22nd Armored Brigade, Royal Tank Corps WWII.
Elks Head

The 22nd Armored Brigade formed in September 1939. In January 1940, the brigade joined the 2nd Armored Division and began training in the UK. As the 1st Armored Division had priority in acquiring equipment, the Brigade received very few tanks during the phony war period. After the German victory in Western Europe in June 1940 and the BEF's evacuation, 2nd Armored Division was then given priority in equipment acquisition. The Brigade trained and remained on home guard with the 2nd Armored Division until October 1940 against possible German invasion, when it transferred to the 1st Armored Division.
In the Summer of 1941, 22nd Armored Brigade shipped out to Egypt where they re-equipped with new Crusader tanks and trained for desert operations. The Brigade fought its first battle during Operation Crusader in November-December of 1941. 1942 Saw the brigade (now permanently part of 7th Armored Division) fight from Gazala to El Alamein and back to Libya. 1943 meant final pursuit of the Afrika Korp into Tunisia and its surrender in May. In September the Brigade landed at Salerno, Italy and fought North until November when 22nd Armored Brigade shipped out to England to prepare for Operation Overlord. The 22nd Armored Brigade was fully equipped with the new Cromwell tanks (except for the usual compliment of Firefly Shermans in other Brigades).
22nd Armored Brigade landed on Gold Beach, Normandy, on June 6th and 7th, 1944. The Brigade fought in all the battles around Caen, and once the breakout was achieved, raced across Northern France and Belgium, liberating Ghent. Following this they had a minor role in Operation Market Garden and further probing attacks in Holland until Operation Blackcock and then crossing the Rhine in March 1945. VE Day found the 22nd Armored Brigade in Hamburg having taken it on May 3, 1945.