British Expeditionary Force order of battle (1940)
# British Expeditionary Force order of battle (1940)

This is the British Expeditionary Force order of battle on 9 May 1940, the day before the German forces initiated the Battle of France.

## High-level order of battle

First Expeditionary Force

    General John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
       5th Infantry Division (Major-General Harold Franklyn)
    I Corps (Lieutenant-General Michael Barker)
       1st Infantry Division (Major-General Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander)
       2nd Infantry Division (Major-General Henry Charles Loyd)
       48th (South Midland) Infantry Division (Major-General Augustus Francis Andrew Nicol Thorne)
    II Corps (Lieutenant-General Alan Brooke)
       3rd Infantry Division (Major-General Bernard Montgomery)
       4th Infantry Division (Major-General Dudley Johnson)
       50th (Northumbrian) Motor Infantry Division (Major-General Giffard Martel)
    III Corps (Lieutenant-General Sir Ronald Forbes Adam
       42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division (Major-General William Holmes)
       44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division (Major-General Edmund Osborne)
    Saar Force (Major-General Victor Fortune)
       51st (Highland) Infantry Division (Major-General V. M. Fortune)
    Formations undergoing training and performing labour duties
    HQ Lines of Communication British Expeditionary Force (Major-General Philip de Fonblanque)
    Units arriving in France after 10 May 1940

Other formations

    Air Component
    Second Expeditionary Force

## First Expeditionary Force

### General Headquarters (GHQ)

    General Officer Commanding-in-Chief: General John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
    Chief of the General Staff: Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Royds Pownall
    Adjutant General: Lieutenant-General Sir W. D. S. Brownrigg
    Quartermaster General: Lieutenant-General W. G. Lindsell
    Deputy Chief of the General Staff; Major-General Philip Neame
    Major-General Royal Artillery: Major-General Sydney Rigby Wason
    Engineer-in-Chief: Major-General Ridley Pakenham-Walsh

### Armoured Brigades

    1st Light Armoured Reconnaissance Brigade
       Brigade manning armoured cars
          1st Light Armoured Reconnaissance Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals
          1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry
          1st East Riding of Yorkshire Lancers
    2nd Light Armoured Reconnaissance Brigade
       Brigade manning armoured cars
          2nd Light Armoured Reconnaissance Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals
          5th (Royal Inniskilling) Dragoon Guards
          15th/19th (The King's) Royal Hussars
    1st Army Tank Brigade
       Brigade manning infantry and cavalry tank
          1st Army Tank Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals
          4th Royal Tank Regiment
          7th Royal Tank Regiment

### Commander Royal Engineers

Major-General Ridley Pakenham Pakenham-Walsh

    Direct reports
       100th (Monmouthshire) Army Field Company, Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers
       101st (Monmouthshire) Army Field Company, Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers
       216th (1st London) Army Field Company, Royal Engineers
       228th (West Riding) Field Company, Royal Engineers
       242nd (Lowland) Field Company, Royal Engineers
       223rd (2nd London) Field Park Company, Royal Engineers
       109th Workshop and Park Company, Royal Engineers
       1st Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers
       2nd Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers
       19th Army Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers
       119th Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers
       135th Excavator Company, Royal Engineers
       1st Boring Section, Royal Engineers
       2nd Boring Section, Royal Engineers
       1st Anti-Gas Laboratory, Royal Engineers
       58th (Chemical Warfare) Company, Royal Engineers
       61st (Chemical Warfare) Company, Royal Engineers
       62nd (Chemical Warfare) Company, Royal Engineers
    1st Tunnelling Group, Royal Engineers
       170th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers
       171st Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers
       172nd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers
       173rd Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers

### 5th Infantry Division

Major-General Harold Franklyn

### I Corps

Lieutenant-General Michael Barker

1st Infantry Division

Main article: History of the British 1st Division during the World Wars

Major-General Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander

Division-level units

1st Infantry Division Headquarters and Employment Platoon

1st Infantry Divisional Field Cash Office, Royal Army Pay Corps

1st Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals

13th/18th Royal Hussars

2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment (Machine-Guns)

4th (City of Aberdeen) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders (Machine-Guns)

1st Infantry Divisional Field Post Office, Royal Engineers

1st Mobile Bath Unit, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

1st Company, Corps of Military Police

1st (Guards) Infantry Brigade

1st (Guards) Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards

2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards

2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment

1st Guards Brigade Anti-Tank Company

2nd Infantry Brigade

2nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

2nd Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's)

6th (Banffshire) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders

2nd Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

3rd Infantry Brigade

3rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

1st Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding)

2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters

1st Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry

3rd Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

Commander Royal Artillery, 1st Division

1st Infantry Divisional Artillery HQ

2nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

19th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

67th (South Midland) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

21st Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

Commander Royal Engineers, 1st Division

1st Infantry Divisional Royal Engineers HQ

23rd Field Company, Royal Engineers

238th (County of Renfrewshire, Highland) Field Company, Royal Engineers

248th (East Anglian) Field Company, Royal Engineers

6th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

Commander Royal Army Service Corps, 1st Division

1st Infantry Divisional Royal Army Service Corps HQ

1st Infantry Divisional Ammunition Company, Royal Army Service Corps

1st Infantry Divisional Petrol Company, Royal Army Service Corps

1st Infantry Divisional Supply Column, Royal Army Service Corps

Commander Royal Army Medical Corps, 1st Division

1st Infantry Divisional Royal Army Medical Corps HQ

1st Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

2nd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

3rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

1st Field Hygiene Section, Royal Army Medical Corps

2nd Infantry Division

Main article: 2nd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)

Major-General Henry Charles Loyd

Division-level units

2nd Infantry Division Headquarters and Employment Platoon

2nd Infantry Divisional Field Cash Office, Royal Army Pay Corps

2nd Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals

4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards

2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment (Machine-Guns)

2nd Infantry Divisional Field Post Office, Royal Engineers

2nd Mobile Bath Unit, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

2nd Company, Corps of Military Police

4th Infantry Brigade

4th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

1st Battalion, Royal Scots

2nd Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment

8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers

4th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

5th Infantry Brigade

5th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment

2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment

1st Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

5th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

6th Infantry Brigade

6th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers

1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales's)

2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

6th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

Commander Royal Artillery, 2nd Division

2nd Infantry Divisional Royal Artillery HQ

10th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

16th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

99th (Buckinghamshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

13th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

Commander Royal Engineers, 2nd Division

2nd Infantry Divisional Royal Engineers HQ

5th Field Company, Royal Engineers

208th (Sussex) Field Company, Royal Engineers

506th Field Company, Royal Engineers

21st Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

Commander Royal Army Service Corps, 2nd Division

2nd Infantry Divisional Royal Army Service Corps HQ

2nd Infantry Divisional Ammunition Company, Royal Army Service Corps

2nd Infantry Divisional Petrol Company, Royal Army Service Corps

2nd Infantry Divisional Supply Column, Royal Army Service Corps

Commander Royal Army Medical Corps, 2nd Division

2nd Infantry Divisional Royal Army Medical Corps HQ

4th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

5th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

6th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

2nd Field Hygiene Section, Royal Army Medical Corps

48th (South Midland) Infantry Division

Main article: 48th (South Midland) Division

Major-General Augustus Francis Andrew Nicol Thorne

Division-level units

48th (South Midland) Infantry Division Headquarters and Employment Platoon

48th (South Midland) Divisional Field Cash Office, Royal Army Pay Corps

48th (South Midland) Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals

4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment

48th (South Midland) Divisional Field Post Office, Royal Engineers

14th Mobile Bath Unit, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

48th (South Midland) Divisional Provost Company, Corps of Military Police

143rd Infantry Brigade

143rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

1st Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

7th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

8th Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment

143rd Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

144th Infantry Brigade

144th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment

8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment

144th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

145th Infantry Brigade

145th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment

1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry

145th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

Commander Royal Artillery, 48th Division

48th (South Midland) Divisional Royal Artillery HQ

18th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

24th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

68th (South Midland) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

53rd (Worcestershire and Oxfordshire Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

Commander Royal Engineers, 48th Division

48th (South Midland) Divisional Royal Engineers HQ

9th Field Company, Royal Engineers

224th (South Midland) Field Company, Royal Engineers

226th (South Midland) Field Company, Royal Engineers

227th (South Midland) Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

Commander Royal Army Service Corps, 48th Division

48th (South Midland) Infantry Divisional Royal Army Service Corps HQ

48th (South Midland) Infantry Divisional Ammunition Company, Royal Army Service Corps

48th (South Midland) Infantry Divisional Petrol Company, Royal Army Service Corps

48th (South Midland) Infantry Divisional Supply Column, Royal Army Service Corps

Commander Royal Army Medical Corps, 48th Division

48th (South Midland) Infantry Divisional Royal Army Medical Corps HQ

143rd (South Midland) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

144th (South Midland) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

145th (South Midland) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

12th Field Hygiene Section, Royal Army Medical Corps

II Corps

Main article: II Corps (United Kingdom)

Lieutenant-General Alan Brooke

Corps-level units

4th Field Cash Office, Royal Army Pay Corps

5th, Royal Army Pay Corps

6th, Royal Army Pay Corps

II Corps Signals, Royal Signals

2nd Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (Machine-Guns)

2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) (Machine-Guns)

7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) (Machine-Guns)

II Corps Postal Unit, Royal Engineers

II Corps Troops Ammunition Column, Royal Army Service Corps

II Corps Ammunition Company, Royal Army Service Corps

II Corps Supply Column, Royal Army Service Corps

II Corps Petrol Company, Royal Army Service Corps

2nd Ambulance Car Company, Royal Army Service Corps

3rd Section from 1st Personnel Company, Royal Army Service Corps

18th Section from 2nd Personnel Company, Royal Army Service Corps

33rd Section from 2nd Personnel Company, Royal Army Service Corps

3rd Ordnance Field Park, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

2nd Army Field Workshop, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

8th Army Field Workshop, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

14th Army Field Workshop, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

6th Mobile Bath Unit, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

14th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

7th Field Hygiene Section, Royal Army Medical Corps

3rd Advanced Medical Stores Depot, Royal Army Medical Corps

2nd Mobile Hygiene Laboratory, Royal Army Medical Corps

2nd Mobile Bacteriological Laboratory, Royal Army Medical Corps

5th Casualty Clearing Station, Royal Army Medical Corps

6th Casualty Clearing Station, Royal Army Medical Corps

103rd Provost Company, Royal Military Police

2nd Reception Camp

4th Storage Unit

5th Storage Unit

6th Storage Unit

13th Storage Unit

II Corps Headquarters Troops

Intelligence Section, Intelligence Corps

2nd Air Intelligence Section, Intelligence Corps

8th Air Intelligence Section, Intelligence Corps

5th Employment Platoon

4th Field Security Police Section, Royal Military Police

5th Field Security Police Section, Royal Military Police

8th Field Security Police Section, Royal Military Police

12th Field Security Police Section, Royal Military Police

20th Field Security Police Section, Royal Military Police

II Corps Troops, Royal Engineers

Main article: II Corps Troops, Royal Engineers

222nd (2nd London) Army Field Company, Royal Engineers

234th (Northumbrian) Army Field Company, Royal Engineers

240th (Lowland) Army Field Company, Royal Engineers

108th (Essex) Corps Field Park, Royal Engineers

14th Corps Survey Company, Royal Engineers

2nd General Construction Group, Royal Engineers

660th General Construction Company, Royal Engineers

661st General Construction Company, Royal Engineers

667th General Construction Company, Royal Engineers

223rd (2nd London) Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

11th Group, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps

40th Company, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps

42nd Company, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps

60th Company, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps

II Corps Artillery Troops

2nd Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery

2nd General Headquarters Artillery Company, Royal Army Service Corps

II Corps Commander, Royal Artillery

60th (North Midland) Army Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

88th (2nd West Lancashire) Army Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

53rd (London) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery

59th (4th West Lancashire) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery

53rd (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

II Corps Commander, Medium Artillery

2nd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery (Field)

32nd Army Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

2nd Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery

4th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery

58th (Suffolk) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery

51st (Lowland) Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery

2nd Super Heavy Battery, Royal Artillery

3rd Infantry Division

Main article: 3rd Division (United Kingdom)

Major-General Bernard Montgomery

Division-level units

3rd Infantry Division Headquarters and Employment Platoon

3rd Infantry Divisional Field Cash Office, Royal Army Pay Corps

3rd Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals

2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own)

7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own)

3rd Infantry Divisional Field Post Office, Royal Engineers

3rd Mobile Bath Unit, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

3rd Infantry Divisional Provost Company, Corps of Military Police

7th (Guards) Infantry Brigade

7th (Guards) Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signal Section, Royal Signals

1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards

2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards

1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards

7th (Guards) Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

8th Infantry Brigade

8th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signal Section, Royal Signals

1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment

2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of York's Own)

4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales's)

8th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

9th Infantry Brigade

9th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signal Section, Royal Signals

2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment

1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers

2nd Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles

9th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

Commander Royal Artillery, 3rd Division

3rd Infantry Division Royal Artillery Headquarters

7th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

33rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

76th (Highland) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

20th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

Commander Royal Engineers, 3rd Division

Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Divisional Royal Engineers

17th Field Company, Royal Engineers

246th (Welsh) Field Company, Royal Engineers

253rd (West Lancashire) Field Company, Royal Engineers

15th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

Commander Royal Army Service Corps, 3rd Division

Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Divisional Royal Army Service Corps

3rd Infantry Divisional, Royal Army Service Corps

3rd Infantry Divisional Ammunition Company, Royal Army Service Corps

3rd Infantry Divisional Petrol Company, Royal Army Service Corps

3rd Infantry Divisional Supply Column, Royal Army Service Corps

Commander Royal Army Medical Corps, 3rd Division

Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Divisional Royal Army Medical Corps

7th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

8th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

9th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

3rd Field Hygiene Section, Royal Army Medical Corps

4th Infantry Division

Main article: 4th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)

Major-General Dudley Johnson

Division-level units

4th Infantry Division Headquarters and Employment Platoon

4th Infantry Divisional Field Cash Office, Royal Army Pay Corps

4th Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals

2nd Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers

4th Infantry Divisional Field Post Office, Royal Engineers

13th Mobile Bath Unit, Royal Army Medical Corps

4th Infantry Divisional Provost Company, Corps of Military Police

10th Infantry Brigade

10th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

6th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment

2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

10th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

11th Infantry Brigade

11th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers

1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment

5th (Huntingdonshire) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment

11th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

12th Infantry Brigade

12th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)

1st Battalion, The South Lancashire Regiment

6th (Perthshire) Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)

12th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

Commander Royal Artillery, 4th Division

4th Infantry Divisional Royal Artillery HQ

22nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

30th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

77th (Highland) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

14th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

Commander Royal Engineers, 4th Division

4th Infantry Divisional Royal Engineers HQ

7th Field Company, Royal Engineers

59th Field Company, Royal Engineers

225th (South Midland) Field Company, Royal Engineers

18th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

Commander Royal Army Service Corps, 4th Division

4th Infantry Divisional Royal Army Service Corps HQ

4th Infantry Divisional Ammunition Company, Royal Army Service Corps

4th Infantry Divisional Petrol Company, Royal Army Service Corps

4th Infantry Divisional Supply Column, Royal Army Service Corps

Commander Royal Army Medical Corps, 4th Division

4th Infantry Divisional Royal Army Medical Corps HQ

10th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

11th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

12th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

4th Field Hygiene Section, Royal Army Medical Corps

50th (Northumbrian) Motor Infantry Division

Main article: 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division

Major-General Giffard Martel

Division-level units

50th Infantry Division Headquarters and Employment Platoon

50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Divisional Field Cash Office, Royal Army Pay Corps

50th (Northumbrian) Divisional Signals, Royal Signals

4th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers—Divisional motorcycle reconnaissance unit

50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Divisional Field Post Office, Royal Engineers

unknown #, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Divisional Provost Company, Corps of Military Police

25th Infantry Brigade

25th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment

1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers

7th (Southwark) Battalion, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment

150th Infantry Brigade

150th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

4th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of York's Own)

4th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)

5th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards)

151st Infantry Brigade

151st Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

Commander Royal Artillery, 50th Division

50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Divisional Royal Artillery HQ

72nd (Northumbrian) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

74th (Northumbrian) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

65th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

Commander Royal Engineers, 50th Division

50th (Northumbrian) Divisional Engineers HQ

232nd (Northumbrian) Field Company, Royal Engineers

505th Field Company, Royal Engineers

235th (Northumbrian) Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

Commander Royal Army Service Corps, 50th Division

50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Divisional Royal Army Service Corps HQ

50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Divisional Ammunition Company, Royal Army Service Corps

50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Divisional Petrol Company, Royal Army Service Corps

50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Divisional Supply Column, Royal Army Service Corps

Commander Royal Army Medical Corps, 50th Division

50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Divisional Royal Army Medical Corps HQ

149th (Northumbrian) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

150th (Northumbrian) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

183rd Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

22nd Field Hygiene Section, Royal Army Medical Corps

III Corps

Main article: III Corps (United Kingdom)

Lieutenant-General Sir Ronald Forbes Adam

III Corps Headquarters, Troops

III Corps Cash Office, Royal Army Pay Corps

44th Field Cash Office, Royal Army Pay Corps

III Corps Signals, Royal Corps of Signals

1/9th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment (Machine-Guns)

III Corps Postal Unit, Royal Engineers

78th Company, Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps

III Corps Troops Ammunition Column, Royal Army Service Corps

III Corps Ammunition Company, Royal Army Service Corps

III Corps Supply Column, Royal Army Service Corps

III Corps Petrol Company, Royal Army Service Corps

2nd Ambulance Car Convoy, Royal Army Service Corps

4th Ordnance Field Park, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

4th Army Field Workshop, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

9th Army Field Workshop, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

15th Mobile Bath Unit, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

159th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

23rd Field Hygiene Section, Royal Army Medical Corps

10th Casualty Clearing Station, Royal Army Medical Corps

12th Casualty Clearing Station, Royal Army Medical Corps

104th Provost Company, Corps of Military Police

3rd Reception Camp

7th Storage Unit

9th Storage Unit

12th Storage Unit

Commander Royal Engineers, III Corps

214th (North Midland) Army Field Company, Royal Engineers

217th (1st London) Army Field Company, Royal Engineers

293rd Corps Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

668th General Construction Company, Royal Engineers

514th Corps Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers

Commander Royal Artillery, III Corps

3rd Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery

3rd General Headquarters Artillery Company, Royal Army Service Corps

4th General Headquarters Artillery Company, Royal Army Service Corps

Commander Royal Artillery, III Corps

III Corps Royal Artillery HQ

5th Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery (Field)

97th (Kent Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

56th (Highland) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery

54th (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

Commander Medium Artillery, III Corps

III Corps Medium Artillery HQ

139th (4th London) Army Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

65th (8th London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

69th (West Riding) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

52nd (Bedfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery

42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division

Main article: 42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division

Major-General William Holmes

Division-level units

42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division Headquarters and Employment Platoon

42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Divisional Field Cash Office, Royal Army Pay Corps

42nd (East Lancashire) Divisional Signals, Royal Signals

7th Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment

42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Divisional Field Post Office, Royal Engineers

10th Mobile Bath Unit, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Divisional Provost Company, Corps of Military Police

125th Infantry Brigade

125th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

5th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers

6th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers

1st Battalion, The Border Regiment

125th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

126th Infantry Brigade

126th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

5th Battalion, The King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

1st Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment

5th (Cumberland) Battalion, The Border Regiment

126th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

127th Infantry Brigade

127th Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

4th Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment

5th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment

1st Battalion The Highland Light Infantry

127th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

Commander Royal Artillery, 42nd Division

42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Divisional Royal Artillery HQ

52nd (Manchester) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

53rd (Bolton) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

56th (King's Own) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

Commander Royal Engineers, 42nd Division

42nd (East Lancashire) Divisional Engineers HQ

200th (East Lancashire) Field Company, Royal Engineers

201st (East Lancashire) Field Company, Royal Engineers

250th (East Anglian) Field Company, Royal Engineers

203rd (East Lancashire) Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

Commander Royal Army Service Corps, 42nd Division

42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Divisional Royal Army Service Corps HQ

42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Divisional Ammunition Company, Royal Army Service Corps

42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Divisional Petrol Company, Royal Army Service Corps

42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Divisional Supply Column, Royal Army Service Corps

Commander Royal Army Medical Corps, 42nd Division

42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Divisional Royal Army Medical Corps HQ

125th (East Lancashire) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

126th (East Lancashire) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

127th (East Lancashire) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

20th Field Hygiene Section, Royal Army Medical Corps

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division

Main article: 44th (Home Counties) Division

Major-General Edmund Osborne

Division-level units

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division Headquarters and Employment Platoon

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Divisional Field Cash Office, Royal Army Pay Corps

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals

8th Battalion, The Duke of Cambridge's Own Middlesex Regiment

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Divisional Field Post Office, Royal Engineers

11th Mobile Bath Unit, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Divisional Provost Company, Corps of Military Police

131st Infantry Brigade

131st Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

2nd Battalion, The Royal East Kent Regiment (Buffs)

5th Battalion, The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment

6th (Bermondsey) Battalion, The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment

131st Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

132nd Infantry Brigade

132nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

1st Battalion, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment

4th Battalion, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment

5th Battalion, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment

132nd Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

133rd Infantry Brigade

133rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters and Signals Section, Royal Signals

2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

133rd Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

Commander Royal Artillery, 44th Division

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Divisional Royal Artillery HQ

57th (Home Counties) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

58th (Sussex) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

65th (8th London) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

57th (East Surrey) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

Commander Royal Engineers, 44th Division

44th (Home Counties) Divisional Engineers HQ

11th Field Company, Royal Engineers

209th (Sussex) Field Company, Royal Engineers

210th (Sussex) Field Company, Royal Engineers

211th (Sussex) Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

Commander Royal Army Service Corps, 44th Division

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Divisional Royal Army Service Corps HQ

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Divisional Ammunition Company, Royal Army Service Corps

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Divisional Petrol Company, Royal Army Service Corps

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Divisional Supply Column, Royal Army Service Corps

Commander Royal Army Medical Corps, 44th Division

44th (Home Counties) Infantry Divisional Royal Army Medical Corps HQ

131st (Home Counties) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

132nd (Home Counties) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

133rd (Home Counties) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps

14th Field Hygiene Section, Royal Army Medical Corps

Saar Force

Major-General Victor Fortune

On 10 May 1940, this force, which was really just the 51st Division reinforced by various small units, was part of the Colonial Army Corps of the French Third Army in front of the Maginot Line.

Units attached to the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division in April 1940 to form Saar Force

Lothians and Border Horse

7th Battalion The Northumberland Fusiliers (Machine-Guns)

1st Battalion Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment (Machine-Guns)

7th Battalion The Royal Norfolk Regiment (Pioneers)

6th Battalion The Royal Scots Fusiliers (Pioneers)

Sound Ranging and Survey Troop - detached from 3rd Survey Regiment RA

1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (Field)

51st (Midland) Medium Regiment Royal Artillery

385/97 Army Field Battery Royal Artillery

213th (North Midland) Army Field Company Royal Engineers

Topographic Section from 19th Army Field Survey Company Royal Engineers

22nd Animal Transportation Company Royal Indian Army Service Corps

Sub-Division from III Corps Ammunition Park Royal Army Service Corps

F Section from III Corps Petrol Park Royal Army Service Corps

10th Army Field Workshop Royal Army Ordnance Corps

10th Salvage Unit

51st (Highland) Infantry Division

Main article: 51st (Highland) Division

Major-General V. M. Fortune

Division-level units

51st (Highland) Infantry Divisional Signals Royal Signals

51st Postal Unit Royal Engineers

8th Mobile Bath Unit Royal Army Medical Corps

51st Provost Company Royal Military Police

152nd Infantry Brigade

2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders

4th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders

4th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

152nd Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

153rd Infantry Brigade

4th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)

1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders

5th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders

153rd Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

154th Infantry Brigade

1st Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)

7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

8th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

154th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company

Commander Royal Artillery

17th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

23rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

75th (Highland) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

10th Army Field Workshop WO 167/1210

51st (West Highland) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

Commander Royal Engineers

26th Field Company, Royal Engineers

236th (City of Aberdeen, Highland) Field Company, Royal Engineers

237th (City of Dundee, Highland) Field Company, Royal Engineers

239th (Highland) Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

Formations undergoing training and performing labour duties

12th (Eastern) Infantry Division

Main article: 12th (Eastern) Infantry Division

Major-General R. L. Petre

35th Infantry Brigade

2/5th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

2/6th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

2/7th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)

36th Infantry Brigade

5th Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

6th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment

7th Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment

37th Infantry Brigade

2/6th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment

6th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment

Commander Royal Engineers

262nd Field Company, Royal Engineers

263rd Field Company, Royal Engineers

264th Field Company, Royal Engineers

265th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

23rd (Northumbrian) Division

Main article: 23rd (Northumbrian) Division

Major-General W. N. Herbert

Divisional Troops

8th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (Motorcycle Battalion)

9th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (Machine Gun Battalion)

69th Infantry Brigade

5th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment

6th Battalion, Green Howards

7th Battalion, Green Howards

70th Infantry Brigade

10th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

11th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

1st Battalion, Tyneside Scottish

Commander Royal Engineers

233rd Field Company, Royal Engineers

507th Field Company, Royal Engineers

508th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

46th Infantry Division

Main article: 46th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)

Major-General H. O. Curtis

137th Infantry Brigade

2/5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment

2/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment

2/7th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment

138th Infantry Brigade

6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment

2/4th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment

139th Infantry Brigade

2/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment

2/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters

9th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters

Commander Royal Engineers

270th Field Company, Royal Engineers

271st Field Company, Royal Engineers

272nd Field Company, Royal Engineers

273rd Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

HQ Lines of Communication British Expeditionary Force

Major-General Philip de Fonblanque

104th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers

106th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers

110th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers

212th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers

218th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers

4th Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

14th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers

12th (Garrison) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

4th Battalion, Border Regiment

1/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters

3rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade

Main article: 3rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)

2nd Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

8th (Belfast) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

4th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery

Units arriving in France after 10 May 1940

1st Armoured Division

Main article: 1st Armoured Division (United Kingdom)

Major-General R. Evans

2nd Armoured Brigade

2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)

9th Queen's Royal Lancers

10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales's Own)

3rd Armoured Brigade

2nd (Battalion) Royal Tank Regiment

5th (Battalion) Royal Tank Regiment

30th Infantry Brigade

3rd (Battalion) Royal Tank Regiment

2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps

1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own)

1st Battalion, Queen Victoria's Rifles (7th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps) (Motorcycle Battalion)

20th Guards Brigade Group

2nd Battalion, Irish Guards

2nd Battalion, Welsh Guards

20th Guards Brigade Anti-Tank Company

1st Support Group

101st Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

Air Component

Air Vice-Marshal Charles Blount (Data from Jackson 1974 unless indicated.)

85 Squadron: Hurricane (fighter)

87 Squadron: Hurricane (fighter)

607 Squadron: Gladiator (fighter, converting to Hurricane May 1940)

615 Squadron: Gladiator (fighter, converting to Hurricane May 1940)

3 Squadron: Hurricane (fighter; reinforcement, May 1940)

79 Squadron: Hurricane (fighter; reinforcement, May 1940)

504 Squadron: Hurricane (fighter; reinforcement, May 1940)

From 22 (Army Co-operation) Group

81 Squadron: Blenheim I (strategic reconnaissance)

57 Squadron: Blenheim I (strategic reconnaissance)

53 Squadron: Blenheim IV (bomber)

59 Squadron: Blenheim IV (bomber)

2 Squadron: Lysander (army co-operation)

4 Squadron: Lysander (army co-operation)

13 Squadron: Lysander (army co-operation)

16 Squadron: Lysander (army co-operation)

26 Squadron: Lysander (army co-operation)

Second Expeditionary Force

The following force was sent to France during the second week of June 1940 in an unsuccessful attempt to form a second British Expeditionary Force. This second formation was to be commanded by Lieutenant-General A. F. Brooke. All units were evacuated in late June 1940, during Operation Aerial.

1st Canadian Infantry Brigade (from 1st Canadian Infantry Division)

Royal Canadian Regiment

Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment

48th Highlanders of Canada

1st Field Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery

52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division

Main article: 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division

Major-General J. S. Drew

155th Infantry Brigade

7th/9th (Highlanders) Battalion, Royal Scots

4th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers

5th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers

156th Infantry Brigade

4th/5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers

6th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

7th Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

157th Infantry Brigade

1st Battalion, Glasgow Highlanders

5th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry

6th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry

Commander Royal Artillery

70th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

71st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

78th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

54th (Queen's Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery

Commander Royal Engineers

202nd Field Company, Royal Engineers

241st Field Company, Royal Engineers

554th Field Company, Royal Engineers

243rd Field Park Company, Royal Engineers

See also

World War II portal

Order of battle for the Battle of France

List of British Empire divisions in the Second World War

Notes

1 2 3 4 5 Attached from I Corps.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Attached from G.H.Q. Troops.↑ Attached from II Corps Troops1 2 3 Although this division participated in the Battle of France, it was not adequately prepared for battle by May 1940. The division only had a skeleton headquarters staff, no organic artillery formations and few support units. Only a third of the infantry had received minimal training. The battalions lacked a carrier platoon and their full complement of heavy weapons.↑ The 1st Armoured Division arrived in France between 15–21 May. The division fought south of the Somme River and never linked up with the main body of the Expeditionary Force.↑ Detached from 1st Armoured Division on 21 May 1940 and dispatched to defend Calais. ↑ Detached from 3rd Armoured Brigade and attached to the 30th Infantry Brigade. The regiment was sent to defend Calais on 21 May 1940.↑ The QVR was sent, without their vehicles, to defend Calais on 21 May 1940 and attached to the 30th Infantry Brigade.↑ The 20th (Guards) Infantry Brigade was dispatched from the United Kingdom to defend Boulogne on 21 May 1940.

Footnotes

↑ Lieutenant-General Sydney Rigby Wason after 26 May 1940 [Grehan 2018, Chapter 4]↑ Attached from III Corps↑ Lieutenant-General Sydney Rigby Wason after 26 May 1940 [Grehan 2018, Chapter 4]↑ "From Percy Main to Sumatra via F". Archived from the original on 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2020-06-01.↑ Ellis 2004, p. 21.↑ "HQ Lines of Communication British Expeditionary Force". Orders of Battle Military Unit Database. Archived from the original on 2012-05-16.1 2 Glover, Michael (1985). The Fight for the Channel ports: Calais to Brest 1940, a Study in Confusion. London: L. Cooper. ISBN 978-0-43618-210-5.↑ Ellis 2004, p. 154.1 2 3 4 Baughen 2016, p. 52.↑ Jackson 1974, p. 136.

References

Baughen, G. (2016). The RAF in the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain: A Reappraisal of Army and Air Policy 1938–1940. Stroud: Fonthill Media. ISBN 978-1-78155-525-5.

Ellis, Major L. F. (2004) [1953]. Butler, J. R. M. (ed.). The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940. History of the Second World War United Kingdom Military Series (repr. Naval & Military Press, Uckfield ed.). HMSO. ISBN 978-1-84574-056-6. Retrieved 21 October 2016.

Jackson, R. (1974). Air War over France 1939–40 (1st ed.). London: Ian Allan. ISBN 978-0-7110-0510-5.

External links

"Documents – France & Norway 1940". British Military History. Retrieved 2019-10-27.

"British Expeditionary Force, May 1940". niehorster.org. Retrieved 2019-10-26.

"British Infantry Brigades, 1st thru 215th - 1939-1945" (PDF). web.archive.org. 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2019-10-29. :

