11th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters South East


The 11th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters South East is a regular British Army brigade formation that is part of the Army's 'Adaptable Force' meaning it has operational units under command, as well as regional responsibilities across the South East of England. The Brigade was re-established on 1 August 2014 when 145 Brigade was re-designated as Headquarters 11th Infantry Brigade. In December 2014 the brigade merged with 2 Brigade to form Headquarters 11th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters South East. 11th Infantry Brigade is also regionally aligned with the southern and eastern African region as part of defence engagement.
The brigade served in both World War I and World War II. Deactivated in 1958, it was reactivated in 2008 to assume command of the planned Operation Herrick deployment to Afghanistan in late 2009.

History

First World War

The 11th Infantry Brigade was part of the 4th Division. It was one of the British units sent overseas to France on the outbreak of the Great War in August 1914. It was part of the British Expeditionary Force and fought on the Western Front for the next four years.

Second World War

The 11th Infantry Brigade was originally part of the 4th Infantry Division as it was during the First World War, serving with it during the Battle of France and was evacuated at Dunkirk in late May 1940 and then in the United Kingdom up until 6 June 1942 when it was reassigned to join 78th Infantry Division which was being newly formed to take part in Operation Torch as part of the British First Army. The brigade landed in North Africa at Algiers in November 1942 and fought with 78th Division throughout the Tunisian Campaign which ended with the Axis surrender in May 1943. It then served with 78th Division throughout the campaigns in Sicily and Italy.

Commanders

Commanders included:
In 2008, it was announced that 11 Light Brigade would be reformed to assume command of the planned Operation Herrick deployment to Afghanistan in late 2009. The Brigade was headquartered in Aldershot and was formed using units from existing formations. It was commanded by Brigadier James Cowan. It was disbanded in 2010 on its return from Afghanistan, with its component units returning to their previous formations.
During the Brigades deployment in Helmand, Afghanistan, it also commanded a Danish Battalion from the Royal Danish Guard Hussar Regiment with its own logistical detachment.

Current formation

11th Infantry Brigade

The 11th Infantry Brigade is the 'South East' Infantry Brigade for the 1st Division headquartered in Aldershot. It comprises the following units:
Units managed by HQ South East include: