168th (2nd London) Brigade

The 168th (2nd London) Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Army that saw service during both World War I and World War II

Territorial Army formation of the British Army during the Second World War. The brigade was assigned to the 1st (London) Division which was organised as a motorized division with two infantry brigades, and later reorganised as an infantry division with three brigades, becoming the 56th (London) Infantry Division. The 2nd London Infantry Brigade was renumbered as the 168th (London) Infantry Brigade. The division remained in the United Kingdom during the Battle of France and would do so for the next two years in training, defending and guarding the United Kingdom against a possible German invasion.

In November 1942, the 56th Division moved to the Middle East where it served in Iraq and Palestine until moving to Egypt in March 1943 and thence forward to Libya, and the front, in April. On 9 April 1943 the 168th Infantry Brigade was detached from the division and initially became an independent brigade group. However, on 29 May 1943, the brigade was temporarily attached to the understrength 50th Infantry Division which had suffered heavy casualties in North Africa. In July 1943, with the 50th Division, the 168th Brigade fought in the invasion of Sicily. In October 1943 the 50th Division returned to the United Kingdom and the 168th Brigade rejoined the 56th Division fighting in Italy after fighting in the Battle for the Salerno beachhead. The brigade, temporarily under command of the 1st Division, saw fierce fighting in the landings at Anzio when they landed in February 1944 and saw extremely heavy casualties with a battalion, 10th Royal Berkshires, being reduced to only around 40 men fit for duty. With the 56th Division, the brigade was withdrawn to Egypt in March 1944 where it was disbanded, with the 1st London Scottish and 1st London Irish Rifles being sent to the 167th (London) Infantry Brigade and the men of the 10th Royal Berkshires being sent to other units of the division as infantry battle casualty replacements.

Attached Units

 * 1st Battalion, London Rifle Brigade (The Rifle Brigade)
 * 1st Battalion, Queen's Westminsters (King's Royal Rifle Corps)
 * 1st Battalion, London Scottish, Gordon Highlanders (to March 1944)
 * 1st Battalion, London Irish Rifles, Royal Ulster Rifles (to March 1944)
 * 10th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment