The 1st Gibraltar Brigade was a

British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...

unit created in 1941 as a fortress brigade on

Gibraltar ) , anthem = " God Save the King" , song = " Gibraltar Anthem" , image_map = Gibraltar location in Europe.svg , map_alt = Location of Gibraltar in Europe , map_caption = United Kingdom shown in pale green , mapsize = , image_map2 = Gib ...

. It remained as such throughout the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. The brigade was a part of The Gibraltar Defence Force, established as a result of no local military force presence on the rock prior to the war. The Gibraltar Defence Force was a small anti aircraft unit that expanded as the war went on. As a part of the Gibraltar Defence Force, it was crucial to the war effort. Gibraltar's significance cannot be underplayed as it is known by many as the key to the strait. Even Gibraltar's coat of arms is a shield with a three towered castle with a golden key underneath. This shows the significance of the rock as the key to the strait. The first bombing of Gibraltar in 1940 did little to break morale and actually stiffened resolve among Gibraltarians. Some of which then decided to join the fight, as a part of the Gibraltar Defence Force. The rock was the choke point of Mediterranean Maritime activity and was crucial to the war effort for Britain and her allies. The rock had long been one of the most sought after location's for many empires. It was even considered "The Greatest Thoroughfare of Trade and Commerce in the World". The 1st Gibraltar Brigade and The Gibraltar Defence Force would be one of the most significant for the success of Britain and her allies.

Significance

The strait was one of the most significant points of interest for many years prior to the war and during a wartime effort, it is obvious that this fact would not change. Of course then, the unit or units stationed to defend this key point of interest would be extremely crucial to the success of the war effort for those that controlled it. This was exactly the case for Britain and her allies. The Gibraltar Defence Force was created, on 13 March 1941, to defend the rock and maintain British presence at one of the most crucial points of the Mediterranean Sea. The mouth of the Mediterranean was a choke point for all maritime activity in the sea and Gibraltar acted as the key to that point. Gibraltar was also the key to the strait as well and was the way into Spain from the Mediterranean. As part of the Gibraltar Defence Force, the 1st Gibraltar Brigade's significance is equal to that of the rock itself. Those that fought bravely to ensure Gibraltar remained under Allied control were massive players in the scope of the war whether they knew it themselves or not.

Components

* 2nd Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool), active on Gibraltar from 13 March 1941 to 17 November 1943 * 4th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), active on Gibraltar from 13 March 1941 to 25 April 1943 * Independent Company, active on Gibraltar from 13 March 1941 to 17 July 1944 * 2nd Royal Scots, active on Gibraltar from 22 April 1943 to 22 July 1944 * 1st Battalion,

Hertfordshire Regiment The Hertfordshire Regiment was a line infantry regiment of the Territorial Army, part of the British Army. Originating in units of Rifle Volunteers formed in 1859, the regiment served in the Second Anglo-Boer War and the First and Second Wor ...

, active on Gibraltar from 17 November 1943 to 22 July 1944 * 30th Battalion,

Dorsetshire Regiment The Dorset Regiment was a line infantry regiment of the British Army in existence from 1881 to 1958, being the county regiment of Dorset. Until 1951, it was formally called the Dorsetshire Regiment, although usually known as "The Dorsets". In 19 ...

, active on Gibraltar from 22 July 1944 to 31 August 1945 * 31st Battalion,

Suffolk Regiment The Suffolk Regiment was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army with a history dating back to 1685. It saw service for three centuries, participating in many wars and conflicts, including the First and Second World Wars, before bein ...

, active on Gibraltar from 22 July 1944 to 31 August 1945

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:1 Gibraltar Brigade

Gibraltar in World War II 1941 establishments in Gibraltar Military units and formations established in 1941