5th Division

5th DIVISION

1939-1945

DIVISIONAL FLASH

LOCATIONS SERVED

September 1939 - A regular Infantry Division in the UK. The two Infantry Brigades in the Division went to France by early October as Independent Infantry Brigades.

December 1939 - Divisional Headquarters crossed to France on 19 December and by 30 December the Division was reformed.

April 1942 - 13 and 17 Infantry Brigades and a portion of the Divisional Troops were detached to Force 121 for Operations in Madagascar. The Division was not complete again until August 1942.

United Kingdom: 3.9.39 - 16.12.39
France & Belgium: 19.12.39 - 31.5.40
United Kingdom: 1.6.40 - 16.3.42
At Sea: 17.3.42 - 20.5.42
India: 21.5.42 - 20.8.42
At Sea: 20.8.42 - 28.8.42
Iraq: 28.8.42 - 28.9.42
Persia: 28.9.42 - 31.1.43
Syria: 13.2.42 - 11.6.43 (1)
Egypt: 13.6.43 - 28.6.43 (2)
At Sea: 29.6.43 - 10.7.43
Sicily: 10.7.43 - 3.9.43
Italy: 3.9.43 - 3.7.44
At Sea: 3.7.44 - 9.7.44
Egypt: 9.7.44 - 13.7.44
Palestine: 14.7.44 - 8.2.45
At Sea: 9.2.45 - 15.2.45
Italy: 15.2.45 - 27.2.45
At Sea: 27.2.45 - 2.3.45
NW Europe: 2.3.45 - 31.8.45

(1) In transit from Persia 1.2.43 - 12.2.43
(2) In transit 11.6.43 - 13.6.43

BATTLES & ENGAGEMENTS

1940

26 May - 28 May: Ypres - Comines Canal

1943

9 July - 12 July: Landing in Sicily
19 November - 3 December: The Sangro

1944

17 January - 31 January: Garigliano Crossing
22 January - 22 May: Anzio
22 May - 4 June: Rome

BRIGADES

13 Infantry Bde
3.9.39 - 15.9.39
30.12.39 - 26.4.42
2.7.42 - 31.8.45

2 Cameronians
2 Inniskilling Fus (until 28.9.39 & from 30.11.39 - 14.7.44)
2 Wiltshires
13 Inf Bde Atk Coy (until 6.1.41)
13 Inf Bde Sp Coy (4.5.43 - 20.6.44)
5 Essex (from 14.7.44))

15 Infantry Bde
3.9.39 - 4.10.39
30.12.39 - 16.4.40
3.7.40 - 31.8.45

1 Green Howards
1 KOYLI
1 York & Lancs
15 Inf Bde Atk Coy (until 6.1.41)
15 Inf Bde Sp Coy (4.5.43 - 14.6.44)

17 Infantry Bde
30.12.39 - 15.3.42
30.6.42 - 31.8.45

2 Royal Scots Fusiliers
2 Northamptons
2 Seaforths (4.10.39 - 30.3.40)
17 Inf Bde Atk Coy (until 6.1.41)
6 Seaforths (from 30.3.40)
17 Inf Bde Sp Coy (4.5.43 - 6.6.44)

DIVISIONAL TROOPS

RAC

5 Recce Regt: 1.1.44 - 31.8.45

RE

245 Fd Coy: 29.12.39 - 31.8.45
252 Fd Coy: 29.12.39 - 31.8.45
506 Fd Coy: 29.12.39 - 29.1.40
38 Fd Coy: 29.1.40 - 7.4.42 &
30.6.42 - 31.8.45

254 Fd Pk Coy: 29.12.39 - 31.8.45

18 Br Pl: 16.3.44 - 31.8.45

SIGS

5 Div: 3.9.-39 - 31.8.45

RA

9 Fd Regt: 28.12.39 - 7.4.42
91 Fd Regt: 28.12.39 - 26.4.42 & 2.7.42 - 31.8.45
92 Fd Regt: 28.12.39 - 30.4.40 & 6.6.40 - 28.6.45
97 Army Fd Regt: 15.5.40 - 31.5.40
156 Fd Regt: 29.8.42 - 31.8.45

52 ATK Regt: 28.12.39 - 31.8.45

18 LAA Regt: 5.2.42 - 31.8.45

INFANTRY

MG Bns

7 Cheshire: 11.11.41 - 31.8.45

RECCE

3 THR: 15.1.41 - 29.1.41
5 Bn: 30.1.41 - 5.6.42
5 Regt: 6.6.42 - 31.12.43

	DIVISIONAL COMMANDERS 3.9.39 Maj-Gen H.E.Franklyn 19.7.40 Maj-Gen H.P.M.Berney-Ficklin 3.8.43 Maj-Gen G.C.Bucknall 22.1.44 Maj-Gen P.G.S.Gregson-Ellis 21.4.44 Brig L.M.Campbell (Acting) 29.4.44 Maj-Gen P.G.S.Gregson-Ellis 24.11.44 Maj-Gen R.A.Hull
	NOTES VICTORIA CROSS SgtM.A.W. Rogers VC MM 2 Bn Wiltshire Regiment Date: 3 June 1944 Place: Anzio, Italy