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Formed
as a Territorial Force Division following the Haldane reforms of the army
of 1908, this Division was to become one of Scotland’s most famous
formations and, by the end of the First World War, the 51st had gained
such a reputation for themselves that they were considered the finest
Division in France, Regular or Territorial.
They did not however have a good start. They moved to France in April and
May 1915 and were more than upset that their number was changed from 1st
to 51st Division, with three Brigades numbered 152, 153 and 154. In a
period of initial inactivity, and consigned to the reserve, the Division
was nicknamed “Harper’s Duds” after the name of their Divisional Commander
and the Divisional sign which appeared on their vehicles, “HD”.
On the 13th November 1916 however the 51st took part in the Battle of the
Ancre and were assigned an area in front of Beaumont-Hammel. The ground
that they had to cover was already littered with dead from the July
offensive and was intersected by a deep fold in the ground known on the
battle maps as Y Ravine. The Division stormed the position with such
determination and momentum that it was without doubt on of the greatest
feats of the war. Between six and seven thousand prisoners were taken.
The 51st maintained this fearsome reputation to the end of the 1st World
War in spite of total casualties which amounted to almost seven times the
divisional strength. The French took them to their hearts and to the end
they were considered one of the most reliable Divisions on the Western
Front. Their Divisional Commanders, Bannatyne-Allason, Harper (known as
“Uncle Harper”) and Carter Campbell were national heroes and household
words.
The 51st was again mobilised at the outbreak of the Second World War in
1939 made up of both Regular and Territorial soldiers and they were sent
to France and Belgium. In 1940, under French command, they fought a series
of bold and stubborn rearguard actions against the German advance, but
they were isolated and cut off at St Valery and under their great
commander, Victor Fortune, were forced to surrender before they could be
evacuated. This original Second World War Highland Division wore as their
divisional sign the old “HD” of the First World War.
After St Valery, the duplicate Highland Division, the 9th Highland
Division, formed in 1938 as a second line formation, was redesignated as
the 51st Highland Division and the few survivors from France joined the
new 51st.
To inherit such a reputation was more than a challenge for the newly
formed force. Instrumental in forming, training and preparing this
Division for war were Major Generals Neil Ritchie of the Black Watch and
Douglas Wimberley of the Cameron Highlanders. The Division now wore the HD
patch and was again formed into Highland Brigades numbered 152, 153 and
154.
Once more the 51st gained for themselves a formidable reputation in the
field. By June 1942 they were trained and ready and they embarked for
Egypt and the North African campaign. Renowned for their organisation,
morale, fighting efficiency and staff work, they were great favourites
with Montgomery. Their North African battles included El Alamein, Mareth,
Medenine and Wadi Akarit.
After North Africa they landed in Sicily and were then moved back to the
United Kingdom to prepare for the landings in North West Europe. Here in
the hedges and narrow lanes of Normandy they had a difficult time and they
deeply felt the change of command from their beloved Douglas Wimberley.
They fought on however through France, Belgium, Holland and across the
Rhine into Germany. In August 1945 the 51st Highland Division ceased to
exist as a separate formation and became part of the 51st/52nd (Scottish)
Division. Their wartime battle casualties in killed wounded and missing
from D-Day to 5th May 1945 totalled 9051.
The 51st was revived as a separate Territorial Division in 1948 and
survived as such until 1967 when it was redesignated as a Brigade of the
Scottish Division and later as a brigade number in 2nd Division.
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