72nd Brigade (United Kingdom)

In January 1941, the 72nd Independent Infantry Brigade was formed. In 1943, the Brigade HQ was re-designated the 5th Parachute Brigade after its units were dispersed.^[5] A new 72nd Infantry Brigade was formed on 28 April 1944 from the 72nd Indian Infantry Brigade which was renamed and joined the 36th Infantry Division.^[6]

During the Second World War the following units served in the Brigade.^[5]

• As the 72nd Independent Infantry Brigade
  • 13th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (21 January 1941 — 24 September 1942)
  • 6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (21 January 1941 — 14 January 1942)
  • 15th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment (21 January 1941 — 25 May 1942)
  • 4th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (14 January 1942 — 8 October 1942)
  • 11th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment (8 October 1941 — 25 May 1943)
  • 9th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry (9 September 1942 — 21 May 1943)
• As the 72nd Infantry Brigade in India
  • 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers (28 April 1944 — 18 July 1945)
  • 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment (28 April 1944 — 31 August 1945)
  • 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment (28 April 1944 — 31 August 1945)

• Cole, Howard (1973). Formation Badges of World War 2 Britain, Commonwealth and Empire. London: Arms and Armour Press.
• Hibbard, Mike; Gibbs, Gary (2016). Infantry Divisions, Identification Schemes 1917 (1 ed.). Wokingham: The Military History Society.
• Joslen, H. F. (2003) [1960]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939–1945. Uckfield, East Sussex: Naval and Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84342-474-1.