33rd Armoured Bde were an independent armoured bde, this means the were essentially general reserve units whose primary role was to support infantry divisions.
33rd did not include infantry as some Armoured bdes did.
They had a total strength of 3,400 all ranks.
The bde was formed in 1942, and spent the next years up until 1944 in training and home defence. within the bde were x2 Yeomanry units, the Northamptonshire Yeomanry and from 16th Aug 1944, the East Riding Yeomany.
The unit had been hard hit at Caen, with the Northamptonshires being virtually wiped out. This did not stop them claiming the major kill of the year when they scored a direct hit from a Sherman Firefly on the German Tank Ace Michael Wittmann.
They were in North west Europe from 13th June (D-Day +7) until 21st Aug 1944. Their commander was Brig HB Scott.
The bde was involved heavily in the major tank battle at Caen.
