eight days after the arrival of Soviet - sponsored Czechoslovak troops commanded by Ludvík Svoboda . During the siege of Dunkirk , the Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade suffered 668 casualties ; 167 dead , 461 wounded , and 40 missing . Order of battle . Organization in September 1944 : Organization in May 1945 :