March 1943
The division abandoned the mountain and arctic warfare roles and participated in exercise Spartan. The largest military exercise held in England.
April 1943
The division got assigned to I Corps under Lieutenant General Gerard Bucknall and got assigned as a assault division for the invasion of Normandy.
30 april the division received a new General Officer Commanding, Major General Evelyn "Bubbles" Barker.
Barker believed that the new divisional sign was a sign of lack of martial intent. He ordered the divisinal sign to be changed into a more "aggresive" insigna.
"That Bear is too submissive. I want a defiant sign for my division, lift up its head and make it roar", Barker wrote. Subsequently the 49th Division was issued with a new "aggressive" insignia, now featuring a Polar Bear with its head facing upwards, roaring.
30 april the division received a new General Officer Commanding, Major General Evelyn "Bubbles" Barker.
Barker believed that the new divisional sign was a sign of lack of martial intent. He ordered the divisinal sign to be changed into a more "aggresive" insigna.
"That Bear is too submissive. I want a defiant sign for my division, lift up its head and make it roar", Barker wrote. Subsequently the 49th Division was issued with a new "aggressive" insignia, now featuring a Polar Bear with its head facing upwards, roaring.
July 1943
The division got selected as one of three divisions to spearhead the normandy invasion and was send to Scotland.
This is where they began training for amphibious warfare and combined operations.
This is where they began training for amphibious warfare and combined operations.
Late 1943
General Sir Bernard Montgomery takes over command of 21st Army Groep, Which commanded all allied land forces in the upcoming invasion.
Montgomery chose the 50th infantry division as 1 of 2 british assault divisions, and the 49th despite training for the role as a assault division got assigned a backup role.
Montgomery chose the 50th infantry division as 1 of 2 british assault divisions, and the 49th despite training for the role as a assault division got assigned a backup role.