History of the 21st Army Group and BAOR
May 1945 to February 1949
May 45 to April 1946
21st Army Group – HQ Kurpark Bad Oeynhausen renamed HQ BAOR Aug 45
Commanders in Chief: Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery KG GCB DSO to Mar 46 then Lieutenant General Sir Richard McCreery GCB KBE DSO MC
British Troops Berlin
General Officer Commanding: Major General Lewis Owen Lyne CB DSO to Aug 45 then Major General Eric Paytherus Nares
306th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown to 51st (Highland) Infantry Division command 30th Corps District Jun 45
Brigade HQ from 55th Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA
Commander:
307th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown to Denmark May 45
Brigade HQ from 59th Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA
Commanders: Brigadier William Wigram ‘Toby’ Allison CBE then Brigadier LK Lockhart
308th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown from 1st Canadian Corps to 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division command 1st Corps District Jun 45
Commander: Lieutenant Colonel JD Ferguson
T (Target) Force – HQ Bad Oeynhausen
Commander: Lieutenant Colonel GD Wreford-Brown
Jun 45 – 7th Armoured Division from 12th Corps – HQ Albersdorf north of Itzehoe to Borgard Barracks Itzehoe Jun 45 to Lancaster House Fehrbelliner Platz Wilmersdorf Berlin Jul 45 to Borgard Barracks Itzehoe Sep 45 to Hamburg area command to 1st Corps District Mar 46
General Officers Commanding: Major-General Lewis Owen Lyne CB DSO to Feb 46 then Major-General George ‘Pip’ Philip Bradley Roberts MC DSO
121st Infantry Brigade formed with units from 22nd Armoured Brigade and 131st Infantry Brigade for
Berlin – HQ Lancaster House Fehrbelliner Platz Wilmersdorf replaced by 131st Infantry Brigade Oct 45
22nd Armoured Brigade – HQ Gluckstadt north of Hamburg
Commander: Brigadier Anthony DR Wingfield
131st Infantry Brigade – HQ Kellingshausen east of Itzehoe to Bargetheide north east of Hamburg to Lancaster House Fehrbelliner Platz Wilmersdorf Berlin Oct 45 returns Apr 46
Commanders: Brigadier JMK Spurling then Lieutenant Colonel J Freeland then Brigadier JMK Spurling then Brigadier DS Gordon DSO Nov 45
Oct 45 – 31st Infantry Brigade – HQ Bargetheide north east of Hamburg disbanded Mar 46
Commander:
79th Armoured Division – HQ Melbeck-Tedendorf south of Lüneburg to Wendisch Evern south east of Lüneburg disbanded Jul 45
General Officer Commanding: Major General Sir Percy Cleghorn Stanley Hobart KBE OBE CB DSO
30th Armoured Brigade – HQ Bremen area to Buxtehude area to Pippensen south of Buxtehude Jun 45 to Hahnenklee Jun 45 to Kastorf Jul 45 to Gifhorn north of Braunschweig Jul 45 command to 30th Corps District Jul 45
Commanders: Lieutenant Colonel CJY Dallmeyer then Brigadier NW Duncan
31st Armoured Brigade – HQ Offensen west of Göttingen to Rotenburg to 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division command 1st Corps District Aug 45
Commander: Brigadier AW Brown DSO MC
33rd Armoured Brigade – HQ Lüneburg to 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division command 30th Corps District Aug 45
Commander: Brigadier AB Scott
1st Armoured Engineer Brigade – HQ Ochtrup north west of Münster to Holm Bucholz south of Hamburg disbanded Jul 45
Commander: Brigadier P St B Sydenham
HQ Lines of Communications British Liberation Army disbanded Aug 45
Commander:
115th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown command 15 Line of Communication disbanded Aug 45
Commander: Brigadier EL Luce
Jun 45 – 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division from 30th Corps – HQ Ghent Belgium command to 1st Corps District Jul 45
General Officer Commanding: Major General Edmund Hakewill-Smith CB CBE MC DSO
155th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier JFS McLaren DSO OBE
156th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier GD Renny DSO
157th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown to 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division Jul 45
Commander: Brigadier EHG Grant DSO MC
2nd Army – HQ Lüneburg disbanded Aug 45
Commander in Chief: General Sir Miles C Dempsey GBE KCB DSO MC
305th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown to 30th Corps May 45
Brigade HQ from 49th Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA
Commander: Brigadier RC Foot
12th Corps – HQ Hamburg-Altona to UK and disbanded Jun 45 responsibilities to 8th Corps District
General Officer Commanding: Lieutenant General Sir Neil Methuen Ritchie GBE KCB DSO MC
3rd Army Group Royal Artillery – HQ unknown to 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division of 1st Corps District May 45
Commander: Brigadier EC Blaker MC
8th Army Group Royal Artillery – HQ Lauenburg east of Hamburg to 8th Corps May 45
Commander:
106th Anti Aircraft Brigade RA – HQ Hamburg to 8th Corps Jun 45
Commander:
4th Armoured Brigade – HQ Bergedorf east of Hamburg to Halstendorf north of Lübeck to15th (Scottish) Infantry Division command 8th Corps District Jun 45
Commander: Brigadier RMP Carver CBE DSO MC
10 Garrison – HQ Vierjahreszeiten Hotel Central Hamburg to 8th Corps District Jun 45
Commander:
7th Armoured Division – HQ Albersdorf north of Itzehoe to 21st Army Group Jun 45
General Officer Commanding: Major-General Lewis Owen Lyne CB DSO
22nd Armoured Brigade – HQ Gluckstadt north west of Hamburg
Commander: Brigadier Anthony DR Wingfield
131st Infantry Brigade – HQ Kellingshausen east of Itzehoe
Commanders: Brigadier JMK Spurling then Lieutenant Colonel J Freeland
53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division – HQ Hotel Atlanta Central Hamburg to command 1st Corps District Jun 45
General Officer Commanding: Major General Robert K Ross then Brigadier GFC Coleman
71st Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier CL Firbank
158th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier JHO Wilsey
160th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commanders: Brigadier CFC Coleman to May 45 then Lieutenant Colonel HBD Crozier
2nd Canadian Corps – HQ Bad Zwischenahn west of Oldenburg to Holland Jun 45 disbanded July 45
General Officer Commanding: Lieutenant General GG Simonds
2nd Canadian Infantry Division – HQ Aurich west of Wilhelmshaven to 30th Corps District Jun 45
General Officer Commanding: Major General AB Matthews CBE DSO ED
3rd British Infantry Division – HQ Bremen to 1st Corps District May 45
General Officer Commanding: Major General Lashmer Gordon Whistler GCB KBE DSO
1st Polish Armoured Division – HQ Wilhelmshaven to 30th Corps District Jun 45
General Officer Commanding: Major General S Maczex
1st Corps/1st Corps District – HQ Rhede north of Duisburg to Aldershot Barracks Iserlohn formed 1st Corps District May 45
General Officers Commanding: Lieutenant General Sir John Tredinnick Crocker KBE CB DSO MC to Jun 45 then Lieutenant General Sir Sidney C Kirkman KBE CD MC to Sep 45 then Lieutenant General Gwilym Ivor Thomas KCB KBE DSO MC
9th Army Group Royal Artillery – HQ Bocholt north of Duisburg to 3rd Infantry Division May 45
Commander: Brigadier CHM Brunker DSO
34th Armoured Brigade – HQ Burgsteinfurth north west of Münster command to 3rd Infantry Division returns Jun 45 HQ 19 Sub Area from Jul 45 disbanded Dec 45
Commander: Brigadier WS Clarke
1st Polish Parachute Brigade from UK – HQ Bramsche north of Osnabrück to 1st Polish Armoured Division Jun 45
Commander: Colonel A Szczerbo-Rawicz
1st Belgium Infantry Brigade – HQ Oelde south west of Münster disbanded Dec 45
Commander: Colonel J Piron DSO
105th Reinforcement Group – HQ Bulow renamed Ripon Barracks Bielefeld
Commander: Colonel AW Valentine CBE DSO
3rd Infantry Division from 2nd Canadian Corps – HQ Osnabrück to Ghent Belgium Aug 45 then to UK
General Officer Commanding: Major General Lashmer Gordon Whistler GCB KBE DSO
9th Army Group Royal Artillery from 1st Corps District – HQ Bocholt north of Duisburg to 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division Jul 45
Commander: Brigadier CHM Brunker DSO
34th Armoured Brigade from 1st Corps – HQ Burgsteinfurth north west of Münster command to 1st Corps District Jun 45
Commander: Brigadier WS Clarke
8th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier Edward H Goulburn then Brigadier JN Rodney Moore
9th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier WFH Kempster
185th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier FRG Matthews then Brigadier RNHC Bray
1st Belgium Infantry Brigade – HQ Oelde south west of Münster to 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division Aug 45
Commander: Colonel J Piron DSO
49th (West Riding) Infantry Division from 1st Canadian Corps – HQ Neheim to Herdingen Castle south of Neheim Apr 46 disbanded Oct 46 replaced by the 2nd Belgium Infantry Division – HQ Lüdenscheid
General Officers Commanding: Major General Stuart B Rawlins CB CBE DSO to Aug 45 then Brigadier H Wood DSO then Major General ETL Gurdon CBE MC Sep 45
3rd Army Group Royal Artillery from 12th Corps – HQ Bochum disbanded Jul 46
Commanders: Brigadier EC Blaker MC to Mar 46 then Brigadier RW Andrews DSO MC
56th Infantry Brigade – HQ Soest disbanded Sep 46
Commanders: Brigadier RH Senior to Aug 45 then Brigadier KG Exham DSO
146th Infantry Brigade – HQ Werl to Münster Mar 46 disbanded Aug 46
Commanders: Brigadier DS Gordon DSO to Jul 45 then Lieutenant Colonel MB Jenkins to Aug 45 then Brigadier DS Gordon DSO
147th Infantry Brigade – HQ Hagen to Bad Lippspringe north east of Paderborn Apr 46 disbanded Oct 46
Commanders: Brigadier H Wood DSO to Jul 45 then Lieutenant Colonel DAD Eykyn to Aug 45 then
Lieutenant Colonel AL Novis then Brigadier H Wood DSO to Oct 45 then Brigadier EO Martin DSO to Mar 46 then Brigadier RC Cottrell-Hill DSO OBE MC
3rd Belgium Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander:
Jun 45 – 103rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA from 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division command 30th Corps District – HQ Stift Keppel School Allenbach near Siegen to Wittgenstein to Olpe north west of Siegen disbanded early 1946
Commander: Brigadier HR Harris TD to Jul 45 then Brigadier ADG Orr DSO
Jul 45 – 157th Infantry Brigade from 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division HQ command Lines of Communications British Liberation Army – HQ unknown returns Aug 45
Commander: Lieutenant Colonel RLC Rose
53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division from 12th Corps – HQ St David’s Barracks Hilden south east of Düsseldorf
General Officers Commanding: Brigadier GFC Coleman to Jun 45 then Major General Robert K Ross to Aug 45 then Brigadier GFC Coleman
71st Infantry Brigade – HQ Luttringhausen near Remscheid disbanded Mar 46
Commander: Brigadier CL Firbank
158th Infantry Brigade – HQ Mulheim
Commander: Brigadier GD Browne
160th Infantry Brigade – HQ Düsseldorf
Commander: Brigadier JHO Wilsey
Jun 45 – 308th Infantry Brigade from 1st Canadian Corps – HQ Mönchengladbach
Brigade HQ from 61st Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA
Commanders: Lieutenant Colonel JD Ferguson later Lieutenant Colonel CB Venn later Brigadier F Stephens
Aug 45 – 31st Armoured Brigade from 79th Armoured Division command 21st Army Group – HQ Neersen south west of Krefeld to 8th Corps District Jan 46
Commander: Brigadier AW Brown DSO MC
Jan 46 – 159th Infantry Brigade from 11th Armoured Division – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier JB Churcher
Jun 45 – Guards Division from 30th Corps – HQ Bad Godesburg south east of Bonn replaced by 1st Belgium Infantry Division to HMS Royal Alfred renamed Connaught Barracks Plön command to 30th Corps District Apr 46
General Officers Commanding: Major General Allan HS Adair to Nov 45 then Major General John OC Marriott CVO DSO MC
5th Guards Brigade – HQ Köln/Bonn area to Holtenau Barracks Kiel Mar 46
Commanders: Brigadier NW Gwatkin to Jul 45 then Brigadier EH Goulburn to Aug 45 then Brigadier CAM Vandeleur then Brigadier The Lord Tryon Sep 45
6th Guards Brigade from 8th Corps – HQ Erziesheim near Euskirchen south of Köln to Hamburg adjacent to Atlantic Hotel Alster Mar 46
Commander: Brigadier WDC Greenacre
32nd Guards Brigade – HQ Frankenforst Bergische Gladbach east of Köln to Moltke Platz Lubeck Mar 46
Commanders : Lieutenant Colonel JC Windsor-Lewis to Jul 45 then Brigadier John Ormsby Evelyn ‘Joe’ Vandeleur DSO
Jul 45 – 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division from HQ Lines of Communications British Liberation Army – HQ Warendorf east of Münster
General Officer Commanding: Major General Edmund Hakewill-Smith CB CBE MC DSO
9th Army Group Royal Artillery from 3rd Infantry Division command 1st Corps District – HQ Rhede north of Duisburg disbanded Jan 46
Commander: Brigadier CHM Brunker DSO
15th Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA – HQ unknown to 3rd Canadian Infantry Division CAOF Feb 46
Commander:
155th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier JFS McLaren DSO OBE then Lieutenant Colonel JG Dawson then Brigadier JFS McLaren
156th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier GD Renny DSO
157th Infantry Brigade from 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division – HQ unknown returns Aug 45
Commanders: Lieutenant Colonel RLC Rose
Aug 45 – 1st Belgium Infantry Brigade – HQ Oelde south west of Münster from 3rd Infantry Division disbanded Dec 45
Commander: Colonel J Piron DSO
Mar 46 – 1st Belgium Infantry Division – HQ Köln/Bonn area replacing Guards Division
General Officers Commanding: General Major J Piron DSO
8th Corps/8th Corps District – HQ Molfsee south west of Lübeck to Schloss Plön Jun 45 to Ruhleben Kaserne renamed Marine Barracks Plön south east of Kiel formed 8th Corps District Jun 45 disbanded Apr 46
General Officer Commanding: Lieutenant General Sir Evelyn H Barker KBE CB DSO MC to Mar 46 then Major General GW Richards CB DSO MC
8th Army Group Royal Artillery from 12th Corps – HQ Lauenburg to Gendarme Barracks Neumunster
Commander:
4th Armoured Brigade from 12th Corps – HQ Bergedorf east of Hamburg to Flensburg to Schleswig Rathaus (Town Hall) Jan 46 to Flensburg and command to Guards Division Mar 46
Commander: Brigadier RMP Carver CBE DSO MC
6th Guards Armoured Brigade from 18th Airborne Corps US Army – HQ Lübeck later Ruhleben Kaserne Plön renamed 6th Guards Brigade to Guards Division command 1st Corps District Jun 45
Commander: Brigadier WDC Greenacre
Jun 45 – 8th Base Sub Area – HQ Hamburg
Commander:
Jun 45 – 106th Anti Aircraft Brigade RA from 12th Corps – HQ Hamburg
Commander:
Jul 45 – 22nd Armoured Brigade from 7th Armoured Division command 21st Army Group – HQ Gluckstadt north west of Hamburg to 7th Armoured Division Sep 45
Commander: Brigadier Anthony DR Wingfield
Jul 45 – 131st Infantry Brigade from 7th Armoured Division command 21st Army Group – HQ Kellingshausen east of Itzehoe to Berlin Oct 45
Commanders: Brigadier JMK Spurling then Lieutenant Colonel J Freeland then Brigadier JMK Spurling then Brigadier DS Gordon DSO Nov 45
Jan 46 – 31st Armoured Brigade from 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division command 1st Corps District – HQ Schleswig Rathaus (Town Hall) disbanded Apr 46
Commander: Brigadier AW Brown DSO MC
11th Armoured Division – HQ Schloss Louisenlund east of Schleswig disbanded Feb 46
General Officer Commanding: Major-General George ‘Pip’ Philip Bradley Roberts MC DSO
29th Armoured Brigade – HQ Schleswig Rathaus (Town Hall) disbanded Jan 46
Commander: Brigadier CBC ‘Roscoe’ Harvey
117th Infantry Brigade Royal Marines – HQ Kiel to UK Jul 45
Commander:
159th Infantry Brigade – HQ Quantock Barracks Flensburg to 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division command 1st Corps District Jan 46
Commander: Brigadier JB Churcher
15th (Scottish) Infantry Division – HQ Hammoor to Schwerin to Schloss Ahrensburg May 45 north east of Hamburg disbanded Apr 46
General Officer Commanding: Major General CM Barber CB DSO
80th Anti Aircraft Brigade RA – HQ Malente south east of Kiel
Commander:
109th Anti Aircraft Brigade RA – HQ unknown
Commander:
1st Commando Brigade – HQ Lübeck to Neustadt north of Lübeck to Oldenburg north of Neustadt to UK Jun 45
Commander:
44th (Lowland) Infantry Brigade – HQ Bargetheide north east of Hamburg to Ludwigslust Jun 45 to Molln to Bad Segeburg north west of Lübeck Jul 45 to Bad Bramstedt south of Neumünster disbanded Apr 46
Commanders: Brigadier Cumming-Bruce DSO later Brigadier JC Cockburn
46th (Highland) Infantry Brigade – HQ Trittau north east of Hamburg to Wismar east of Lübeck Jun 45 to Kreis Storman Jul 45 to Kiel disbanded Apr 46
Commander: Brigadier RM Villiers
227th (Highland) Infantry Brigade – HQ Ahrensburg north east of Hamburg to Lübeck Jun 45 to Guards Division command 30th Corps District Mar 46
Commander: Brigadier EC Colville
Jun 45 – 4th Armoured Brigade from 12th Corps – HQ Plön to Flensburg to Schleswig Rathaus (Town Hall) Jan 46 to Flensburg and command to Guards Division Mar 46
Commander: Brigadier RMP Carver CBE DSO MC
Jun 45 – 306th Infantry Brigade from 21st Army Group – HQ unknown
Brigade HQ from 55th Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA
Commander: Brigadier WR Harvey
6th Airborne Division from 18th Airborne Corps US Army to 8th Corps area – HQ Wismar to Lüneburg Airfield to UK May 45 replaced by 5th Infantry Division
General Officer Commanding: Major General Eric L Bols CB DSO
3rd Parachute Brigade – HQ Wismar
Commander: Brigadier James SJL Hill DSO MC
5th Parachute Brigade – HQ Rosenthal
Commander: Brigadier NC Poett DSO
6th Air Landing Brigade – HQ Bad Kleinen south of Wismar
Commander: Brigadier R Hugh Bellamy
5th Infantry Division from 18th Airborne Corps US Army – HQ Lübeck to Wismar May 45 to 30th Corps District Jun 45
General Officer Commanding: Major General Richard Amyatt Hull CB DSO
13th Infantry Brigade – HQ Lübeck to Wismar May 45
Commander: Brigadier William H Lambert
15th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown to Rosenthal May 45
Commander: Brigadier Christopher Huxley
17th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown to Kletzin May 45
Commander: Brigadier Cecil B Fairbanks
30th Corps/30th Corps District – HQ Bremen to Eystrop south of Verden later Neinburg later Lüneburg General Officer Commanding: Lieutenant General BG Horrocks KBE CB DSO MC to Feb 46 then Lieutenant-General Sir Alexander Galloway KBE CB DSO MC
5th Army Group Royal Artillery – HQ Selsingen north east of Bremen to Braunschweig Jun 45 command to 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division Jun 45
8th Armoured Brigade – HQ Rhederstedt near Bremen to Hannover Jun 45 disbanded Mar 46
Commander: Brigadier GE Prior-Palmer
4th Commando Brigade Royal Marines – HQ Buxtehude to UK Jun 45
Commander:
116th Infantry Brigade Royal Marines – HQ Wilhelmshaven to UK Jun 45
Commander:
305th Infantry Brigade from 2nd Army – HQ Dissen near Osnabrück to 3rd Canadian Infantry Division CAOF Jul 45
Commander: Brigadier RC Foot
Jun 45 – 75th Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA – HQ Osnabrück area
Commander:
Jun 45 – 107th Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA – HQ Bad Bentheim west of Onsabrück disbanded Sep 46
Commander:
Jul 45 – 30th Armoured Brigade from 79th Armoured Division – HQ Gifhorn north of Braunschweig disbanded Oct 45
Guards Armoured Division/Guards Division – HQ Fischhafen (Fish Docks) Cuxhaven to Reide west of Verden converted to infantry Rotenburg Airfield and renamed Guards Division command to 1st Corps District Jun 45
General Officer Commanding: Major General Allan HS Adair
5th Guards Armoured Brigade – HQ Cuxhaven area renamed 5th Guards Armoured Brigade
Commander: Brigadier NW Gwatkin
32nd Infantry Brigade (Guards) – HQ Cuxhaven area renamed 32nd Guards Brigade
Commander : Lieutenant Colonel JC Windsor-Lewis
43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division – HQ Bremen area to Celle
General Officer Commanding: Major General G Ivor Thomas then Major General George WEJ Erskine GCB KBE DSO then Major General George W Symes CB MC
Jun 45 – 5th Army Group Royal Artillery from 30th Corps District – HQ Dannenburg south east of Lüneburg disbanded Apr 46
Commander: Brigadier GE Prior-Palmer
103rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade – HQ Fallingbostel to 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division command 1st Corps District Jun 45
Commander: Brigadier HR Harris TD
129th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier GHL Mole
130th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown to Berlin Apr 46
Commander: Brigadier BB (Joe) Walton
214th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier H Essame
Jun 45 – 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade – HQ Hamburg-Harburg
Commander:
Aug 45 – 33rd Armoured Brigade from 79th Armoured Division command 21st Army Group – HQ Lüneburg disbanded Aug 45
Commander: Brigadier AB Scott
51st (Highland) Infantry Division – HQ Schiffdorf east of Bremerhaven to Syke
General Officers Commanding: Major General Gordon HA MacMillan to May 45 then Major General A James H Cassels CB DSO
152nd Infantry Brigade – HQ Bremerhaven area later Shiel Barracks Verden
Commander:
153rd Infantry Brigade – HQ Bremerhaven later Neinburg area
Commander:
154th Infantry Brigade – HQ Bremerhaven later Cuxhaven area
Commander:
Jun 45 – 50th Anti-Aircraft Brigade from 5th Infantry Division – HQ Hinzel Forest Camp Bremervorde east of Bremerhaven disbanded Apr 46
Commander:
Jun 45 – 306th Infantry Brigade from 21st Army Group – HQ unknown disbandment unknown
Brigade HQ from 55th Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA
Commander: Brigadier WR Harvey
52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division – HQ Bremen to Stendal north of Magdeburg to 21st Army Group Jun 45
General Officer Commanding: Major General Edmund Hakewill-Smith CB CBE MC DSO
155th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier JFS McLaren DSO OBE
156th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier GD Renny DSO
157th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier EHG Grant DSO MC
2nd Canadian Infantry Division from 2nd Canadian Corps – HQ Oldenburg to Aurich west of Wilhelmshaven May 45 to Bad Zwischenahn west of Oldenburg Jun 45 to Holland and disbanded Jul 45
General Officer Commanding: Major General AB Matthews CBE DSO ED
4th Canadian Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier FN Cabeldu
5th Canadian Infantry Brigade – HQ Jever west of Wilhelmshaven late May to Jul 45
Commander: Brigadier WJ Megill
6th Canadian Infantry Brigade – HQ Aurich west of Wilhelmshaven late May to Jul 45
Commander: Brigadier JV Allard
British Units under command to 3rd Canadian Infantry Division CAOF Jul 45
4th Army Group Royal Artillery – HQ Oldenburg
Commander:
31st Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA – HQ Wilhelmshaven
Commander:
301st Infantry Brigade – HQ Emden area
Commander: Brigadier J Vicary
Jun 45 – 5th Infantry Division from 8th Corps – HQ Yorkshire Barracks Braunschweig
General Officer Commanding: Major General Richard Amyatt Hull DSO CB
50th Anti-Aircraft Brigade – HQ unknown to 51st (Highland) Infantry Division Jun 45
Commander:
105th Anti-Aircraft Brigade – HQ Hildesheim
Commander:
13th Infantry Brigade – HQ Stendal north of Magdeburg Jun 45 to Goslar Jul 45
Commanders: Brigadier WH Lambert later Lieutenant Colonel EA Hefford later Brigadier RWM de Winton
15th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commanders: Brigadier Christopher Huxley later Brigadier DR Morgan
17th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commanders: Brigadier Cecil B Fairbanks later Lieutenant Colonel JL Maxwell later Brigadier Cecil B Fairbanks
Jun 45 – 1st Polish Armoured Division 2nd Canadian Corps – HQ Meppen north west of Osnabrück to 1st Corps District Apr 46
General Officer Commanding: Major General S Maczex
10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade – HQ Loningen east of Meppen
Commander:
3rd Polish Infantry Brigade – HQ Lathern north of Meppen
Commander:
1st Polish Parachute Brigade from 1st Corps District – HQ Bramsche north of Osnabrück
Commander: Colonel A Szczerbo-Rawicz
Jul 45 – 3rd Canadian Infantry Division CAOF formed in Holland Jun 45 replaced 2nd Canadian Infantry Division – HQ Bad Zwischenahn west of Oldenburg replaced by 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division May 46 disbanded Jun 46
General Officer Commanding: Major General Christopher Vokes CB CBE DSO
2nd/7th (Rifles) Infantry Brigade – HQ Maple Leaf Barracks Aurich west of Wilhelmshaven
Commander: Brigadier TG Gibson DSO
2nd/8th Infantry Brigade – HQ Sengwarden Kaserne Wilhemshaven
Commander: Brigadier MP Bogert DSO MBE
2th/9th (Highland) Infantry Brigade – HQ Obenstrohe south of Varel south of Wilhelmshaven
Commander: Brigadier WJ Mogill DSO
British Units under command
4th Army Group Royal Artillery – HQ Oldenburg
Commander:
31st Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA – HQ Wilhelmshaven disbanded Mar 46
Commander:
301st Infantry Brigade – HQ Emden area disbanded Oct 45
Commander: Brigadier J Vicary
Oct 45 – 305th Infantry Brigade from 30th Corps District – HQ Emden disbanded Jan 46
Commander: Brigadier RC Foot
Mar 46 – 15th Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA from 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division – HQ Wilhelmshaven
Commander:
from April 1946 to June 1947
HQ BAOR – Kurpark Bad Oeynhausen
Commander in Chief: Lieutenant General Sir Richard McCreery GCB KBE DSO MC later General Brian Hubert Robertson GCB GBE KCMG KCVO DSO MC
British Troops Berlin – HQ Lancaster House Fehrbelliner Platz Wilmersdorf
General Officer Commanding: Major General Eric P Nares to May 47 then Major-General E. Otway Herbert
130th Infantry Brigade from 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division to 5th Infantry Division Jun 46
Commander:
Jun 46 – 5th Guards Brigade from Guards Division return date unknown
Commander: Brigadier The Lord Tryon
Mar 47 – Headquarters Norwegian Army Command Germany – HQ Oerlinghausen south of Bielefeld
General Officer Commanding:
471st Norwegian Tyskland Brigade command 5th Infantry Division – HQ Northeim north of Göttingen
Commander:
1st Corps District – HQ Aldershot Barracks Iserlohn disbanded Jun 47
General Officer Commanding: Lieutenant General Gwilym Ivor Thomas KCB KBE DSO MC
7th Armoured Division from 21st Army Group – HQ Hamburg to Shiel Barracks Verden Aug 46
General Officer Commanding: Major-General George ‘Pip’ Philip Bradley Roberts MC DSO
22nd Armoured Brigade – HQ Warendorf east of Münster renamed 7th Armoured Brigade Jan 47
Commander: Brigadier Anthony DR Wingfield
131st Infantry Brigade – HQ Melle east of Osnabrück renamed 31st Infantry Brigade Jan 47
Commander: Brigadier DS Gordon DSO
49th (West Riding) Infantry Division – HQ Herdingen Castle south of Neheim disbanded Oct 46 replaced by 2nd Belgian Infantry Division – HQ Lüdenscheid
General Officers Commanding: Major General ETL Gurdon CBE MC
3rd Army Group Royal Artillery – HQ Bochum disbanded Jul 46
Commanders: Brigadier RW Andrews DSO MC
49th Artillery Brigade – HQ Dortmund disbanded Jul 46
Commander: Brigadier KF MacKay Lewis DSO MC
RSM: WOI W Knight
56th Infantry Brigade – HQ Soest disbanded Sep 46
Commanders: Brigadier KG Exham DSO to Jun 46 then Brigadier GD Browne
146th Infantry Brigade – HQ Münster Mar 46 to Dortmund Jul 46 disbanded Aug 46
Commanders: Brigadier RA Bramwell-Davis DSO to Jul 46 then Brigadier WR Cox DSO
147th Infantry Brigade – HQ Bad Lippspringe north east of Paderborn disbanded Oct 46
Commanders: Brigadier RC Cottrell-Hill DSO OBE MC
157th Infantry Brigade from 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division – HQ unknown to 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division Aug 46
Commander: Lieutenant Colonel RLC Rose
3rd Belgium Army Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander:
52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division – HQ Warendorf east of Münster to Crerar Barracks Oldenburg May 46 to Bad Zwischenahn west of Oldenburg disbanded Aug 46 replaced by 7th Armoured Division
General Officers Commanding: Brigadier GFC Coleman to mid 46 then Major General Philip M Balfour CBE MC
155th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown to Dissen near Osnabrück May 46 disbanded Jul 46
Commander: Brigadier JFS McLaren DSO OBE
156th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown to Aurich west of Wilhelmshaven May 46 disbanded Aug 46
Commander: Brigadier GD Renny DSO
157th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown to Barkhausen east of Onsbrück May 46 to 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division Aug 46
Commanders: Brigadier EHG Grant DSO MC then Lieutenant Colonel RLC Rose DSO MC
Jun 46 – 15th Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA from 3rd Canadian Infantry Division CAOF – HQ Wilhelmshaven disbanded Aug 46
Commander:
53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division – HQ St David’s Barracks Hilden south east of Düsseldorf also known as X Division from Jul 46 formed 2nd Infantry Division Feb 47
General Officers Commanding: Brigadier GFC Coleman to mid 46 then Major General PM Balfour
53rd Artillery Brigade formed 2nd Infantry Division HQRA Feb 47
Commander:
153rd Infantry Brigade from 51st (Highland) Infantry Division – HQ unknown formed 6th Infantry Brigade Feb 47
Commander:
158th Infantry Brigade – HQ Mulheim north east of Düsseldorf disbanded Jul 46
Commander: Brigadier GD Browne
159th Infantry Brigade from 11th Armoured Division – HQ unknown disbanded Jul 46
Commander: Brigadier JB Churcher
160th Infantry Brigade – HQ Llanelly Barracks Hubblerath east of Düsseldorf formed 4th Infantry Brigade Feb 47
Commander: Brigadier CFC Coleman
308th Infantry Brigade – HQ Mönchengladbach
Brigade HQ from 61st Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA
Commanders: Lieutenant Colonel CB Venn later Brigadier F Stephens
Aug 46 – 157th Infantry Brigade from 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division – HQ Krefeld formed 5th Infantry Brigade Feb 47
Commander: Lieutenant Colonel RLC Rose
1st Polish Armoured Division from 30th Corps District – HQ Meppen north west of Osnabrück to Bramsche north of Osnabrück disbanded May 47
General Officer Commanding: Major General S Maczex
10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade – HQ Loningen east of Meppen
Commander:
3rd Polish Infantry Brigade – HQ Lathern north of Meppen
Commander:
1st Polish Parachute Brigade from 1st Corps District – HQ Bramsche north of Osnabrück
Commander: Colonel A Szczerbo-Rawicz
1st Belgium Infantry Division – HQ Köln/Bonn area
General Officer Commanding: General Major J Piron DSO
Sep 46 – 2nd Belgian Infantry Division – HQ Lüdenscheid
General Officer Commanding: Lieutant General A Van Sprang
Sep 46 – 5th Infantry Division from 30th Corps District – HQ Yorkshire Barracks Braunschweig
General Officers Commanding: Major General Richard Amyatt Hull DSO CB then Major General Philip GS Gregson-Ellis
15th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commanders: Brigadier C Huxley later Brigadier DR Morgan
17th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier Cecil B Fairbanks
Mar 47 – Norwegian Tyskland Brigade – HQ Goslar south east of Hildesheim Commander:
May 47 – Danish Den Danske Kommando – HQ Jever west of Wilhelmshaven
Commander:
May 47 – 13th Infantry Brigade from Italy – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier RWM de Winton
Feb 47 – 2nd Infantry Division formed from the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division – HQ St David’s Barracks Hilden
General Officer Commanding: Major General PM Balfour
4th Infantry Brigade formed from 160th Infantry Brigade – HQ Llanelly Barracks Hubblerath east of Düsseldorf
Commander:
5th Infantry Brigade formed from 157th Infantry Brigade – HQ Napier Barracks Dortmund
Commanders: Brigadier SN Shoosmith DSO OBE then Brigadier H Long OBE MC
6th Infantry Brigade formed from 153rd Infantry Brigade – HQ York Barracks Münster
Commander:
30th Corps District – HQ Lüneburg disbanded Sep 46
General Officer Commanding: Lieutenant-General Sir Alexander Galloway KBE CB DSO MC
Guards Division – HQ HMS Royal Alfred renamed Connaught Barracks Plön disbanded Apr 47 replaced by Schleswig-Holstein Sub Area Hamburg District
General Officers Commanding: Major General John CO Marriott CVO DSO MC
5th Guards Brigade – HQ Holtenau Barracks Kiel Feb 46 to Berlin Jun 46 disbanded Dec 46
Commander: Brigadier The Lord Tryon
6th Guards Brigade from 8th Corps – HQ Hamburg adjacent to Atlantic Hotel Alster Mar 46 disbanded Dec 46
Commander: Brigadier WDC Greenacre
32nd Guards Brigade – HQ Moltke Platz Lubeck Mar 46 disbanded Dec 46
Commanders: Brigadier John Ormsby Evelyn ‘Joe’ Vandeleur DSO
4th Armoured Brigade – HQ Flensburg to Rotenburg to Hamburg District Apr 47
Commander: Brigadier RMP Carver CBE DSO MC
227th (Highland) Infantry Brigade from 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division – HQ Lübeck disbanded Apr 46
Commander: Brigadier EC Colville
May 46 – 4th Army Group Royal Artillery from 3rd Canadian Infantry Division CAOF – HQ unknown forming HQRA Hamburg District Apr 47
Commander:
5th Infantry Division – HQ Yorkshire Barracks Braunschweig to 1st Corps District Sep 46
General Officer Commanding: Major General Richard Amyatt Hull DSO CB
13th Infantry Brigade – HQ Goslar south east of Hildesheim to Italy Aug 46
Commander: Brigadier RWM de Winton
15th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commanders: Brigadier C Huxley later Brigadier DR Morgan
17th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commanders: Brigadier Cecil B Fairbanks later Lieutenant Colonel JL Maxwell later Brigadier Cecil B Fairbanks
Jul 46 – 130th Infantry Brigade from Berlin – HQ unknown renamed 30th Infantry Brigade Jan 47
43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division – HQ Celle disbanded Aug 46
General Officer Commanding: Major General George W Symes CB MC
129th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown disbanded by Aug 46
Commander: Brigadier GHL Mole
214th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown disbanded by Aug 46
Commander: Brigadier H Essame
51st (Highland) Infantry Division – HQ Syke disbanded Aug 46
General Officers Commanding: Major General A James H Cassels CB DSO
152nd Infantry Brigade – HQ Shiel Barracks Verden disbanded Aug 46
Commander:
153rd Infantry Brigade – HQ Neinburg area to 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division command 1st Corps District Jun 46
Commander:
154th Infantry Brigade – HQ Cuxhaven area disbanded Jun 46
Commander:
3rd Canadian Infantry Division CAOF – HQ Bad Zwischenahn west of Oldenburg replaced by 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division May 46 disbanded Jun 46 General Officer Commanding: Major General Christopher Vokes CB CBE DSO
2nd/7th (Rifles) Infantry Brigade – HQ Maple Leaf Barracks Aurich west of Wilhelmshaven
Commander: Brigadier TG Gibson DSO
2nd/8th Infantry Brigade – HQ Sengwarden Kaserne Wilhemshaven
Commander: Brigadier MP Bogert DSO MBE
2th/9th (Highland) Infantry Brigade – HQ Obenstrohe south of Varel south of Wilhelmshaven
Commander: Brigadier WJ Mogill DSO
British Units under command
4th Army Group Royal Artillery – HQ Oldenburg to Hamburg District Jun 46
Commander:
15th Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA from 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division – HQ Wilhelmshaven to 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division Jun 46
Commander:
Hamburg District formed from HQ 10 Garrison and HQ 8 Base Sub Area – HQ Standard House Neu Jungfernsteig later Blankenese Hamburg
General Officer Commanding: Major General GW Richards later Major General Anthony Gerald O’Carrol Scott
Jun 46 – GHQ 2nd Echelon from Brussels – Hamburg Commander:
Apr 47 – 4th Army Group Royal Artillery from Guards Division forms HQRA Hamburg District
Commander:
Apr 47 – Hamburg Sub Area formed from 6th Guards Brigade – HQ Blankenese Hamburg
Commander: Brigadier Edward Cunliffe Cooke-Collis DSO
Apr 47 – Schleswig-Holstein Sub Area formed from HQ Guards Division – HQ Connaught Barracks Plön south east of Keil
Commander:
Apr 47 – 4th Armoured Brigade from Guards Division – HQ Rotenburg
Commander: Brigadier RMP Carver CBE DSO MC
from June 1947 to February 1949
HQ BAOR – HQ Kurpark Bad Oeynhausen
Commander in Chief: Lieutenant General Sir Richard McCreery GCB KBE DSO MC to 1948 then Lieutenant General BG Horrocks KBE CB DSO MC to Apr 48 then Lieutenant General Sir Charles F Keightley
British Troops Berlin – HQ Lancaster House Fehrbelliner Platz Wilmersdorf
General Officer Commanding: Major General E Otway Herbert to Jan 49 then Major General Geoffrey K Bourne
Headquarters Norwegian Army Command Germany – HQ Oerlinghausen south of Bielefeld to Braunschweig Feb 48 to Neumünster Oct 48
General Officer Commanding:
471st – 472nd – 481st – 482th Norwegian Tyskland Brigade command 5th Infantry Division – HQ Northeim to Goslar Jan 48 to Hamburg District Oct 48
7th Armoured Division District – HQ Bad Rothenfelde south of Osnabrück disbanded Sep 47
7th Armoured Division – HQ Shiel Barracks Verden units to Hannover District Sep 47 but HQ remained until early 1948
General Officers Commanding: Major-General George ‘Pip’ Philip Bradley Roberts MC DSO
7th Armoured Brigade – HQ Warendorf east of Münster
Commander: Brigadier Anthony DR Wingfield
31st Infantry Brigade – HQ Melle east of Osnabrück
Commander: Brigadier DS Gordon DSO
2nd Infantry Division District – HQ St David’s Barracks Hilden south east of Düsseldorf
2nd Infantry Division – HQ St David’s Barracks Hilden south east of Düsseldorf
General Officer Commanding: Major General PM Balfour to end 48 then Major General CG Wooler CB MC
4th Infantry Brigade – HQ Llanelly Barracks Hubblerath renamed 4th Infantry Brigade Group Aug 47
Commander:
5th Infantry Brigade – HQ Napier Barracks Dortmund renamed 5th Infantry Brigade Group Aug 47 to Aldershot Barracks Iserlohn Sep 47
Commanders: Brigadier H Long OBE MC then Brigadier JHO Wilsey CBE OBE
6th Infantry Brigade – HQ York Barracks Münster renamed 6th Infantry Brigade Group Aug 47
Commander:
5th Infantry Division District – HQ Yorkshire Barracks Braunschweig disbanded Sep 47
5th Infantry Division – HQ Yorkshire Barracks Braunschweig disbanded Sep 47 units to Hannover District
General Officer Commanding: Major General Philip GS Gregson-Ellis
13th Infantry Brigade from Italy – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier RWM de Winton
15th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commanders: Brigadier C Huxley later Brigadier DR Morgan
17th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown
Commander: Brigadier Cecil B Fairbanks
30th Infantry Brigade – HQ unknown disbanded Aug 47
Commander:
471st – 472nd – 481st – 482th Norwegian Tyskland Brigade – HQ Northeim to Goslar Jan 48 to Hamburg District Oct 48
Commander:
Den Danske Brigade – Danish Brigade Group – HQ Cardigan Barracks Jever west of Wilhelmshaven
Commander: General Major Richard Allerup
Hamburg District – HQ Blankenese Hamburg
General Officer Commanding: Major General Anthony Gerald O’Carrol Scott
Hamburg Sub Area – HQ Blankenese Hamburg disbanded 1949
Commander: Brigadier Edward Cunliffe Cooke-Collis DSO
Schleswig-Holstein Sub Area – HQ Connaught Barracks Plön south east of Keil to Cavalry Barracks Schleswig Feb 48 disbanded Apr 48 replaced by 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade
Commander:
HQRA Hamburg District formed 4th Army Group Royal Artillery (Field) – HQ Blankenese Hamburg
Commander:
4th Armoured Brigade – HQ Rotenburg disbanded Jul 48
Commander: Brigadier RMP Carver CBE DSO MC
Feb 48 – 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade from UK – HQ Marine Barracks Schleswig with responsibilities of former HQ Schleswig Holstein Sub Area renamed 16th Parachute Brigade Jul 48 to Hannover District Sep 48
Commander: Brigadier RH Bellamy DSO
Oct 48 – 482nd – 491st Norwegian Tyskland Brigade from Hannover District replacing 16th Parachute Brigade – HQ Marine Barracks Schleswig
Sep 47 – Hannover District – HQ Sterling House Hannover
General Officer Commanding: Major-General George ‘Pip’ Philip Bradley Roberts MC DSO
7th Armoured Brigade from 7th Armoured Division – HQ Warendorf east of Münster to Bournemouth Barracks Soltau
Commander: Brigadier ADR Wingfield
13th Infantry Brigade from 5th Infantry Division – HQ Hannover disbanded Mar 48
Commander: Brigadier RWM de Winton
15th Infantry Brigade from 5th Infantry Division – HQ unknown disbanded Mar 48
Commander: Brigadier DR Morgan
17th Infantry Brigade from 5th Infantry Division – HQ Hannover disbanded Mar 48
Commander: Brigadier Cecil B Fairbanks
31st Infantry Brigade from 7th Armoured Division renamed 31st Lorried Infantry Brigade – HQ Melle east of Osnabrück to Goslar south east of Hildesheim replacing the Norwegian Tyskland Brigade Oct 48
Brigadier DS Gordon DSO
Norwegian Tyskland Brigade from 5th Infantry Division – HQ Goslar south east of Hildesheim to Hamburg District Oct 48
Commander:
Den Danske Brigade – Danish Brigade Group from 5th Infantry Division – HQ Cardigan Barracks Jever west of Wilhelmshaven
Commander: General Major Richard Allerup
Sep 48 – 16th Independent Parachute Brigade Group from Hamburg District – London Barracks Hannover
Commander: Brigadier WFH Kempster
More research to follow...updated 27 Dec 11...additions and amendments most welcome...steve@baor-locations.co.uk
Thanks to JPW for his continuing research
Information sources
Thanks go to the Polar Bear Association for "The Polar Bear News" a weekly newspaper for the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division published in Iserlohn from Oct 45 to Oct 46
British Army Units 1945 on - Orders of Battle - WW2Talk
The History of the Corps of Royal Engineers volume X + XI by the institution of Royal Engineers
Sapper Magazine
The Royal Corps of Signals a History of its Antecedents and Development (circa 1800-1955) by Major General RFH Nalder CB OBE
The Royal Corps of Signals Unit Histories (1920-2001) by Cliff Lord and Graham E Watson
Wire Magazine
Brigades of the British Army 1939-1945 by Malcolm A Bellis
The British Army in Germany an Organizational History 1947-2004 by Graham E Watson and Richard A Rinaldi