[Bill Alexander]

Hi, Could some clarification be added? The reference is made to Op Husky, in which the 1st Canadian Army Tank Battalion landed in Sicily. However it is my understanding that this did not spur the change in designation from Army Tank Brigade to Armoured Brigade. The "army tank brigade" was tasked for close infantry support and equiped with "infantry tanks", the Churchill. The armoured brigade was equiped with "cruiser" type tanks, the Sherman, and employed in a variety of tasks, both infantry support and armoured support. Montgomery had established a policy that armoured brigades be able to work with both infantry divisions and armoured divisions.
The actual change in designation for the Canadian army tank battalion in Italy took place effective August 26, 1944. This was well after the invasion of Sicily, essentially after hostilities on the island had ended. The 1st Cdn Army Tank Bn had been equiped with the Sherman upon landing in Sicily and as early as April 1943. The 2nd Army Tank Brigade had been redesignated 2nd Armoured Brigade in July of 1943.
Could you also clarify the comments about 21st Army Group? This fromation served in Northwest Europe, and 1st Armoured Bde served in Italy. 2nd Armoured Brigade served in NW Europe in the capacity of an armoured brigade, and thus was required to support either infantry or amoured divisions. The armoured regiments of the 2nd Armoured Brigade had to support infantry battalions in both the 2nd Cdn Inf and 3rd Cdn Inf Div and the 4th Cdn Armd Div. To be able to carry out this tasking, consistent with Montgomery's policy, the Canadian independent armoured brigades were all "armoured" and not "army tank battalions".