226th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)

The 226th Infantry Brigade was a British Army formation that existed during the Second World War. It was raised in the United Kingdom as part of the general expansion of the army during the early years of the war.

History:

The brigade was formed in 1940. During its existence, it primarily served in a home defence role, responsible for the security of specific areas within the United Kingdom. This involved manning coastal defenses, guarding vulnerable points, and preparing to repel any potential invasion. The units assigned to the brigade changed periodically as personnel were trained and then posted overseas for active service. The brigade's composition generally consisted of infantry battalions, often drawn from territorial units.

Due to the changing strategic needs of the war, and particularly as the threat of invasion diminished, the 226th Infantry Brigade was eventually disbanded. This occurred in 1944. Its constituent units were either reassigned to other formations or broken up to provide reinforcements for existing units fighting in the ongoing campaigns in Europe.

Role:

The primary role of the 226th Infantry Brigade was internal defense and security. It was not designed or equipped for offensive operations abroad. Its existence reflects the significant concern within the United Kingdom during the war years about the possibility of German invasion and the need to maintain a robust home defense force.