79th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)
The 79th Armoured Division was a specialist armoured division of the British Army created during the Second World War. The division was created as part of the preparations for the Normandy invasion on 6 June 1944, D-Day. Major-General Percy Hobart commanded the division and was in charge of the development of armoured vehicles that were solutions to problems of the amphibious landing on the defended French coastline; these unusual-looking tanks it developed and operated were known as "Hobart's Funnies". They included tanks that floated, could clear mines, destroy defences, carry and  lay bridges, and roadways. The practical use of these specialist tanks was confirmed during the landings on the beaches. Its vehicles were distributed as small units across the divisions taking part in the landings and subsequent operations. The division remained in action during the North-west European Campaign, providing specialised support during assaults to the 21st Army Group and, occasionally, to American units outside 21st. Again they were of significant use during the Rhine crossings. History. The division was formed as a standard armoured formation serving in the UK under Northern Command in August 1942. General Sir Alan Brooke, the  Chief of the Imperial General Staff, who foresaw the need for specialised armoured vehicles, offered command of the division to Major-General Percy Hobart in October 1942. Initially the division included infantry, artillery and engineers but the infantry unit, 185th, was removed in September 1942, its artillery regiments were all removed by April 1943 and its engineer units were generally removed by November 1943. Hobart gave firm direction and the strange-looking tanks it developed and operated were known as Hobart's Funnies. They included tanks that floated, could clear mines, destroy defences, carry and lay bridges, and roadways - anything  that would enable the invasion force to get ashore and break through the German defences. The division landed in France in June 1944. The division was further used during the Battle for Brest, the battle for the Scheldt estuary (Operation Infatuate), the battle for the Roer Triangle (Operation Blackcock), the Rhine crossings (Operation Plunder) and the Elbe crossing. The 79th Armoured Division was disbanded on 20 August 1945. Hobart subsequently commanded the Specialized Armour Development Establishment (SADE), which was formed from elements of the 79th together with the Assault Training and Development Centre. Equipment. The equipment included the following: The  79th Armoured Division was first raised as a conventional armoured division, with one Armoured Brigade, one Infantry Brigade and supporting arms. Order of battle. 27th Armoured Brigade - Attached to the 79th Armoured Division from 8 September 1942 until 20 October 1943. 185th Infantry Brigade - Transferred out to 3rd Infantry Division on 9 April 1943. HQ Royal Artillery – converted into 9th Army Group Royal Artillery on 1 May 1943 30th Armoured Brigade - Transferred to the division on 17 October 1943. 1st Assault Brigade and Assault Park Squadron RE - Formed on 1 November 1943 The division was under direct command of the  21st Army Group, portions being placed in support of the Second Army for Operation Overlord. 1st Assault Brigade and Assault Park Squadron RE (AVRE) 30th Armoured Brigade (Sherman Crab) This is the order of battle on 17 September 1944, at the beginning of Operation Market Garden. The division was not involved in that battle, but was involved heavily in the battles for the Channel ports, such as Operation Astonia at Le Havre, and the Battle of the Scheldt. 30th Armoured Brigade (Sherman Crab) 1st Assault Brigade and Assault Park Squadron RE (AVRE) 1st Tank Brigade 31st Tank Brigade This is  the order of battle for the division on 23 March 1945, which was the commencement of the crossing of the River Rhine, and the beginning of the final advance into Germany. As can be seen, the establishment of the division had grown as the requirement for specialised armour had increased. 1st Assault Brigade Royal Engineers (AVRE) 30th Armoured Brigade (Sherman Crab) 31st Armoured Brigade (Churchill Crocodile, Kangaroo (armoured personnel carrier)) 33rd Armoured Brigade (LVT 4)