158th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)

The 158th Infantry Brigade formed part of the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division during World War II. It fought with the division throughout the North-West Europe campaign, before finally being disbanded in March 1947.

The Brigade's Victoria Cross
During operations undertaken by the Brigade to close the Falaise Pocket, heavy fighting took place on 16 August around the town of Balfour. During this action, Captain Tasker Watkins, commanding B Company of 1/5th Battalion, The Welch Regiment, personally led a charge across a heavily defended stretch of open ground, reaching and personally eliminating an enemy position in spite of his companies' very heavy losses. For this action, he received the Victoria Cross.

Order of battle

 * 4th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (until 26 August 1944)
 * 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (until 26 August 1944)
 * 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers
 * 1/5th Battalion, Welch Regiment (from 26 August 1944)
 * 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (from 26 August 1944)