The 158th Infantry Brigade formed part of the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

. It fought with the division throughout the North-West Europe campaign, before finally being disbanded in March 1947.

The Brigade's Victoria Cross

During operations undertaken by the Brigade to close the Falaise Pocket

Falaise pocket

The battle of the Falaise Pocket, fought during the Second World War from 12 to 21 August 1944, was the decisive engagement of the Battle of Normandy...

, heavy fighting took place on 16 August around the town of Balfour. During this action, Captain Tasker Watkins

Tasker Watkins

The Rt Hon Sir Tasker Watkins VC GBE PC was a Lord Justice of Appeal and deputy Lord Chief Justice...

, commanding B Company of 1/5th Battalion, The Welch Regiment, personally led a charge across a heavily defended stretch of open ground, reaching and personally eliminating an enemy position in spite of his companies' very heavy losses. For this action, he received the Victoria Cross

Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....

.

Order of battle

• 4th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (until 26 August 1944)
• 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (until 26 August 1944)
• 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers
• 1/5th Battalion, Welch Regiment (from 26 August 1944)
• 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (from 26 August 1944)