Formed in June 1941, the Guards Armoured Division proved that Household Troops could adapt their legendary high standards to a totally new role. Deploying to Normandy in 1944 under Major General Sir Allan Adair, the Division acquitted itself with distinction in the costly Operation GOODWOOD. After the break-out, the Welsh Guards liberated Brussels on 3 September and the Division played a leading role in Operation MARKET GARDEN. In early 1945, the Division fought in Operation VERITABLE, breaking General Schlemm s lateral line near Menzelen. The Rhine crossing followed, with the Guards Armoured leading XXX Corps towards Bremen and Hamburg. Guardsman Edward Charlton, Irish Guards, severely wounded, broke up a counter-attack and earned the last VC of the European war. The Story of The Guards Armoured Division is a classic account of the Division s superb fighting record.
