This forum doesn't seem to have attracted any ORBAT fanatics as yet but can anyone give me a breakdown of 53rd and 61st Divisions, stationed in Northern Ireland in 1940, who were earmarked for the W Plan, a hypothetical invasion of the Republic if a German takeover of Eire seemed imminent? The plan is briefly described in Robert Fisk's history of Ireland during World War II:'In Time of War'. 53rd Division, reinforced by 5th Cheshires and supported by Royal Marines from Milford Haven, would advance to Dublin, while 61st would move into Donegal and secure the port of Lough Swilly for the Royal Navy.
Hi Mark, I realise this may be late, but I have only just joined this site. I have been looking into the 61st Infantry Div info as my father was involved via the 2/7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Hope the info below is of use TD 61st Infantry Division - Moved to Northern Ireland District on 20 Jun. 1940. Transferred to British Troops, Northern Ireland on 12 Jul. 1940 and remained in Northern Ireland until 2 Feb. 1943 61st Reconnaissance Btn. - From 14 Sept. 1941. 2nd/8th Btn., The Middlesex Regiment M-G - Renamed 1st Btn. on 20 May 1942 119th, 120th, 145th Field Regiments, RA 71st Anti-Tank Regiment, RA - From 12 Feb. 1941 to 20 Jun. 1941 266th, 267th, 268th Field Companies, RE 269th Field Park Company, RE 182nd Infantry Brigade 2nd/7th, 9th Btn.s, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment 9th Btn., The Worcestershire Regiment 182nd Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company - From 2 Sept. 1940 to 6 Oct. 1941 183rd Infantry Brigade 7th Btn., The Gloucestershire Regiment 10th Btn., The Worcestershire Regiment 4th Btn., The Northamptonshire Regiment 183rd Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company - From 23 Sept. 1940 to 11 May 1941 184th Infantry Brigade 5th Btn., The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 2nd Buckinghamshire Btn. 6th Btn., The Royal Berkshire Regiment 184th Infantry Brigade Anti-Tank Company - From 2 Sept. 1940 to 6 Sept. 1941 Edited to add - also just found http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plan_W
