Operation Brevity order of battle facts for kids

Operation Brevity was a short battle during World War II in North Africa. It happened on May 15–16, 1941. This page tells you about the different military units and their equipment that fought in this battle. This is called an "order of battle." The battle was between the British Commonwealth forces and the Axis Powers (which included Germany and Italy).

British Commonwealth Forces

The main leader for the British Commonwealth forces in the Middle East was General Archibald Wavell.

The forces fighting in the desert were led by Lieutenant-General Noel Beresford-Peirse. The actual fighting during Operation Brevity was commanded by Brigadier William Gott.

Most of the British and Commonwealth soldiers came from the 7th Armoured Division. This division had two main parts involved: the 7th Armoured Brigade and the 7th Support Group. There was also an independent group called the 22nd Guards Brigade.

These forces were organized into three main groups for the battle:

Coast Group

This group was responsible for fighting near the coast.

• It included soldiers from the 2nd battalion of The Rifle Brigade.
• They had mortar support from the 3rd battalion of the Coldstream Guards. Mortars are weapons that fire shells in a high arc.
• They also had anti-tank guns (called 2 Pounder Anti Tank guns) from the 5th Australian Anti-tank Battery. These guns were used to stop enemy tanks.
• For artillery support, they had 25 Pounder Field guns from the 8th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Field guns are larger cannons used to fire at targets far away.

22nd Guards Brigade Group

This group was made up of several infantry (foot soldier) battalions and tanks.

• Soldiers from the 1st battalion Durham Light Infantry.
• Soldiers from the 2nd battalion Scots Guards.
• Soldiers from the 3rd battalion Coldstream Guards.
• They had 24 Matilda Mk II Infantry tanks from the 4th Royal Tank Regiment. Matilda tanks were heavily armored and moved slowly.
• They also had a small group of 2 Pounder Anti Tank guns from the 12th Anti-Tank Battery.

7th Armoured Brigade Group

This group mainly consisted of tanks and scouting vehicles.

• A company (a small group) of soldiers from the 2nd battalion The Rifle Brigade.
• They had 29 Cruiser tanks from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment. Cruiser tanks were faster than Matilda tanks and designed for quick attacks.
• Scouting vehicles called Light Tank Mk VIB from the 6th Australian Division Cavalry. These were light tanks used for reconnaissance (finding out where the enemy is).
• Elements (parts) of the 7th Support Group.
• Marmon-Herrington Armoured Cars from the 11th Hussars. These were armored cars used for scouting and quick attacks.
• Another small group of 2 Pounder Anti-Tank guns from the 12th Anti-Tank Battery.

German and Italian Forces

The overall commander for the Axis forces was General Italo Gariboldi.

The main German force was the Afrika Korps, led by Major General Erwin Rommel.

Afrika Korps Units

• Kampfgruppe von Herff: This was a battle group put together for this specific fight.
  • It included Reconnaissance Battalion 3 and Reconnaissance Battalion 33. Reconnaissance units are like scouts, they go ahead to find the enemy.
  • They had tanks from the 2nd Battalion, Panzer Regiment 5. Panzer is the German word for tank.
  • Motorcycle Battalion 15, which were soldiers who moved quickly on motorcycles.
  • One Motorised Infantry Battalion from the 102 Motorised Division Trento. Motorised infantry are soldiers who ride in trucks or other vehicles.
  • They had powerful 88 mm Anti-aircraft guns, which were also very effective against tanks.
  • They also had smaller 20 mm Anti-aircraft guns.
  • For artillery, they had two 105mm leFH Howitzers. Howitzers are cannons that fire shells in a high arc, good for hitting targets behind hills.

Italian Forces

• Defending the border:
  • Two Companies of the 5th Motorised Infantry Battalion.
  • One Mountain Gun Battery with Cannone da 75/27 guns. These are smaller cannons designed for use in difficult terrain.
  • One Anti-Tank Battery with Cannone da 47/32 M35 guns.
  • Group Two, 24th artillery regiment, with 12 Cannone da 105/28 field guns.

• Defending Bardia:
  • The 2nd Battalion, 62nd Infantry Regiment.
  • One Anti-Tank Battery with Cannone da 47/32 M35 guns.
  • One Anti-aircraft Battery with 20 mm Anti-aircraft guns.

German Reinforcements

After the British attacks, General Rommel sent more forces to the front line. These were led by Lieutenant-Colonel Hans Crammer.

• The 1st Battalion, Panzer Regiment 8 (more tanks).
• One Flak battery (anti-aircraft guns).

On the morning of May 16, Rommel sent even more forces to the border.

• Kampfgrppe von Esebeck: Another battle group.
  • One battalion from Schuetzen Regiment 200 (infantry).
  • A Medium tank Company (most of its tanks) from the 1st Battalion, Panzer Regiment 5.
  • One Panzerjäger Company. Panzerjäger means "tank hunter," these units had anti-tank guns.
  • One artillery battalion (most of its cannons).

See also

• List of orders of battle