1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade was created on 1 September 1943 when Czechoslovak 1st Infantry Brigade converted to armour and redesignated 1st Czechoslovak Independent Armoured Brigade Group (this was often simplified to 1st Czechoslovak Armoured Brigade or abbreviated 1st CSIABG). The formation continued to train in the UK until the summer of 1944 when, with some 4000 troops under command, it moved to Normandy under 21st Army Group. At the beginning of October the brigade advanced to Dunkirk and relieved Canadian troops in the siege of the German-held fortress of Dunkirk, coming under Canadian 1st Army. September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Flag of Normandy Normandy (in French: Normandie, and in Norman: Normaundie) is a geographical region in northern France. ... (Redirected from 21st Army Group) The British 21st Army Group was an important Allied force in the European Theatre of World War II. Commanded by Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery it initially controlled all ground forces in Operation Overlord. ... Location within France For the battleship, see Dunkerque Dunkirk (French: Dunkerque; Dutch: Duinkerke; German: Dünkirchen) is a harbour city and a commune in the northernmost part of France, in the département of Nord, 10 km from the Belgian border. ... The First Canadian Army was the senior Canadian operational formation in Europe during the Second World War. ...

1st Brigade spent the remainder of the war at Dunkirk, alternately attacking and being attacked by the energetic German garrison. During that time the brigade was reinforced by French units formed from local FFI forces; on 15 October these were amalgamated into the 110th French Infantry Regiment of two battalions, and on 24 January 1945 the regiment was redesignated 51st French Infantry Regiment and expanded to four battalions. Various British and Canadian formations also supported the siege at one time or another. October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years). ... January 24 is the 24th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday. ...

In November the brigade passed from Canadian 1st Army back to direct control of Montgomery’s 21st Army Group. In the spring of 1945 the 1st Armoured Brigade Group was expanded to 5900 Czechoslovak officers and men, some of whom came from nationals recruited in liberated France, and some from countrymen forced to serve in the Wehrmacht and were then captured by the Allies. The First Canadian Army was the senior Canadian operational formation in Europe during the Second World War. ... Wehrmacht   (armed forces, literally defence force(s)) was the name of the armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. ...

The Dunkirk garrison did not surrender until 9 May 1945, at which time 15,500 German troops and three U-boats were taken by the Czechoslovaks. May 9 is the 129th day of the year (130th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday. ... U-boat is also a nickname for some diesel locomotives built by GE; see List of GE locomotives October 1939. ...

Organization in September 1944:

1st Czechoslovak Tank Battalion

2nd Czechoslovak Tank Battalion

1st Czechoslovak Motorized Infantry Battalion (two companies)

artillery regiment (two battalions)

anti-tank battalion

reconnaissance battalion

Organization in May 1945:

1st Czechoslovak Tank Battalion

2nd Czechoslovak Tank Battalion

3rd Czechoslovak Tank Battalion

1st Czechoslovak Motorized Infantry Battalion (three companies)

artillery regiment (three battalions)

anti-tank battalion

reconnaissance battalion