Formation patch 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division (canvas)

A yellow Wyvern facing left on a blue square.

UITVERKOCHT / SOLD
Betaalwijzes

The badge is a 'wyvern', the emblem of the ancient kings of Wessex. This was appropriate for a formation comprising units that came primarily from the old Kingdom of Wessex, with battalions from the Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset and Hampshire regiments. The 43rd was a first-line Territorial Division in the UK at the outbreak of war. It was reorganized as a mixed division (i.e. with one armoured and two infantry brigades - 129 & 130 Bdes. & 25, then 34, Tank Bdes.) in June 1942 and re-converted to an infantry division in September 1943. The Division landed in Normandy on 24 June and took part in the bridgehead battles before fighting as part of 21st Army Group throughout the remainder of the North West Europe campaign. Immediately after the war it formed part of XXX Corps District in the occupation of Germany. The Division was rather unusually under the same commander, Major-General G I (Ivor) Thomas, from March 1942 to the end of the war. It was recognized as one of the most effective formations in 21st Army Group. 

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