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The 79th Armoured Division was a specialist British Army armoured unit formed as part of the preparations for the Normandy Invasion of 6 June 1944 . The unit comprised armoured vehicles modified for specialist roles, intended to assist with the landing phase of the operation. The unit was commanded by Major General (later Sir) Percy Hobart , and the strange-looking tanks it operated were known as Hobart's Funnies . They included tanks that floated, could clear mines, carry and lay bridges, and roadways - anything that would enable the invasion force to get ashore and break through the German defences. The unit did not operate as a single division, its vehicles were distributed as small units across the Divisions taking part in the landings and subsequent operations. The Division was further used during the Rhine crossings, (Operation '' Plunder ''), to transport the assault troops and to re-supply. HISTORY The 79th was raised as a conventional armoured division. It was formed from
made up of three armoured regiments:
Infantry from battalions of three regiments;
The Division also had the usual contingents of Royal Artillery , Royal Engineers and other Army units attached. After formation in October 1942, the 79th, based at the time mostly in Yorkshire, trained as a regular armoured division for about six months before the change of role. The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, two Canadian units, the 1st Hussars and Fort Garry Horse and three American units joined for training on the DD Tanks . In mid 1943 the Assault Brigade RE was formed, its units were the ''Assault Squadrons RE'' The 79th Armoured Division was disbanded on 20 August 1945 . SEE ALSO |
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