| 100th Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1914–1918, 1945–1946 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Infantry |
| Part of | 33rd Division (United Kingdom) |
| Engagements | Western Front,War in Vietnam (1945–1946) |
The100th Brigade was a formation of the British Army founded during World War I. It was raised as part of the new army also known asKitchener's Army and assigned to the33rd Division. The brigade served on theWestern Front. The brigade saw additional action during Britain's involvement in Vietnam following the Second World War.
The 100th Brigade, arrived atSaleux, France on 9 July 1916, arrived atMorlancourt on 11 July,Bécordel-Bécourt on 12 July, and Flatiron Copse on 14 July. It beganan attack on High Wood, a small but highly contested forested area in the Somme, on 15 July during the Allied withdrawal, withdrew itself toMametz Wood on 16 July, and returned to Becordel-Becourt on 22 July.[1] The brigade camped betweenAlbert andDernancourt on 23 July, and went to reinforce the6th Seaforth battalion who were entrenched near High Wood. The 2nd Battalion then advanced with a new trench on 9 August and was replaced by the 16th Battalion of theKing's Royal Rifle Corps, which was also part of the 100th Brigade. The 2nd Battalion then traveled to Mametz Wood on 10 August, Becordel-Becourt on 13 August, andDelville Wood on 19 August. On 24 August, the 100th Brigade attacked Tea Trench near High Wood but failed to take the position.[2] The brigade was then relieved, traveled toRibemont on 30 August, toMolliens-au-Bois on 31 August, to the north ofGommecourt on 19 September, and toCorbie on 19 October. It then relieved the 2ndWorcestershire Regiment at Frosty Trench on 2 November, and successfully took Hazy Trench on 5 November. It then traveled toCarnoy on 6 November, Citadel Camp on 7 November, andAiraines on 10 November.[3]
During Britain's involvement in protecting French-held Vietnam from the communistViet Minh, GeneralDouglas Gracey called for reinforcements, namely the32nd Brigade (United Kingdom) and the 100th Brigade. Upon its arrival atSaigon on 17 October 1945, led by Lt. Colonel C.H.B. Rodham, the brigade was ordered to retake the region in between the towns ofThủ Đức,Biên Hòa, andThủ Dầu Một from the Viet Minh. The operation to control that region began on 23 October, with the brigade occupying Thu Duc on the same day, Bien Hoa the next, and Thu Dau Mot on 25 October. This action allowed General Gracey to gather and transport to Japan the Japanese troops remaining in Vietnam from the recently ended Second World War.[4] On 27 December, the 100th Brigade was tasked with maintaining control in Saigon and deporting the remaining Japanese forces. Based on a scouting report received on 31 December, the brigade mounted an attack on Viet Minh positions from 1–5 January 1946, and defended an assault from the Viet Minh on 3 January. In concordance with the drawdown of British forces so that French colonial forces would control the entirety of Vietnam, the80th Brigade (operating in Vietnam with the 100th Brigade) was taken off duty on 11 January and departed Vietnam on 22 January. General Gracey departed Vietnam on 28 January, and the 100th Brigade left Saigon for good on 8 February in theSS Cameronia, concluding their action in Vietnam.[5]
The infantry battalions did not all serve at once, but all were assigned to the brigade during the war: