25th Armoured Engineer Brigade

Introduction

In December 1994, as 8th Army was peparing to advance into the Po Valley with its many rivers and canals, the brigade came into existance for reasons stated in the following extract from 25th Tank Brigade's Narrative of Operations.

"The resources of mechanical equipment which were confined to those held by 1st Assault Regiment Royal Armoured Corps/Royal Engineers had proved totally inadequate to maintain the advance of tanks over this country which was so heavily intersected by rivers, canals and irrigation ditches, all of which, without practically any exception, presented a tank obstacle. The composition of 1st Assault Regiment was made up of Royal Armoured Corps and Royal Engineers personnel in the ratio of three to one in favour of Royal Armoured Corps, and they had in the past already experienced difficulty in obtaining reinforcements for the handling of this specialised equipment. It was thought, however, that the personnel of 25th Tank Brigade with their extensive experience and knowledge of tanks would be for more fitted to handle the equipment, particularly with the limitations which time and operations imposed. The Brigade itself, however had its reinforcement problem and it was therefore decided that it would be impossible to accept further additional equipment, but that the solution was the conversion of existing tanks. Consequently twelve tanks were taken for conversion to Arks and twelve more for fascine carriers, although the latter would not restrict the tank from carrying out its normal role once tho fascines had been dropped. This policy had been carried out with success, The brigade third line Workshops 685th Tank Troop Workshops having undertaken the Ark conversion, and Brigade Workshops having been concerned with the production of fascine carriers, the work being expeditiously carried out with success. Although the time had arrived when 51st Royal Tanks and 142nd Regiment Royal Armoured Corps were released from direct tank operations, they nevertheless had to maintain specialised mechanical equipment which they manned at call of 5 Corps for any subsequent operations. However, during the period covered by the next chapter, the old partnership of 25th Tank Brigade was to end, only to be re-born in a new formation which was to play a vital and decisive role in the defeat of the enemy in the Spring offensive of the Eighth Army."

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Churchill Speciality Tanks - 'Hobart's Funnies'

In late 1944 the two Churchill Brigades had ARKs and Fascine Carriers in their inventories, both types being most necessary in Northern Italy with its numerous rivers and canals to be crossed. As were the ARVs, the ARKs and Fascine Carriers wore Brigade and Arm of Service insignia. With the reforming of 25th Tank Brigade as an Armoured Engineer Brigade, inventories of both types were handed over to the newly designated unit. Subsequently, they and the later delivered Crocodiles and Bridge Layers, were attached to units of 21st Tank Brigade as the need arose. North Irish Horse records show, there was intense competition between the NIH and each of the two RTR battalions, for their services during the last months of the war. For the record, the Brigade also had Sherman Crab Flails as part of its inventory.

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Arm of Service Insignia

 51st Battalion Royal Tank Regiment

Note: The Arm of Service insignia was not changed.

1st Assault Regiment Royal Armoured Corps/Royal Engineers.
The AoS is a white 167 on a blue background.

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See Tank Photographs and/or Names


51st Battalion Royal Tank Regiment

 

1st Assault Regiment Royal Armoured Corps/Royal Engineers

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Churchill Insignia