4th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East, previously known as 4th Mechanized Brigade and before that 4th Armoured Brigade is a

brigade A brigade is a major tactical military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute a division. B ...

formation of the

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 ...

, currently based in Catterick, North Yorkshire as part of

1st (United Kingdom) Division The 1st (United Kingdom) Division, formerly known as the 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division and the 1st Division, is a division of the British Army. Divisional history (1809–1959) The 1st Division was formed following the disbandment of ...

. The brigade, now known as the 'Black Rats', was formed in 1939 and fought in 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 opposi ...

in the Western Desert Campaign in

North Africa North Africa, or Northern Africa is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. There is no singularly accepted scope for the region, and it is sometimes defined as stretching from the Atlantic shores of Mauritania in ...

. The Black Rats were subsequently involved in the

invasion of Sicily The Allied invasion of Sicily, also known as Operation Husky, was a major campaign of World War II in which the Allied forces invaded the island of Sicily in July 1943 and took it from the Axis powers ( Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany). It bega ...

and fighting in Italy before taking part in the

Battle of Normandy Operation Overlord was the codename for the Battle of Normandy, the Allied operation that launched the successful invasion of German-occupied Western Europe during World War II. The operation was launched on 6 June 1944 (D-Day) with the Norm ...

and the advance through Belgium, Holland and into Germany. More recently, the Brigade took part in the First Gulf War and completed a number of tours to the Balkans during the 1990s. The Black Rats have also since deployed twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan as the lead formation.

History

Second World War

In September 1939, at the start of the

this brigade changed its title from Heavy Armoured Brigade (Egypt) to 4th Armoured Brigade.Brief History Of The British 4th Armoured Brigade
On 27 July 1941, it handed over its units to the 1st Army Tank Brigade and received new units based in

Egypt Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Medit ...

. It was reformed again when the HQ arrived in

Sicily (man) it, Siciliana (woman) , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = Ethnicity , demographics1_footnotes = , demographi ...

and it took control of new units there. The 4th Armoured Brigade saw service in the North African Campaign, the

Allied invasion of Sicily The Allied invasion of Sicily, also known as Operation Husky, was a major campaign of World War II in which the Allied forces invaded the island of Sicily in July 1943 and took it from the Axis powers ( Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany). It b ...

, the Italian Campaign and in North-western Europe. Although it served under many different formations it was most famous as part of the 7th Armoured Division, the "Desert Rats". The 4th Armoured Brigade left the 7th Armoured Division in North Africa in 1943, to return to join the Allied invasion force for Normandy. In June 1944, the brigade landed in Normandy as an independent brigade and fought during the

during the

Battle for Caen The Battle for Caen (June to August 1944) is the name given to fighting between the British Second Army and the German in the Second World War for control of the city of Caen and its vicinity during the larger Battle of Normandy. The battle ...

. The 4th Armoured Brigade was the first to cross the Rhine into Germany. The brigade was disestablished in 1948. Former BBC motorsports commentator

Murray Walker Graeme Murray Walker (10 October 1923 – 13 March 2021) was an English motorsport commentator and journalist. He provided television commentary of live Formula One coverage for the BBC between 1976 and 1996, and for ITV between 1997 and 20 ...

served with 4th Armoured Brigade during the Second World War as a member of The Royal Scots Greys. After the war he started a motorcycle club, organising trials and scrambles for the soldiers within the Brigade.

Cold War era

The Brigade spent many years in Germany as part of the

British Army of the Rhine There have been two formations named British Army of the Rhine (BAOR). Both were originally occupation forces in Germany, one after the First World War and the other after the Second World War. Both formations had areas of responsibility located ...

. The brigade was one of two "square" brigades assigned to 2nd Armoured Division when it was formed in 1976. After being briefly converted to "Task Force Charlie" in the late 1970s, the brigade was reinstated in 1981, assigned to 3rd Armoured Division and was based at York Barracks in

Münster Münster (; nds, Mönster) is an independent city (''Kreisfreie Stadt'') in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also a state di ...

. The Brigade deployed to the First Gulf War on Operation Granby in 1990/91 and was involved in the liberation of Kuwait. It moved to Quebec Barracks at

Osnabrück Osnabrück (; wep, Ossenbrügge; archaic ''Osnaburg'') is a city in the German state of Lower Saxony. It is situated on the river Hase in a valley penned between the Wiehen Hills and the northern tip of the Teutoburg Forest. With a population ...

in 1993 to replace 12th Armoured Brigade as part of

1st (UK) Armoured Division The 1st (United Kingdom) Division, formerly known as the 1st (United Kingdom) Armoured Division and the 1st Division, is a division of the British Army. Divisional history (1809–1959) The 1st Division was formed following the disbandment o ...

Post-Cold War

4th Armoured Brigade deployed to Bosnia in October 1995 as UNPROFOR HQ Sector South-West and subsequently as the leading UK element of the

NATO The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, ; french: Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord, ), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 member states – 28 European and two No ...

Implementation Force (IFOR). The Black Rats have since deployed twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan, first on

Operation Herrick Operation Herrick was the codename under which all British operations in the War in Afghanistan were conducted from 2002 to the end of combat operations in 2014. It consisted of the British contribution to the NATO-led International Security Ass ...

12 in 2010; and again in October 2012 for Operation Herrick 17, during which it was working in support of the Afghan Army's 3/215 Brigade and elements of the Afghan National Police.

Structure circa 2020

4th Infantry Brigade

Under

Army 2020 Army 2020, was the name given to the restructuring of the British Army, in light of the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review. Background The British Government gave an indication of its proposals for the future structure of the Army in ea ...

, the brigade lost its armour and converted to an infantry brigade. The structure of the brigade in 2020 was as follows: * 4th Infantry Brigade, at Peronne Lines,

Catterick Garrison Catterick Garrison is a major garrison and military town south of Richmond, North Yorkshire, England. It is the largest British Army garrison in the world, with a population of around 13,000 in 2017 and covering over 2,400 acres (about 10 ...

The Light Dragoons The Light Dragoons (LD) is a cavalry regiment in the British Army. The regiment has a light cavalry role and specialises in mounted and dismounted reconnaissance. The Light Dragoons recruit mainly in Northern England, from the counties of Northu ...

, at Gaza Barracks, Catterick Garrison (Light Cavalry, 66x Jackal armoured reconnaissance vehicles) ** The Queen's Own Yeomanry (Army Reserve), at

Fenham Barracks Fenham Barracks is a military installation in Barrack Road, Newcastle upon Tyne. History The site was acquired by the War Office from Newcastle Corporation in 1804 and, following the construction of three barrack blocks, became the home of units ...

Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle upon Tyne ( RP: , ), or simply Newcastle, is a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England. The city is located on the River Tyne's northern bank and forms the largest part of the Tyneside built-up area. Newcastle is ...

(Light Cavalry, 66x Jackal armoured reconnaissance vehicles) ** The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion,

The Royal Regiment of Scotland The Royal Regiment of Scotland is the senior and only Scottish line infantry regiment of the British Army Infantry. It consists of three regular (formerly five) and two reserve battalions, plus an incremental company, each formerly an indiv ...

, at

Glencorse Barracks Glencorse Barracks is a British Army barracks situated in Glencorse just outside the town of Penicuik in Midlothian, Scotland. It is one of the three barracks which make up the City of Edinburgh Garrison, with Dreghorn and Redford Barracks. It h ...

Penicuik Penicuik ( ; sco, Penicuik; gd, Peighinn na Cuthaig) is a town and former Police burgh, burgh in Midlothian, Scotland, lying on the west bank of the River Esk, Lothian, River North Esk. It lies on the A701 road, A701 midway between Edinburgh a ...

(Light Infantry) ** 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, at Dale Barracks, Chester (Light Infantry) ** 2nd Battalion,

Mercian Regiment The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire, Worcesters and Foresters, and Staffords) is an infantry regiment of the British Army, which is recruited from five of the counties that formed the ancient kingdom of Mercia. Known as 'The Heart of England's Infant ...

, at

Weeton Barracks Weeton Barracks is a military installation at Weeton-with-Preese in Lancashire, England. History The barracks were established, using tented accommodation, as Weeton Camp in 1916 during the First World War. The Royal Air Force also used Weeton ...

, Blackpool (Light Infantry) – arriving back from Cyprus in November 2020 ** 52nd Lowland Volunteers, 6th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (Army Reserve), at

Walcheren Barracks Walcheren Barracks is a drill hall located at Hotspur Street in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland. It is located adjacent to the site of the former Maryhill Barracks. History The current building was originally constructed in 1935 as the new headquar ...

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...

(Light Infantry) – paired with 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS) ** 4th Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (Army Reserve), at

Kimberley Barracks Kimberley Barracks is a military installation on Deepdale Road in Preston in Lancashire, England PR1 6PR. Naming The name of the barracks is based on the battle honour won by the Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) when it was besieged by Boer ...

, Preston (Light Infantry) – paired with 1st Battalion, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (1 LANCS) ** 4th Battalion,

Yorkshire Regiment The Yorkshire Regiment (14th/15th, 19th and 33rd/76th Foot) (abbreviated YORKS) is an infantry regiment of the British Army, created by the amalgamation of three historic regiments in 2006. It lost one battalion as part of the Army 2020 defence ...

(Army Reserve), at

Worsley Barracks Worsley () is a village in the City of Salford, Greater Manchester, England, which in 2014 had a population of 10,090. It lies along Worsley Brook, west of Manchester. Within the boundaries of the historic county of Lancashire, there is evid ...

York York is a cathedral city with Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is the historic county town of Yorkshire. The city has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a ...

(Light Infantry) – paired with 2 YORKS until November, then paired with 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment (2 MERCIAN)

Headquarters North East

* Headquarters North East, at Peronne Lines,

** Yorkshire Officer Training Regiment (Army Reserve) *** Leeds University Officers' Training Corps (Army Reserve), at

Carlton Barracks Carlton Barracks is a military installation in Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. History The barracks were opened as a base for the 4th Battalion of the West Yorkshire Militia in 1865. In 1887 the barracks were bought, with corps funds, to accomm ...

Leeds Leeds () is a city and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England. It is built around the River Aire and is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is also the third-largest settlement (by popula ...

*** Sheffield University Officers' Training Corps (Army Reserve), at Somme Barracks,

Sheffield Sheffield is a city in South Yorkshire, England, whose name derives from the River Sheaf which runs through it. The city serves as the administrative centre of the City of Sheffield. It is historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire a ...

** Northumbrian University Officers' Training Corps (Army Reserve), in Newcastle upon Tyne ** 4th Infantry Brigade & Headquarters North East Cadet Training Team, at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall ** Cleveland Army Cadet Force, in

Middlesbrough Middlesbrough ( ) is a town on the southern bank of the River Tees in North Yorkshire, England. It is near the North York Moors national park. It is the namesake and main town of its local borough council area. Until the early 1800s, the a ...

** Durham Army Cadet Force, in

Chester-le-Street Chester-le-Street (), also known as Chester, is a market town and civil parish in County Durham, England, around north of Durham and also close to Sunderland and Newcastle upon Tyne. It is located on the River Wear, which runs out to sea at ...

** Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force, at Driffield Camp,

Driffield Driffield, also known as Great Driffield, is a market town and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The civil parish is formed by the town of Driffield and the village of Little Driffield. By road, it is north-east of Leeds ...

** Northumbria Army Cadet Force, at Fox Barracks,

Cramlington Cramlington is a town and civil parish in Northumberland, England, 6 miles (9 kilometres) north of Newcastle upon Tyne, and 10 miles (16 kilometres) north of its city centre. The name suggests a probable founding by the Danes or Anglo-Saxons. T ...

** Yorkshire (North and West) Army Cadet Force, at Queen Elizabeth Barracks,

Strensall Strensall is a village in the Strensall with Towthorpe civil parish in the unitary authority of the City of York in North Yorkshire, England, on the River Foss north of York and north-east of Haxby. From the 2011 Census, the civil parish of ...

Second World War commanders

The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 BU2486

During the Second World War: * January 1940 to April 1941 Brigadier J.A.L. Caunter * April 1941 to April 1942 Brigadier A.H. Gatehouse * April 1942 to July 1942 Brigadier G.W. Richards * July 1942 to September 1942 Brigadier W.G. Carr * September 1942 to November 1942 Brigadier M.G. Roddick * November 1942 to January 1943 Brigadier C.B.C. Harvey * January 1943 to February 1943 Brigadier D.S. Newton-King * February 1943 to December 1943 Brigadier J.C. Currie * December 1943 to March 1944 Brigadier H. J. B. Cracroft * March 1944 to June 1944 Brigadier J. C. Currie * June 1944 to August 1945 Brigadier R.M.P. Carver

Brigade commanders

Recent commanders have included: * 1976–1978 Brigadier Desmond Langley * 1981–1984 Brigadier Charles Guthrie * 1994–1996 Brigadier

Richard Dannatt General Francis Richard Dannatt, Baron Dannatt, (born 23 December 1950) is a retired senior British Army officer and member of the House of Lords. He was Chief of the General Staff (head of the Army) from 2006 to 2009. Dannatt was commissioned ...

* 1996–1998 Brigadier David Richards * 1998–2000 Brigadier

Bill Rollo Lieutenant General Sir William Raoul Rollo, (born August 1955) is a former senior British Army officer. Military career Rollo was commissioned as a second lieutenant (on probation) in the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve on 10 March 1977. ...

* 2000-2002 Brigadier Nicholas Smith * 2002–2004 Brigadier Paul Gibson * 2005–2007 Brigadier Chris Deverell * 2007–2009 Brigadier

Julian Free Major General Julian Richard Free is a retired British Army officer who served as commandant of the Joint Services Command and Staff College. Military career Free was commissioned into the Royal Artillery on 5 September 1986. He became commandi ...

* 2009–2011 Brigadier Richard Felton * 2011–2013 Brigadier

Bob Bruce Robert James Bruce (May 16, 1933 – March 14, 2017) was an American professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher who appeared in 219 games in Major League Baseball from to for the Detroit Tigers, Houston Colt .45s / Astros, and Atla ...

* 2013–2015 Brigadier Charlie HerbertNew man takes over the Black Rats
Northern Echo, 12 June 2013 * 2015–2016 Brigadier

Gerald Strickland Gerald Paul Joseph Cajetan Carmel Antony Martin Strickland, 6th Count della Catena, 1st Baron Strickland, (24 May 1861 – 22 August 1940) was a Maltese and British politician and peer, who served as Prime Minister of Malta, Governor of the L ...

* 2016–2019 Brigadier Oliver Stokes * 2019–present Brigadier Oliver Brown

Notes

References

External links

4th Infantry Brigade

British Army Locations from 1945
{{British mobile brigades of the Second World War 4 Armoured 4 Mechanised Military units and formations established in 1939 Organisations based in North Yorkshire Military units and formations established in 1976