7th Support Group (United Kingdom) explained

Unit Name:7th Support Group
Dates:22 January 1940–9 February 1942
Country: United Kingdom
Type:Armoured Support Group
Role:Armoured Division Support
Size:Brigade
Command Structure:7th Armoured Division
1st Armoured Division
Notable Commanders:William Gott
John Campbell
Identification Symbol:Red Desert Jerboa

The 7th Support Group was a supporting formation within the British 7th Armoured Division, active during the Second World War's Western Desert Campaign.

History

The 7th Support Group was formed from the expansion of the 7th Armoured Division's existing pivot group. The pivot group, and later the support group, controlled the division's motorised infantry, field artillery, anti-tank guns, and light anti-aircraft guns. While the artillery would provide support for the tanks on an attack, the infantry were intended to protect the division's base or occupy territory captured by the tanks and not supplement them. Towards the end of Operation Crusader, the support group joined the 1st Armoured Division for a couple of weeks before reverting to the command of the 7th Armoured Division. The 7th Support Group was abolished in February 1942, after Crusader came to an end, following a reorganization of the British armoured forces in North Africa.

Commanders

Order of battle

Western Desert Force, 1939

Operation Compass

Operation Battleaxe, June 1941

Operation Crusader, November 1941

References

See also

External links