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{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Beach Group (Brick)
| unit_name = Beach Group (Brick)
| image =[[File:Beach Groups.jpg|150px]]
| image = Beach Groups.jpg
| image_size = 150
| caption =Shouler insignia worn by beach groups
| caption = Shoulder insignia worn by beach groups
| dates = 1943-1944
| dates = 1943–1944
| country = Britain
| country = Britain
| branch = Tri-Service
| branch = Tri-Service
| type =
| type =
| role = beachead organisation
| role = Beachhead organisation
| size = Brigade(-)
| battles = Sicily Landings<br> Salerno<br> Normandy Landings
| size = Brigade
| battles = Sicily Landings<br />Salerno<br />Normandy Landings
<!-- Insignia -->
<!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol =[[File:British_Commandos_Patch.svg|50px]]
| identification_symbol =[[File:British Commandos Patch.svg|50px]]
| identification_symbol_label = Patch worn by beach commandos
| identification_symbol_label = Patch worn by beach commandos
}}
}}
During the [[World War II|Second World War]] the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] realised the need for the landing zone of an amphibious assault to be organised for the efficient passage of follow on forces. The British formed such units from all three services - the [[Royal Navy]] ([[Royal Navy Commandos|Commandos]]), [[British Army]] and the [[Royal Air Force]], with the Army component comprising Infantry, [[Royal Engineers|Engineers]], [[Royal Army Ordnance Corps|Ordnance]], [[Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]], [[Royal Army Medical Corps|Medical]] and [[Royal Army Service Corps|Service Corps]].
During the [[World War II|Second World War]], the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] realised the need for the landing zone of an amphibious assault to be organised for the efficient passage of follow on forces. The British formed such units from all three services – the [[Royal Navy]] ([[Royal Navy Commandos|Commandos]]), [[British Army]] and the [[Royal Air Force]], with the Army component comprising Infantry, [[Royal Engineers|Engineers]], [[Royal Army Ordnance Corps|Ordnance]], [[Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]], [[Royal Army Medical Corps|Medical]] and [[Royal Army Service Corps|Service Corps]].


The equivalent U.S. units were called [[Beach Battalions]].
The equivalent U.S. units were called "beach battalions."


==Formation==
==Formation==
After the [[Operation Torch]] landings the need for a beach organisation became apparent for the larger planned operations. In the UK Beach Groups were formed and began to train in Scotland. In the Mediterranean the equivalent organisations were called Beach Bricks and were formed in Egypt and trained at Kabrit.
After the [[Operation Torch]] landings, the need for a beach organisation became apparent for the larger planned operations. Beach Groups were formed in the UK and began to train in Scotland. In the Mediterranean, the equivalent organisations were called Beach Bricks and were formed in Egypt and trained at Kabrit.
The Chief of Combined Operations [[Lord Louis Mountbatten]] described the functions of a beach group in late 1942:-<ref>Rogers p. 14</ref>
The Chief of Combined Operations [[Lord Louis Mountbatten]] described the functions of a beach group in late 1942:{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|p=14}}
*Arrange and control the movement of all personnel and vehicles from the landing craft to inland assembly areas.
* Arrange and control the movement of all personnel and vehicles from the landing craft to inland assembly areas.
*Move stores from ships' holds and craft to dumps in the beach maintenance areas.
* Move stores from ships' holds and craft to dumps in the beach maintenance areas.
*Develop and organise the beaches and beach maintenance area in regard to defence, movement and administration, including the evacuation of all casualties and recovery of vehicles.
* Develop and organise the beaches and beach maintenance area in regard to defence, movement and administration, including the evacuation of all casualties and recovery of vehicles.
*Provide the beach signal organisation.
* Provide the beach signal organisation.
*The removal to the UK of casualties, [[prisoners of war]] and salvaged equipment.
* The removal to the UK of casualties, [[prisoners of war]] and salvaged equipment.
*The creation of dumps to hold petrol ammunition and rations that were being landed.
* The creation of dumps to hold petrol, ammunition and rations that were being landed.
*Assembly areas for the arriving personnel and their vehicles.
* Assembly areas for the arriving personnel and their vehicles.
For this a tri-service formation was created around an infantry battalion, added to this were smaller units from the Royal Engineers, Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Pioneer corps, Royal Army Service Corps and the Corps of Military Police. The [[Royal Navy|Navy]] provided royal Navy Beach Commandos and a signal unit, and the Royal Air Force provided for beach anti-aircraft defence. The complement of a Beach group or brick was up to 3000 men.<ref>Rogers p. 19</ref>
For this, a tri-service formation was created around an infantry battalion, added to this were smaller units from the Royal Engineers, Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, [[Royal Pioneer Corps]], Royal Army Service Corps and the [[Royal Military Police|Corps of Military Police]]. The [[Royal Navy|Navy]] provided [[Royal Naval Beach Commandos]] and a signal unit, and the Royal Air Force provided for beach anti-aircraft defence. The complement of a Beach group or brick was up to 3,000 men.{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|p=19}}


The beach commandos were composed of 76 officers and men, led by the one Principal Beach Master and three Beach Masters, who would land with the assaulting troops and have the following duties:-<ref name="RNBC">Rogers pp. 31-33</ref>
The beach commandos were composed of 76 officers and men, led by the one Principal Beach Master and three Beach Masters, who would land with the assaulting troops and have the following duties:{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|pp=31–33}}
*Marking the limits of the beachhead
* Marking the limits of the beachhead
*Set up a protected area for the beach commander to operate from
* Set up a protected area for the beach commander to operate from
*Calling in landing craft to the beach via radio, signal lamp or loud-hailer.
* Calling in landing craft to the beach via radio, signal lamp or loud-hailer.
*Unloading landing craft according to priority.
* Unloading landing craft according to priority.
*Providing salvage parties to recover damaged landing craft, stores and equipment.
* Providing salvage parties to recover damaged landing craft, stores and equipment.
*Providing fire fighting parties, using modified [[DUKW]]s
* Providing fire fighting parties, using modified [[DUKW]]s
*Ensuring personnel and equipment could move through the beachhead as quickly as possible
* Ensuring personnel and equipment could move through the beachhead as quickly as possible
*Mooring landing craft correctly
* Mooring landing craft correctly
Each commando was to control the landing area for a brigade, they were subdivided into a headquarters and three sub units each controlling a battalion landing area. They wore army battledress with navy headgear. Nine beach commandos were formed for [[Operation Overlord]], designated F, J, L, P, Q, R, S, T and W, W was composed of Canadians.<ref name="RNBC"/>
Each commando, which was to control the landing area for a brigade, was subdivided into a headquarters and three sub units (Beach Parties), each controlling a battalion landing area. The men wore army battledress with navy headgear. Nine beach commandos were formed for [[Operation Overlord]], designated F, J, L, P, Q, R, S, T and W, the latter was composed of Canadians.{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|pp=31–33}}


The Royal Navy Beach Signals units were to provide communications between the beach and the offshore forces. Included in the units were men from the army and R.A.F.
The Royal Navy Beach Signals units were to provide communications between the beach and the offshore forces. Included in the units were men from the army and RAF.


The infantry component was intended to be a fighting force if any pockets of resistance remained on the beach immediately after the landings.<ref>Rogers p. 20</ref> After the beach was secured the battalion was to provide manpower for any other tasks, for example 6th Battalion [[Border Regiment]] was split up as follows,<ref>Rogers p. 167</ref>
The infantry component was intended to be a fighting force if any pockets of resistance remained on the beach immediately after the landings.{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|p=20}} After the beach had been secured, the battalion was to provide manpower for any other tasks, for example 6th Battalion [[Border Regiment]] was split up as follows,{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|p=167}}
*A and D Companies - beach companies
* A and D Companies - beach companies
*B Company - a labour unit of the ammunition section of the beach ordnance detachment
* B Company - a labour unit of the ammunition section of the beach ordnance detachment
*C Company - reserve
* C Company - reserve
*S Company - (the [[Universal Carrier|carrier]], mortar and anti-tank platoons), to provide labour for the petrol depot.
* S Company - (the [[Universal Carrier]], mortar and anti-tank platoons), to provide labour for the petrol depot.


As well as the treatment and dispatch of casualties back to Britain, the Medical Corps was also tasked with the provision of drinking water for the troops.<ref>Rogers p. 134</ref>
As well as the treatment and dispatch of casualties back to Britain, the Medical Corps was also tasked with the provision of drinking water for the troops.{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|p=134}}


The Military Police (MPs) were to be used to control the flow of traffic on the beach and to guard and document the prisoners of war collected in the initial stages and brought back to the beach. These units also included R.A.F. MPs.<ref>Rogers p. 131</ref>
The Military Police (MPs) were to be used to control the flow of traffic on the beach and to guard and document the [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] collected in the initial stages and brought back to the beach. These units also included [[Royal Air Force Police|RAF MPs]].{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|p=131}}


The pioneer companies were called on to perform many duties, construction of roads air-fields and stores, mine clearance, collection and evacuation of wounded, collection and burial of the dead, transport, guarding POWs and where necessary fight.<ref>Forty p. 137</ref><ref>Rogers pp. 67-68</ref>
The pioneer companies were called on to perform many duties; construction of roads, air-fields and stores, mine clearance, collection and evacuation of wounded, collection and burial of the dead, transport, guarding POWs and, where necessary, fight.{{sfnp|Forty|1998|p=137}}{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|pp=67–68}}


The RASC was responsible for the transport and distribution of the supplies needed by the troops.
The RASC was responsible for the transport and distribution of the supplies needed by the troops.


The REME was tasked with keeping the beaches clear of disabled vehicles, including removal of stranded landing craft. Repairable vehicles were repaired in place or at a vehicle park. They used normal and specialised recovery vehicles for the task such as the [[BARV]].<ref>Rogers pp. 58-59</ref>
The REME was tasked with keeping the beaches clear of disabled vehicles, including the removal of stranded landing craft. Repairable vehicles were repaired in place or at a vehicle park. The men used normal and specialised recovery vehicles for the task, such as the [[BARV]].{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|pp=58–59}}


The precise mix and number of units depended of the perceived need of each location.
The precise mix and number of units depended of the perceived need of each location.


===Training===
===Training===
From spring 1942, on the formation of the beach commandos, training was begun at [[Ardentinny]], with amphibious training on the [[Loch Long]]. R.A.F. units and other formations destined for the beach groups were trained at Gailes Camp near [[Irvine, North Ayrshire]].<ref>Rogers p. 30</ref>
From spring 1942, on the formation of the beach commandos, training was begun at the shore establishment HMS ''Armadillo'' [[Ardentinny]], with amphibious training on [[Loch Long]]. RAF units and other formations destined for the beach groups were trained at Gailes Camp near [[Irvine, North Ayrshire]].{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|p=30}}


Units formed in the Mediterranean trained at Kibrit on the [[Great Bitter Lake]] on the Suez Canal.
Units formed in the Mediterranean trained at Kibrit on the [[Great Bitter Lake]] on the Suez Canal.


==Beach Groups==
==Beach Groups==

===No. 3 Beach Group===
===No. 3 Beach Group===
Formed in the UK, it sailed to [[Invasion of Sicily|Sicily]] with the [[1st Canadian Infantry Division]], landing on 10 July 1943. It contained the 68th RAF Beach Unit.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/_husky_.html|title=R.A.F. Beach Units|accessdate=21 June 2014}}</ref> Utilised again for the [[Allied invasion of Italy|Salerno]] landings, and attached to the British [[56th (London) Division#Word War II|56th Infantry Division]], landing on Rodger beach on 9 September 1943, for this operation it contained the 68th and 69th RAF Beach Units.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|title=R.A.F. Beach Units|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/_avalanche_.html|accessdate=21 June 2014}}</ref>
Formed in the UK, it sailed to [[Invasion of Sicily|Sicily]] with the [[1st Canadian Infantry Division]], landing on 10 July 1943. It contained the 68th RAF Beach Unit.<ref name="husky">{{cite web |url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/List_of_Operations/HUSKY/husky.html |title=Operation "HUSKY" – The Invasion of Sicily |first=J. M. |last=Fenton |work=Royal Air Force Beach Units |year=2016 |access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref> Utilised again for the [[Allied invasion of Italy|Salerno]] landings, and attached to the British [[56th (London) Division#Word War II|56th Infantry Division]], landing on Rodger beach on 9 September 1943, for this operation it contained the 68th and 69th RAF Beach Units.<ref name="avalanche"/>


===No.4 Beach Group===
===No.4 Beach Group===
This unit also sailed with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division from Britain and landed with them during the invasion of Sicily. It contained the 69th RAF Beach Unit.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|title=R.A.F. Beach Units|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/_husky_.html|accessdate=22 June 2014}}</ref> It was the reserve Beach group for [[Juno Beach]].
This unit also sailed with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division from Britain and landed with them during the invasion of Sicily. It contained the 69th RAF Beach Unit.<ref name="husky"/> It was the reserve Beach group for [[Juno Beach|Juno]].


===No.5 Beach Group===
===No.5 Beach Group===
[[File:D-day_-_British_Forces_during_the_Invasion_of_Normandy_6_June_1944_B5028.jpg|thumb|right|Military Police dispatch riders of No.5 or 6 Beach group greet French Civilians]]
[[File:D-day - British Forces during the Invasion of Normandy 6 June 1944 B5028.jpg|thumb|right|Military Police dispatch riders of No.5 or 6 Beach group greet French Civilians]]
Supported the [[3rd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|3rd Infantry Division]] on [[Sword Beach]], Queen sector.
Supported the [[3rd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|3rd Infantry Division]] on [[Sword Beach|Sword]], Queen beaches.
[[File:D-day_-_British_Forces_during_the_Invasion_of_Normandy_6_June_1944_B5114.jpg|thumb|right|Men of 84 Field Coy RE (foreground) on Sword Beach]]
[[File:D-day - British Forces during the Invasion of Normandy 6 June 1944 B5114.jpg|thumb|right|Men of 84 Field Coy RE (foreground) on Sword]]
[[File:The British Army in the Normandy Campaign 1944 B5191.jpg|thumb|Beach Group troops look out from Queen beach, Sword Beach, littered with beached landing craft and wrecked vehicles and equipment, 7 June 1944]]
[[File:The British Army in the Normandy Campaign 1944 B5191.jpg|thumb|Beach Group troops look out from Queen beach, Sword, littered with beached landing craft and wrecked vehicles and equipment, 7 June 1944]]

'''Composition'''<ref>Rogers pp. 99-100</ref>
{| border="1"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+Composition{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|pp=99–100}}
|-
|-
! scope="col" width="150px" | Service
! scope="col" width="120" | Service
! scope="col" width="250px" |Arm of Service (Army only)
! scope="col" width="150" | Arm of Service<br />(Army only)
! scope="col" width="400px"| Unit
! scope="col" width="400" | Unit
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Royal Navy || Beach Commando Unit F
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Royal Navy || Beach Commando Unit F
|-
|-
| 13th Beach Signals
| 13th Beach Signals
|-
|-
| rowspan="20" | Army || Infantry || 5th Battalion [[The King's Regiment (Liverpool)]]
| rowspan="20" | Army || Infantry ||[[5th Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool)|5th Battalion]] [[The King's Regiment (Liverpool)]]
|-
|-
| rowspan="5"| R.A.M.C. || 20th, 21st, 30th, 39th Field Dressing Stations
| rowspan="5"| R.A.M.C. || 20th, 21st, 30th, 39th Field Dressing Stations
|-
|-
| 1st Field Sanitary Section
| 1st Field Sanitary Section
Line 120: Line 122:
| rowspan="5" | Royal Engineers || 84th Field Company
| rowspan="5" | Royal Engineers || 84th Field Company
|-
|-
| [[Tower_Hamlets_Engineers#18th_.281st_London.29_GHQTRE|18th G.H.Q. Troop Engineers]]
| [[Tower Hamlets Engineers#18th (1st London) GHQTRE|18th G.H.Q. Troop Engineers]]
|-
|-
| 940th Inland Waterway Transport
| 940th Inland Waterway Transport
Line 126: Line 128:
| 8th Stores Section
| 8th Stores Section
|-
|-
| 20th port detachment
| 20th Port Detachment
|-
|-
| Military Police || 241st Provost Company
| Military Police || 241st Provost Company
Line 133: Line 135:
|}
|}


===[[6th Beach Group|No.6 Beach Group]]===
===No.6 Beach Group===
[[6th Beach Group|No.6 Beach Group]] was the reserve for Sword.


{| class="wikitable"
Reserve for Sword Beach.
|-

'''Composition'''<ref>Rogers p. 115</ref>
|+Composition{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|p=115}}
{| border="1"
|-
|-
! scope="col" width="150px" | Service
! scope="col" width="120" | Service
! scope="col" width="250px" |Arm of Service (Army only)
! scope="col" width="150" | Arm of Service<br />(Army only)
! scope="col" width="400px"| Unit
! scope="col" width="400" | Unit
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Royal Navy || Beach Commando Unit R
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Royal Navy || Beach Commando Unit R
|-
|-
| 18th Beach Signals
| 18th Beach Signals
Line 150: Line 152:
| rowspan="14" | Army || Infantry || 1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion [[Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry|Ox & Bucks Light Infantry]]
| rowspan="14" | Army || Infantry || 1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion [[Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry|Ox & Bucks Light Infantry]]
|-
|-
| rowspan="3"| R.A.M.C. || 9th, 12th, Field Dressing Stations
| rowspan="3"| R.A.M.C. || 9th, 12th, Field Dressing Stations
|-
|-
| 2nd Detachment Field Sanitary Section
| 2nd Detachment Field Sanitary Section
Line 176: Line 178:
| Military Police || 245th HQ Provost Company
| Military Police || 245th HQ Provost Company
|-
|-
| colspan="2" | Royal Air Force || 102nd RAF Beach Section
| colspan="2" | Royal Air Force || 102nd RAF Beach Flight
|}
|}


===No.7 Beach Group===
===No.7 Beach Group===
Supported the [[3rd Canadian Infantry Division]] landed on Mike in the Juno landing area.


'''Composition'''{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|pp=127–128}}
Supported the [[3rd Canadian Infantry Division]] landed on Juno Beach, Mike sector.
{| class="wikitable"

'''Composition'''<ref>Rogers pp. 127-128</ref>
{| border="1"
|-
|-
! scope="col" width="150px" | Service
! scope="col" width="120" | Service
! scope="col" width="250px" |Arm of Service (Army only)
! scope="col" width="150" | Arm of Service<br />(Army only)
! scope="col" width="400px"| Unit
! scope="col" width="400" | Unit
|-
|-
| colspan="2" | Royal Navy || Beach Commando Units L, P & S
| colspan="2" | Royal Navy || Beach Commando Units L, P & S
|-
|-
| rowspan="16" | Army || Infantry || [[Liverpool Irish|8th (Irish) Battalion The King's Regiment]]
| rowspan="16" | Army || Infantry || [[Liverpool Irish|8th (Irish) Battalion The King's Regiment]]
|-
|-
| rowspan="4"| R.A.M.C. || 1st, 2nd Field Dressing Stations
| rowspan="4"| R.A.M.C. || 1st, 2nd Field Dressing Stations
|-
|-
| 3rd Field Sanitary Section
| 3rd Field Sanitary Section
Line 224: Line 225:
| Military Police || 242nd Provost Company
| Military Police || 242nd Provost Company
|-
|-
| colspan="2" | Royal Air Force || 107th RAF Beach Section
| colspan="2" | Royal Air Force || 103 RAF Beach Flight
|}
|}


===No.8 Beach Group===
===No.8 Beach Group===
Landed on Nan, in the Juno landing area.


'''Composition'''{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|pp=138–139}}
Landed on Juno Beach, Nan sector.
{| class="wikitable"

'''Composition'''<ref>Rogers pp. 138-139</ref>
{| border="1"
|-
|-
! scope="col" width="150px" | Service
! scope="col" width="120" | Service
! scope="col" width="250px" |Arm of Service (Army only)
! scope="col" width="150" | Arm of Service<br />(Army only)
! scope="col" width="400px"| Unit
! scope="col" width="400" | Unit
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Royal Navy || Beach Commando Unit P
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Royal Navy || Beach Commando Unit P
|-
|-
| 19th Beach Signals Section
| 19th Beach Signals Section
|-
|-
| rowspan="16" | Army || Infantry || 5th Battalion [[Royal Berkshire Regiment]]
| rowspan="16" | Army || Infantry || 5th (Hackney) Battalion [[Royal Berkshire Regiment]]
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| R.A.M.C. || 32nd, 34th Field Dressing Stations
| rowspan="2"| R.A.M.C. || 32nd, 34th Field Dressing Stations
|-
|-
| 32nd Casualty Clearing Station
| 32nd Casualty Clearing Station
Line 270: Line 270:
| 59th Mechanised Equipment Section
| 59th Mechanised Equipment Section
|-
|-
| 966th Inland Water Transport
| 966th Inland Water Transport
|-
|-
| Military Police || 242nd Provost Company
| Military Police || 242nd Provost Company
|-
|-
| colspan="2" | Royal Air Force || 974th RAF Beach Flight
| colspan="2" | Royal Air Force || 104 RAF Beach Flight
|}
|}


===No.9 Beach Group===
===No.9 Beach Group===
[[File:Royal_Air_Force-_2nd_Tactical_Air_Force%2C_1943-1945._CL48.jpg|thumb|right|Men of 98th Balloon Squadron R.A.F. pull a balloon winch over King Beach]]
[[File:Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force%2C 1943-1945. CL48.jpg|thumb|right|Men of 98th Balloon Squadron R.A.F. pull a balloon winch over King Beach]]
Supported the [[50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division]] landing on [[Gold Beach]], King sector.
Supported the [[50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division]] landing on the King sector of the [[Gold Beach|Gold]], landing area.


'''Composition'''<ref>Rogers pp. 156-157</ref>
'''Composition'''{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|pp=156–157}}
{| border="1"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! scope="col" width="150px" | Service
! scope="col" width="120" | Service
! scope="col" width="250px" |Arm of Service (Army only)
! scope="col" width="150" | Arm of Service<br />(Army only)
! scope="col" width="400px"| Unit
! scope="col" width="400" | Unit
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Royal Navy || Beach Commando Units J, G & T
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Royal Navy || Beach Commando Units J, G & T
|-
|-
| B10 Beach Signal Section
| B10 Beach Signal Section
Line 298: Line 298:
| Light Anti-Aircraft Detachments
| Light Anti-Aircraft Detachments
|-
|-
| rowspan="4"| R.A.M.C. || 3rd, 32nd, 35th Field Dressing Stations
| rowspan="4"| R.A.M.C. || 3rd, 32nd, 35th Field Dressing Stations
|-
|-
| 47th, 48th Field Sanitary Units
| 47th, 48th Field Sanitary Units
Line 330: Line 330:
| Military Police || 243rd Provost Company
| Military Police || 243rd Provost Company
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Royal Air Force || 54th RAF Beach Flight
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Royal Air Force || 107th RAF Beach Flight
|-
|-
| 98th Balloon Squadron
| 98th Balloon Squadron
Line 336: Line 336:


===No.10 Beach Group===
===No.10 Beach Group===
Landed on the Jig beaches, within the Gold sector.


'''Composition'''{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|pp=166–167}}
Landed on Gold Beach, Jig sector.
{| class="wikitable"

'''Composition'''<ref>Rogers pp. 166-167</ref>
{| border="1"
|-
|-
! scope="col" width="150px" | Service
! scope="col" width="120" | Service
! scope="col" width="250px" |Arm of Service (Army only)
! scope="col" width="150" | Arm of Service<br />(Army only)
! scope="col" width="400px"| Unit
! scope="col" width="400" | Unit
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Royal Navy || Beach Commando Unit Q
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Royal Navy || Beach Commando Unit Q
Line 354: Line 353:
|| Royal Artillery || Anti-Aircraft Detachments
|| Royal Artillery || Anti-Aircraft Detachments
|-
|-
| rowspan="3"| R.A.M.C. || 25th, 31st Field Dressing Stations
| rowspan="3"| R.A.M.C. || 25th, 31st Field Dressing Stations
|-
|-
| 30th, 41st, 42nd Field Sanitary Units
| 30th, 41st, 42nd Field Sanitary Units
Line 370: Line 369:
| 356th, 705th General Transport Companies
| 356th, 705th General Transport Companies
|-
|-
| 244th Petrol Depot<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.da.mod.uk/colleges/jscsc/jscsc-library/archives/operation-overlord/CONF4171_AssaultLandNormandy.pdf/view|title=The Assault Landings in Normandy: Order of Battle, Second British Army|last=Latham|first=H.B.|year=1958}}</ref>
| 244th Petrol Depot<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.da.mod.uk/DesktopModules/EasyDNNNews/DocumentDownload.ashx?portalid=0&moduleid=2116&articleid=924&documentid=1103 |title=The Assault Landings in Normandy: Order of Battle, Second British Army |first=H.B. |last=Latham |work=Defence Academy of the United Kingdom |year=1958 |access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="4" | Royal Engineers || 90th Field Company
| rowspan="4" | Royal Engineers || 90th Field Company
Line 388: Line 387:


===No. 20 Beach Group===
===No. 20 Beach Group===
[[File:Landing_beach_on_the_opening_day_of_the_invasion_of_Sicily.jpg|thumb|right|Highlanders assist with the unloading, while the beach group engineers prepare roads off the beach]]
[[File:Landing beach on the opening day of the invasion of Sicily.jpg|thumb|right|Highlanders assist with the unloading, while the beach group engineers prepare roads off the beach]]
This unit landed with the [[51st (Highland) Infantry Division]] on Sicily on 10 July 1943.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|title=R.A.F. Beach Units|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/_husky_.html|accessdate=24 June 2014}}</ref> The infantry component was two companies of the 2/4th [[Royal Hampshire Regiment|Hampshire Regiment]].
This unit landed with the [[51st (Highland) Infantry Division]] on Sicily on 10 July 1943.<ref name="husky"/> The infantry component was two companies of the 2/4th [[Royal Hampshire Regiment|Hampshire Regiment]].


===No. 21 Beach Group===
===No. 21 Beach Group===
This unit also landed with the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division on Sicily on 10 July 1943.<ref name="husky"/>

The unit was used again and landed at Salerno on Sugar beach, supporting the 56th Infantry Division. It contained two companies of the Hampshire Regiment and the RAF's 81st and 82nd Auxiliary Embarkation Units.<ref name="avalanche">{{cite web |url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/List_of_Operations/AVALANCHE/avalanche.html |title=Operation "AVALANCHE" – Assault Landings at Salerno |first=J. M. |last=Fenton |work=Royal Air Force Beach Units |year=2016 |access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref>
This unit also landed with the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division on Sicily on 10 July 1943.
<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|title=R.A.F. Beach Units|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/_husky_.html|accessdate=24 June 2014}}</ref>
The unit was used again and landed at Salerno on Sugar beach, supporting the 56th Infantry Division. It contained two companies of the Hampshire Regiment and the RAF's 81st and 82nd Auxiliary Embarkation Units.
<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|title=R.A.F. Beach Units|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/_avalanche_.html|accessdate=24 June 2014}}</ref>


===No.31 Beach Brick===
===No.31 Beach Brick===
Formed on 13 April 1943 at Kabrit in Egypt, around the 7th Battalion [[Royal Marines]]. This unit was charged with training itself and then other units that were to form other Beach Bricks.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113172759/http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/item/researching-family-and-royal-marine-history/royal-marines-in-combined-operations-1939-45 |archive-date=13 January 2014 |url=http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/item/researching-family-and-royal-marine-history/royal-marines-in-combined-operations-1939-45 |title=Royal Marines in Combined Operations 1939-45 |work=Royal Marines Museum |year=2014 |access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref> It landed on Sicily supporting the [[231st Infantry Brigade]] at Marzamemi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/List_of_Units/Middle_East_Beach_Bricks/31_Beach_Brick/31_beach_brick.html |title=31 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component |first=J. M. |last=Fenton |work=Royal Air Force Beach Units |year=2016 |access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref>

Formed on 13 April 1943 at Kabrit in Egypt, around the 7th Battalion [[Royal Marines]]. This unit was charged with training itself and then other units that were to form other Beach Bricks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Royal Marines Museum|url=http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/item/researching-family-and-royal-marine-history/royal-marines-in-combined-operations-1939-45|accessdate=24 June 2014}}</ref> It landed on Sicily supporting the [[231st Infantry Brigade]] at Marzamemi.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|title=R.A.F. Beach Units|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/31_beach_brick.html|accessdate=24 June 2014}}</ref>


===No.32 Beach Brick===
===No.32 Beach Brick===
Formed around the 2nd Battalion [[Highland Light Infantry]], the Brick supported the [[5th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|5th Infantry Division]] during the Sicily landings at Cassibile (beaches Nos. 45 and 46) south of Syracuse. The Brick again supported the 5th Division ([[13th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|13th Infantry Brigade]]) in the landings at Calabria on 3 September 1943 on George Beach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/List_of_Units/Middle_East_Beach_Bricks/32_Beach_Brick/32_beach_brick.html |title=32 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component |first=J. M. |last=Fenton |work=Royal Air Force Beach Units |year=2016 |access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref>

Formed around the 2nd Battalion [[Highland Light Infantry]], the Brick supported the [[5th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|5th Infantry Division]] during the Sicily landings at Cassibile (beaches Nos. 45 and 46) south of Syracuse. The Brick again supported 5th Division ([[13th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|13th Infantry Brigade]]) in the landings at Calabria on 3 September 1943 on George beach.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|title=R.A.F. Beach Units|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/32_beach_brick.html|accessdate=24 June 2014}}</ref>


===No.33 Beach Brick===
===No.33 Beach Brick===
Formed on 1 April 1943 around 1st Battalion [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]], the Brick supported the [[17th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|17th Infantry Brigade]] of the 5th Infantry Division at George Beach (beach No. 44). On 27 July, the Highlanders were sent to the front line and the 1st Battalion [[Welch Regiment]] took their place from No. 34 Beach Brick. The Brick was reassembled with the Highlanders for the landings at Calabria, again with 17th Brigade, on How beach north of Torrente. The Brick was disbanded in November 1943.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/List_of_Units/Middle_East_Beach_Bricks/33_Beach_Brick/33_beach_brick.html |title=33 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component |first=J. M. |last=Fenton |work=Royal Air Force Beach Units |year=2016 |access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref>

Formed on 1 April 1943 around 1st Battalion [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]], the Brick supported the [[17th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|17th Infantry Brigade]] of the 5th Infantry Division at George beach (beach No. 44). On 27 July the Highlanders were sent to the front line and the 1st Battalion [[Welch Regiment]] took their place from No. 34 Beach Brick. The Brick was reassembled with the Highlanders for the landings at Calabria, again with 17th Brigade, on How beach north of Torrente. The Brick was disbanded in November 1943.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|title=R.A.F. Beach Units|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/33_beach_brick.html|accessdate=24 June 2014}}</ref>


===No.34 Beach Brick===
===No.34 Beach Brick===
Formed on 1 June 1943 at Kabrit Egypt around the 1st Battalion, [[Welch Regiment]], the Brick supported the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division during the Sicily Landings at Avola. For the landings at Calabria the Brick supported the [[1st Canadian Division|3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade]] on Fox beach north of Reggio de Calabria.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|title=R.A.F. Beach Units|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/34_beach_brick.html|accessdate=24 June 2014}}</ref> The Brick supported the [[Battle of Anzio|Anzio landings]] with D company of 18th Durham Light Infantry as the infantry component.<ref>Ward p. 463</ref> [[Denis Healey]] was a Beach Master for this operation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Denis Healey - obituary|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11708200/Denis-Healey-politician.html|website=The Telegraph|accessdate=7 December 2015}}</ref>
Formed on 1 June 1943 at Kabrit Egypt around the 1st Battalion, [[Welch Regiment]], the Brick supported the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division during the Sicily Landings at Avola. For the landings at Calabria, the Brick supported the [[1st Canadian Division|3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade]] on Fox beach north of Reggio de Calabria.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/List_of_Units/Middle_East_Beach_Bricks/34_Beach_Brick/34_beach_brick.html |title=34 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component |first=J. M. |last=Fenton |work=Royal Air Force Beach Units |year=2016 |access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref> The Brick supported the [[Battle of Anzio|Anzio landings]] with D Company of 18th Durham Light Infantry as the infantry component.<ref>Ward p. 463</ref> [[Denis Healey]] was a Beach Master for this operation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Obituary: Denis Healey |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11708200/Denis-Healey-politician.html |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=3 October 2015 |access-date=7 December 2015}}</ref>


===No.35 Beach Brick===
===No.35 Beach Brick===
Formed around the 18th Battalion [[Durham Light Infantry]] at Kabrit, it transferred to Algeria in July for training and then to Tunisia for more training with the [[46th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|46th Infantry Division]], whom it supported in the landings at Salerno on Uncle beach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/List_of_Units/Middle_East_Beach_Bricks/35_Beach_Brick/35_beach_brick.html |title=35 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component |first=J. M. |last=Fenton |work=Royal Air Force Beach Units |year=2016 |access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref>

Formed around the 18th Battalion [[Durham Light Infantry]] at Kabrit it transferred to Algeria in July for training and then to Tunisia for more training with the [[46th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|46th Infantry Division]], and supported them in the landings at Salerno on Uncle beach.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|title=R.A.F. Beach Units|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/35_beach_brick.html|accessdate=24 June 2014}}</ref>


===No.36 Beach Brick===
===No.36 Beach Brick===
Formed on 20 July 1943 at Kabrit in Egypt around the dismounted men of 8th [[Royal Tank Regiment]]. The brick was sent to Palestine in August, around plans for capture of Rhodes in late 1943. This was cancelled and the Brick transferred to the UK in early 1944. By this time, 8th Royal Tank Regiment had left the Brick and been re-equipped with tanks; 18th Durham Light Infantry took their place.<ref name="gong">{{cite web |url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/List_of_Units/Middle_East_Beach_Bricks/36_Beach_Brick/36_beach_brick.html |title=36 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component |first=J. M. |last=Fenton |work=Royal Air Force Beach Units |year=2016 |access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref> For the Normandy landings, the Brick was in reserve for Gold.


'''Composition''' (Normandy){{sfnp|Rogers|2012|p=21}}
Formed on 20 July 1943 at Kabrit in Egypt around the dismounted men of 8th [[Royal Tank Regiment]]. The brick was sent to Palestine in August, around plans for capture of Rhodes in late 1943. This was cancelled and the Brick transferred to UK early 1944. by this time 8th Royal Tank Regiment had left the Brick and been re-equipped with tanks, with 18th Durham Light Infantry taking their place.<ref name="gong">{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|title=R.A.F. Beach Units|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/36_beach_brick.html|accessdate=24 June 2014}}</ref> For the Normandy landings the Brick was in reserve for Gold Beach.
{| class="wikitable"

'''Composition'''<ref>Rogers p. 21</ref>
{| border="1"
|-
|-
! scope="col" width="150px" | Service
! scope="col" width="120" | Service
! scope="col" width="250px" |Arm of Service (Army only)
! scope="col" width="150" | Arm of Service<br />(Army only)
! scope="col" width="400px"| Unit
! scope="col" width="400" | Unit
|-
|-
|-
|-
Line 433: Line 424:
| rowspan="3" | Royal Artillery|| HQ 100th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment
| rowspan="3" | Royal Artillery|| HQ 100th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment
|-
|-
| 305th Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery
| 305th Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery
|-
|-
| 328th Light Anti Aircraft Battery
| 328th Light Anti Aircraft Battery
Line 455: Line 446:


==Awards==
==Awards==
Men of the Beach Groups and Bricks received the following awards during their service. This list is incomplete.


During the Salerno landings, the [[Distinguished Service Order]] was awarded to Wing Commander Rowland George O.B.E., and the [[Military Cross]] was awarded to Major Cameron (18th Durham Light Infantry) and Flight Lieutenant John Dobbin, who organised the beaches and cleared vehicle congestion while under fire.<ref name="gong"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/Honours_and_Awards/honours_and_awards.html |title=Honours and Awards for R.A.F. Beach Unit Personnel|first=J. M. |last=Fenton |work=Royal Air Force Beach Units |year=2016 |access-date=8 April 2016}}</ref>
Men of the Beach Groups and Bricks received the following awards during their service.


During the Normandy Landings, the following Beach Commandos of Nos 5 and 6 Beach Groups received Awards.{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|p=110 & 117}}
During the Salerno landings the [[Distinguished Service Order]] was awarded to Wing Commander Rowland George O.B.E., and the [[Military Cross]] awarded to Major Cameron (18th Durham Light Infantry) and Flight Lieutenant John Dobbin who organised the beaches and cleared vehicle congestion while under fire.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fenton|first1=Mike|title=R.A.F. Beach units|url=http://www.rafbeachunits.info/html/honours_and_awards.html|accessdate=24 June 2014}}</ref><ref name="gong"/>


{| class="wikitable"
During the Normandy Landings the following Beach Commandos of Nos 5 and 6 Beach Groups received Awards<ref>Rogers pps. 110, 117</ref>

{| border="1"
|-
|-
! scope="col" width="250px" | Award
! scope="col" width="250" | Award
! scope="col" width="350px" |Commando
! scope="col" width="350" |Commando
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"|Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.)||Lt Cdr Edward F. Gueritz RN
| rowspan="2"|Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.)||Lt Cdr Edward F. Gueritz RN
Line 499: Line 489:
||PO George Graham Tapley
||PO George Graham Tapley
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Croix de guerre]]||Sub Lt Richard H Dongar RNVR
| rowspan="2" |{{Lang|fr|[[Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France)|Croix de guerre]]|italic=no}}||Sub Lt Richard H Dongar RNVR
|-
|-
||AB Alan Watersworth
||AB Alan Watersworth
|}
|}


Members of the Royal Navy beach signals sections won the following.<ref>Rogers p. 63</ref>
Members of the Royal Navy beach signals sections won the following.{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|p=63}}


{| border="1"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! scope="col" width="250px" | Award
! scope="col" width="250" | Award
! scope="col" width="350px" | Recipient
! scope="col" width="350" | Recipient
|-
|-
||DSC||Lt Robert Billington RNVR
||DSC||Lt Robert Billington RNVR
Line 530: Line 520:
|}
|}


On 8 June a German fighter plane dropped a bomb on the petrol and ammunition depot on Sword Beach, with the ensuing fire threatening to destroy large quantities of supplies. Men of 5 and 6 Beach Groups worked to save the supplies, and seven were awarded the [[George Medal]].<ref>Rogers p. 96</ref>
On 8 June, a German fighter plane dropped a bomb on the petrol and ammunition depot on Sword, with the ensuing fire threatening to destroy large quantities of supplies. Men of 5 and 6 Beach Groups worked to save the supplies; seven of whom were awarded the [[George Medal]].{{sfnp|Rogers|2012|p=96}}
*Lt.Col. R D R Sale (1 Bucks)
* Lt.Col. R D R Sale (1 Bucks)
*Maj. L Pepper (RAOC)
* Maj. L Pepper (RAOC)
*Lt. E Fairbrother (RE)
* Lt. E Fairbrother (RE)
*Sgt H Grant (Pioneers)
* Sgt H Grant (Pioneers)
*Sgt J S MacGowen (RAOC)
* Sgt J S MacGowen (RAOC)
*Sgt A G Wakeford (RASC)
* Sgt A G Wakeford (RASC)
*Pte A Catley (Pioneers)
* Pte A Catley (Pioneers)


==Australian Beach Groups==
==See Also==
Two Australian beach groups were formed in June 1944, and saw action in the [[Borneo campaign (1945)|Borneo campaign]] in 1945.
*[[Colin Maud]]


===1st Beach Group===
==References==
Supported the [[9th Division (Australia)|9th Division]] in the [[Battle of North Borneo|landings at Brunei and Labuan]]. It was commanded by Colonel C. J. Cummings.<ref name="oob" />
{{reflist|30em}}


'''Composition''' <ref name="oob">"Order of Battle 1 and 2 Beach Groups", 22 June 1944, AWM54 721/29/11</ref>
==Bibliography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" width="120" | Service
! scope="col" width="150" | Arm of Service<br />(Army only)
! scope="col" width="400" | Unit
|-
| rowspan="3" colspan="2" | Royal Australian Navy || Beach Commando A
|-
| Beach Commando C
|-
| 2nd Beach Signals Section
|-
| rowspan="16" | Army || Pioneers || [[2/4th Pioneer Battalion (Australia)|2/4th Pioneer Battalion]]
|-
| rowspan="2"| Medical || 1st A.A.M.C. Company
|-
| 20th Malaria Control Unit
|-
| Ordnance || 2nd Ordnance Beach Detachment
|-
| A.E.M.E. || 1st Beach Workshop
|-
| rowspan="6" | A.A.S.C. || HQ 2/166th General Transport Company
|-
| 2/47th Transport Platoon
|-
| 2/48th Transport Platoon
|-
| 2/166th Workshop Platoon
|-
| 2/240th Supply Depot Platoon
|-
| 57th B.I.P.O.D.
|-
| rowspan="3" | Engineers || 2/15th Field Company
|-
| 1st Mechanical Equipment Platoon
|-
| 1st Engineer Stores Platoon
|-
| Provost || 15th Independent Brigade Group Provost Platoon
|-
| Salvage || 3rd Armoured Division Salvage Unit
|}


===2nd Beach Group===
{{cite book|last1=Forty|first1=George|title=Companion to the British Army 1939–1945|date=1998|publisher=The History Press|location=Stroud|isbn=978 0 7524 5240 1|edition=3}}
Supported the 9th Division in the [[Battle of Tarakan (1945)|Battle of Tarakan]] and the [[7th Division (Australia)|7th Division]] in the [[Battle of Balikpapan (1945)|Battle of Balikpapan]]. It was commanded by Colonel C. R. Hodgson.<ref name="oob" />


'''Composition''' <ref name="oob">"Order of Battle 1 and 2 Beach Groups", 22 June 1944, AWM54 721/29/11</ref>
{{cite book|last1=Rogers|first1=Joseph and David|title=D-Day Beach Force: The Men who Turned Chaos into Order|date=2012|publisher=The History Press|location=Stroud|isbn=978 0 7524 6330 8|edition=1}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" width="120" | Service
! scope="col" width="150" | Arm of Service<br />(Army only)
! scope="col" width="400" | Unit
|-
| rowspan="3" colspan="2" | Royal Australian Navy || Beach Commando B
|-
| Beach Commando D
|-
| 1st Beach Signals Section
|-
| rowspan="16" | Army || Pioneers || [[2/2nd Pioneer Battalion (Australia)|2/2nd Pioneer Battalion]]
|-
| rowspan="2"| Medical || 2nd A.A.M.C. Company
|-
| 23rd Malaria Control Unit
|-
| Ordnance || 1st Ordnance Beach Detachment
|-
| A.E.M.E. || 2nd Beach Workshop
|-
| rowspan="6" | A.A.S.C. || HQ 2/108th General Transport Company
|-
| 2/45th Transport Platoon
|-
| 2/46th Transport Platoon
|-
| 2/108th Workshop Platoon
|-
| 2/235th Supply Depot Platoon
|-
| 58th B.I.P.O.D.
|-
| rowspan="3" | Engineers || 2/11th Field Company
|-
| 2nd Mechanical Equipment Platoon
|-
| 2nd Engineer Stores Platoon
|-
| Provost || 17th Independent Brigade Group Provost Platoon
|-
| Salvage || 1st Armoured Division Salvage Unit
|}


==See also==
http://www.rafbeachunits.info/
* [[Colin Maud]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last=Forty |first=George |title=Companion to the British Army 1939–1945 |date=1998 |publisher=The History Press |location=Stroud |isbn=978-0-7524-5240-1 |edition=3rd}}
* {{cite book |last=Rogers |first=Joseph & David |title=D-Day Beach Force: The Men who Turned Chaos into Order |date=2012 |publisher=The History Press |location=Stroud |isbn=978-0-7524-6330-8 |edition=1st}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}


[[Category:Amphibious warfare]]
[[Category:Amphibious warfare]]

Latest revision as of 08:21, 14 May 2024

Beach Group (Brick)
Shoulder insignia worn by beach groups
Active1943–1944
CountryBritain
BranchTri-Service
RoleBeachhead organisation
SizeBrigade
EngagementsSicily Landings
Salerno
Normandy Landings
Insignia
Patch worn by beach commandos

During the Second World War, the Allies realised the need for the landing zone of an amphibious assault to be organised for the efficient passage of follow on forces. The British formed such units from all three services – the Royal Navy (Commandos), British Army and the Royal Air Force, with the Army component comprising Infantry, Engineers, Ordnance, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Medical and Service Corps.

The equivalent U.S. units were called "beach battalions."

Formation

[edit]

After the Operation Torch landings, the need for a beach organisation became apparent for the larger planned operations. Beach Groups were formed in the UK and began to train in Scotland. In the Mediterranean, the equivalent organisations were called Beach Bricks and were formed in Egypt and trained at Kabrit. The Chief of Combined Operations Lord Louis Mountbatten described the functions of a beach group in late 1942:[1]

  • Arrange and control the movement of all personnel and vehicles from the landing craft to inland assembly areas.
  • Move stores from ships' holds and craft to dumps in the beach maintenance areas.
  • Develop and organise the beaches and beach maintenance area in regard to defence, movement and administration, including the evacuation of all casualties and recovery of vehicles.
  • Provide the beach signal organisation.
  • The removal to the UK of casualties, prisoners of war and salvaged equipment.
  • The creation of dumps to hold petrol, ammunition and rations that were being landed.
  • Assembly areas for the arriving personnel and their vehicles.

For this, a tri-service formation was created around an infantry battalion, added to this were smaller units from the Royal Engineers, Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Royal Pioneer Corps, Royal Army Service Corps and the Corps of Military Police. The Navy provided Royal Naval Beach Commandos and a signal unit, and the Royal Air Force provided for beach anti-aircraft defence. The complement of a Beach group or brick was up to 3,000 men.[2]

The beach commandos were composed of 76 officers and men, led by the one Principal Beach Master and three Beach Masters, who would land with the assaulting troops and have the following duties:[3]

  • Marking the limits of the beachhead
  • Set up a protected area for the beach commander to operate from
  • Calling in landing craft to the beach via radio, signal lamp or loud-hailer.
  • Unloading landing craft according to priority.
  • Providing salvage parties to recover damaged landing craft, stores and equipment.
  • Providing fire fighting parties, using modified DUKWs
  • Ensuring personnel and equipment could move through the beachhead as quickly as possible
  • Mooring landing craft correctly

Each commando, which was to control the landing area for a brigade, was subdivided into a headquarters and three sub units (Beach Parties), each controlling a battalion landing area. The men wore army battledress with navy headgear. Nine beach commandos were formed for Operation Overlord, designated F, J, L, P, Q, R, S, T and W, the latter was composed of Canadians.[3]

The Royal Navy Beach Signals units were to provide communications between the beach and the offshore forces. Included in the units were men from the army and RAF.

The infantry component was intended to be a fighting force if any pockets of resistance remained on the beach immediately after the landings.[4] After the beach had been secured, the battalion was to provide manpower for any other tasks, for example 6th Battalion Border Regiment was split up as follows,[5]

  • A and D Companies - beach companies
  • B Company - a labour unit of the ammunition section of the beach ordnance detachment
  • C Company - reserve
  • S Company - (the Universal Carrier, mortar and anti-tank platoons), to provide labour for the petrol depot.

As well as the treatment and dispatch of casualties back to Britain, the Medical Corps was also tasked with the provision of drinking water for the troops.[6]

The Military Police (MPs) were to be used to control the flow of traffic on the beach and to guard and document the prisoners of war collected in the initial stages and brought back to the beach. These units also included RAF MPs.[7]

The pioneer companies were called on to perform many duties; construction of roads, air-fields and stores, mine clearance, collection and evacuation of wounded, collection and burial of the dead, transport, guarding POWs and, where necessary, fight.[8][9]

The RASC was responsible for the transport and distribution of the supplies needed by the troops.

The REME was tasked with keeping the beaches clear of disabled vehicles, including the removal of stranded landing craft. Repairable vehicles were repaired in place or at a vehicle park. The men used normal and specialised recovery vehicles for the task, such as the BARV.[10]

The precise mix and number of units depended of the perceived need of each location.

Training

[edit]

From spring 1942, on the formation of the beach commandos, training was begun at the shore establishment HMS Armadillo Ardentinny, with amphibious training on Loch Long. RAF units and other formations destined for the beach groups were trained at Gailes Camp near Irvine, North Ayrshire.[11]

Units formed in the Mediterranean trained at Kibrit on the Great Bitter Lake on the Suez Canal.

Beach Groups

[edit]

No. 3 Beach Group

[edit]

Formed in the UK, it sailed to Sicily with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, landing on 10 July 1943. It contained the 68th RAF Beach Unit.[12] Utilised again for the Salerno landings, and attached to the British 56th Infantry Division, landing on Rodger beach on 9 September 1943, for this operation it contained the 68th and 69th RAF Beach Units.[13]

No.4 Beach Group

[edit]

This unit also sailed with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division from Britain and landed with them during the invasion of Sicily. It contained the 69th RAF Beach Unit.[12] It was the reserve Beach group for Juno.

No.5 Beach Group

[edit]
Military Police dispatch riders of No.5 or 6 Beach group greet French Civilians

Supported the 3rd Infantry Division on Sword, Queen beaches.

Men of 84 Field Coy RE (foreground) on Sword
Beach Group troops look out from Queen beach, Sword, littered with beached landing craft and wrecked vehicles and equipment, 7 June 1944
Composition[14]
Service Arm of Service
(Army only) 		Unit
Royal Navy Beach Commando Unit F
13th Beach Signals
Army Infantry 5th Battalion The King's Regiment (Liverpool)
R.A.M.C. 20th, 21st, 30th, 39th Field Dressing Stations
1st Field Sanitary Section
39th, 40th, 55th Field Surgery Units
21st, 29th Field Transfusion Units
16th Gas Clearing Station
R.A.O.C. 44th Ordnance Ammunition Company
11th Ordnance Beach Detachment
Pioneer Corps 53rd, 102nd, 129th, 267th, 292nd, 303rd Pioneer Companies
R.E.M.E. 20th Beach Recovery Section
R.A.S.C. 96th Detail Issue Depot
H.Q. 21st Transport Column R.A.S.C.
39th, 101st, 635th General Transport Companies
257th Petrol Depot
Royal Engineers 84th Field Company
18th G.H.Q. Troop Engineers
940th Inland Waterway Transport
8th Stores Section
20th Port Detachment
Military Police 241st Provost Company
Royal Air Force 101st RAF Beach Flight

No.6 Beach Group

[edit]

No.6 Beach Group was the reserve for Sword.

Composition[15]
Service Arm of Service
(Army only) 		Unit
Royal Navy Beach Commando Unit R
18th Beach Signals
Army Infantry 1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion Ox & Bucks Light Infantry
R.A.M.C. 9th, 12th, Field Dressing Stations
2nd Detachment Field Sanitary Section
37th, 38th Field Surgery Units
R.A.O.C. 12th Ordnance Beach Detachment
Pioneer Corps 85th, 149th Pioneer Companies
R.E.M.E. 21st Beach Recovery Section
R.A.S.C. 138th Detail Issue Depot
299th General Transport Company
238th Petrol Depot.
Royal Engineers 91st Field Company
50th Detachment Mechanical Equipment Platoon
1028th Port Operating Company
Military Police 245th HQ Provost Company
Royal Air Force 102nd RAF Beach Flight

No.7 Beach Group

[edit]

Supported the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division landed on Mike in the Juno landing area.

Composition[16]

Service Arm of Service
(Army only) 		Unit
Royal Navy Beach Commando Units L, P & S
Army Infantry 8th (Irish) Battalion The King's Regiment
R.A.M.C. 1st, 2nd Field Dressing Stations
3rd Field Sanitary Section
39th, 40th, 55th Field Surgery Units
13th, 14th Field Transfusion Units
R.A.O.C. 45th Ordnance Ammunition Company
7th, 14th Ordnance Beach Depots
Pioneer Corps 190th, 225th, 243rd, 293rd Pioneer Companies
R.E.M.E. 20th Beach Recovery Section
R.A.S.C. 139th Detail Issue Depot
282nd General Transport Company
240th Petrol Detachment
Royal Engineers 72nd, 85th Field Companies
11th Port Operating Group
19th Stores Section
Military Police 242nd Provost Company
Royal Air Force 103 RAF Beach Flight

No.8 Beach Group

[edit]

Landed on Nan, in the Juno landing area.

Composition[17]

Service Arm of Service
(Army only) 		Unit
Royal Navy Beach Commando Unit P
19th Beach Signals Section
Army Infantry 5th (Hackney) Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment
R.A.M.C. 32nd, 34th Field Dressing Stations
32nd Casualty Clearing Station
R.A.O.C. 45th Ordnance Ammunition Company
Pioneer Corps 115th, 144th, 170th Pioneer Companies
R.E.M.E. 23rd Beach Recovery Section
R.A.S.C. 140th Detail Issue Depot
30th Transport Company HQ
199th General Transport Company
242nd Petrol Company
Royal Engineers 20th Field Company
1034th Port Operating Company
20th Stores Section
59th Mechanised Equipment Section
966th Inland Water Transport
Military Police 242nd Provost Company
Royal Air Force 104 RAF Beach Flight

No.9 Beach Group

[edit]
Men of 98th Balloon Squadron R.A.F. pull a balloon winch over King Beach

Supported the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division landing on the King sector of the Gold, landing area.

Composition[18]

Service Arm of Service
(Army only) 		Unit
Royal Navy Beach Commando Units J, G & T
B10 Beach Signal Section
Army Infantry 2nd Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment
Royal Artillery Heavy Anti-Aircraft Detachments
Light Anti-Aircraft Detachments
R.A.M.C. 3rd, 32nd, 35th Field Dressing Stations
47th, 48th Field Sanitary Units
3rd, 10th Casualty Clearing Stations
24th, 30th Field Transfusion Units
R.A.O.C. 7th, 36th Ordnance Beach Detachment
Pioneer Corps 75th, 208th, 209th Pioneer Companies
R.E.M.E. 24th Beach Recovery Section
R.A.S.C. 2nd Detail Issue Depot
305th General Transport Companies
247th Petrol Depot
Royal Engineers 69th, 89th, 183rd Field Company
74th Mechanised Equipment Section
961st Inland Waterway Transport
1043rd Port operating Company
22nd Port Detachment
Military Police 243rd Provost Company
Royal Air Force 107th RAF Beach Flight
98th Balloon Squadron

No.10 Beach Group

[edit]

Landed on the Jig beaches, within the Gold sector.

Composition[19]

Service Arm of Service
(Army only) 		Unit
Royal Navy Beach Commando Unit Q
7th Beach Signal Section
Army Infantry 6th Battalion Border Regiment
Royal Artillery Anti-Aircraft Detachments
R.A.M.C. 25th, 31st Field Dressing Stations
30th, 41st, 42nd Field Sanitary Units
24th, 30th Field Transfusion Units
R.A.O.C. 12th Ordnance Beach Depot
Pioneer Corps 73rd, 112th, 120th, 173rd, 243rd Pioneer Companies
R.E.M.E. 25th Beach Recovery Section
R.A.S.C. 5th Detail Issue Depot
356th, 705th General Transport Companies
244th Petrol Depot[20]
Royal Engineers 90th Field Company
51st Mechanised Equipment Section
23rd, 1035th Port Operating Companies
23rd Stores Section
Military Police 240th Provost Company
Royal Air Force 108th RAF Beach Flight
55th Balloon Squadron

No. 20 Beach Group

[edit]
Highlanders assist with the unloading, while the beach group engineers prepare roads off the beach

This unit landed with the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division on Sicily on 10 July 1943.[12] The infantry component was two companies of the 2/4th Hampshire Regiment.

No. 21 Beach Group

[edit]

This unit also landed with the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division on Sicily on 10 July 1943.[12] The unit was used again and landed at Salerno on Sugar beach, supporting the 56th Infantry Division. It contained two companies of the Hampshire Regiment and the RAF's 81st and 82nd Auxiliary Embarkation Units.[13]

No.31 Beach Brick

[edit]

Formed on 13 April 1943 at Kabrit in Egypt, around the 7th Battalion Royal Marines. This unit was charged with training itself and then other units that were to form other Beach Bricks.[21] It landed on Sicily supporting the 231st Infantry Brigade at Marzamemi.[22]

No.32 Beach Brick

[edit]

Formed around the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, the Brick supported the 5th Infantry Division during the Sicily landings at Cassibile (beaches Nos. 45 and 46) south of Syracuse. The Brick again supported the 5th Division (13th Infantry Brigade) in the landings at Calabria on 3 September 1943 on George Beach.[23]

No.33 Beach Brick

[edit]

Formed on 1 April 1943 around 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the Brick supported the 17th Infantry Brigade of the 5th Infantry Division at George Beach (beach No. 44). On 27 July, the Highlanders were sent to the front line and the 1st Battalion Welch Regiment took their place from No. 34 Beach Brick. The Brick was reassembled with the Highlanders for the landings at Calabria, again with 17th Brigade, on How beach north of Torrente. The Brick was disbanded in November 1943.[24]

No.34 Beach Brick

[edit]

Formed on 1 June 1943 at Kabrit Egypt around the 1st Battalion, Welch Regiment, the Brick supported the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division during the Sicily Landings at Avola. For the landings at Calabria, the Brick supported the 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade on Fox beach north of Reggio de Calabria.[25] The Brick supported the Anzio landings with D Company of 18th Durham Light Infantry as the infantry component.[26] Denis Healey was a Beach Master for this operation.[27]

No.35 Beach Brick

[edit]

Formed around the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry at Kabrit, it transferred to Algeria in July for training and then to Tunisia for more training with the 46th Infantry Division, whom it supported in the landings at Salerno on Uncle beach.[28]

No.36 Beach Brick

[edit]

Formed on 20 July 1943 at Kabrit in Egypt around the dismounted men of 8th Royal Tank Regiment. The brick was sent to Palestine in August, around plans for capture of Rhodes in late 1943. This was cancelled and the Brick transferred to the UK in early 1944. By this time, 8th Royal Tank Regiment had left the Brick and been re-equipped with tanks; 18th Durham Light Infantry took their place.[29] For the Normandy landings, the Brick was in reserve for Gold.

Composition (Normandy)[30]

Service Arm of Service
(Army only) 		Unit
Army Infantry 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Royal Artillery HQ 100th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment
305th Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery
328th Light Anti Aircraft Battery
R.A.M.C. Detachments
R.A.O.C. Detachments
R.E.M.E. Detachments
R.A.S.C. Detail Issue Depot
Royal Engineers 503rd Field Company
Mechanised Equipment Company
Military Police Provost Detachment
Royal Air Force 15th RAF Beach Flight (?)

Awards

[edit]

Men of the Beach Groups and Bricks received the following awards during their service. This list is incomplete.

During the Salerno landings, the Distinguished Service Order was awarded to Wing Commander Rowland George O.B.E., and the Military Cross was awarded to Major Cameron (18th Durham Light Infantry) and Flight Lieutenant John Dobbin, who organised the beaches and cleared vehicle congestion while under fire.[29][31]

During the Normandy Landings, the following Beach Commandos of Nos 5 and 6 Beach Groups received Awards.[32]

Award Commando
Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) Lt Cdr Edward F. Gueritz RN
Sub Lt James H Speed RNVR
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) Sub Lt William Pittendrig RNVR
Sub Lt S.E. Willis RNVR
Sub Lt P.D. Anderton RNVR
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) AB Sidney Compston
AB William D Crook
LS Albert Charles Davy
AB Charles William Day
AB Donald Emery
LS Thomas William Gooding
AB Thomas Hunt
PO Frederick Raymond Smith
PO George Colin Richards
AB Edward George Saunders
PO George Graham Tapley
Croix de guerre Sub Lt Richard H Dongar RNVR
AB Alan Watersworth

Members of the Royal Navy beach signals sections won the following.[33]

Award Recipient
DSC Lt Robert Billington RNVR
DSM Telegraphist Ronald Arthur Bateson
Coder Geoffrey Harris
Telegraphist Harry Monks
Telegraphist William George Quinn
Telegraphist Abraham Acton Parr
Telegraphist Kennet Eifon Penny
Acting Telegraphist Edwin William Sutton
Croix de Guerre Coder Willian B Leggate

On 8 June, a German fighter plane dropped a bomb on the petrol and ammunition depot on Sword, with the ensuing fire threatening to destroy large quantities of supplies. Men of 5 and 6 Beach Groups worked to save the supplies; seven of whom were awarded the George Medal.[34]

  • Lt.Col. R D R Sale (1 Bucks)
  • Maj. L Pepper (RAOC)
  • Lt. E Fairbrother (RE)
  • Sgt H Grant (Pioneers)
  • Sgt J S MacGowen (RAOC)
  • Sgt A G Wakeford (RASC)
  • Pte A Catley (Pioneers)

Australian Beach Groups

[edit]

Two Australian beach groups were formed in June 1944, and saw action in the Borneo campaign in 1945.

1st Beach Group

[edit]

Supported the 9th Division in the landings at Brunei and Labuan. It was commanded by Colonel C. J. Cummings.[35]

Composition [35]

Service Arm of Service
(Army only) 		Unit
Royal Australian Navy Beach Commando A
Beach Commando C
2nd Beach Signals Section
Army Pioneers 2/4th Pioneer Battalion
Medical 1st A.A.M.C. Company
20th Malaria Control Unit
Ordnance 2nd Ordnance Beach Detachment
A.E.M.E. 1st Beach Workshop
A.A.S.C. HQ 2/166th General Transport Company
2/47th Transport Platoon
2/48th Transport Platoon
2/166th Workshop Platoon
2/240th Supply Depot Platoon
57th B.I.P.O.D.
Engineers 2/15th Field Company
1st Mechanical Equipment Platoon
1st Engineer Stores Platoon
Provost 15th Independent Brigade Group Provost Platoon
Salvage 3rd Armoured Division Salvage Unit

2nd Beach Group

[edit]

Supported the 9th Division in the Battle of Tarakan and the 7th Division in the Battle of Balikpapan. It was commanded by Colonel C. R. Hodgson.[35]

Composition [35]

Service Arm of Service
(Army only) 		Unit
Royal Australian Navy Beach Commando B
Beach Commando D
1st Beach Signals Section
Army Pioneers 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion
Medical 2nd A.A.M.C. Company
23rd Malaria Control Unit
Ordnance 1st Ordnance Beach Detachment
A.E.M.E. 2nd Beach Workshop
A.A.S.C. HQ 2/108th General Transport Company
2/45th Transport Platoon
2/46th Transport Platoon
2/108th Workshop Platoon
2/235th Supply Depot Platoon
58th B.I.P.O.D.
Engineers 2/11th Field Company
2nd Mechanical Equipment Platoon
2nd Engineer Stores Platoon
Provost 17th Independent Brigade Group Provost Platoon
Salvage 1st Armoured Division Salvage Unit

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 14.
  2. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 19.
  3. ^ a b Rogers (2012), pp. 31–33.
  4. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 20.
  5. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 167.
  6. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 134.
  7. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 131.
  8. ^ Forty (1998), p. 137.
  9. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 67–68.
  10. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 58–59.
  11. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 30.
  12. ^ a b c d Fenton, J. M. (2016). "Operation "HUSKY" – The Invasion of Sicily". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  13. ^ a b Fenton, J. M. (2016). "Operation "AVALANCHE" – Assault Landings at Salerno". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  14. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 99–100.
  15. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 115.
  16. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 127–128.
  17. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 138–139.
  18. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 156–157.
  19. ^ Rogers (2012), pp. 166–167.
  20. ^ Latham, H.B. (1958). "The Assault Landings in Normandy: Order of Battle, Second British Army". Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  21. ^ "Royal Marines in Combined Operations 1939-45". Royal Marines Museum. 2014. Archived from the original on 13 January 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  22. ^ Fenton, J. M. (2016). "31 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  23. ^ Fenton, J. M. (2016). "32 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  24. ^ Fenton, J. M. (2016). "33 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  25. ^ Fenton, J. M. (2016). "34 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  26. ^ Ward p. 463
  27. ^ "Obituary: Denis Healey". The Daily Telegraph. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  28. ^ Fenton, J. M. (2016). "35 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  29. ^ a b Fenton, J. M. (2016). "36 Beach Brick, R.A.F. Component". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  30. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 21.
  31. ^ Fenton, J. M. (2016). "Honours and Awards for R.A.F. Beach Unit Personnel". Royal Air Force Beach Units. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  32. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 110 & 117.
  33. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 63.
  34. ^ Rogers (2012), p. 96.
  35. ^ a b c d "Order of Battle 1 and 2 Beach Groups", 22 June 1944, AWM54 721/29/11

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Forty, George (1998). Companion to the British Army 1939–1945 (3rd ed.). Stroud: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-5240-1.
  • Rogers, Joseph & David (2012). D-Day Beach Force: The Men who Turned Chaos into Order (1st ed.). Stroud: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-6330-8.

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