Following the outbreak of World War Two, the 30th Infantry Brigade was reformed in the United Kingdom on 24 April 1940. Initially comprising two Regular Army motor infantry battalions — the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade, and the 2nd Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, the brigade was intended to operate as part of 1st Armoured Division.
The rapidly evolving strategic situation in France, however, prevented this. Instead, the brigade was hastily deployed to Calais, arriving on 22-23 May 1940, to defend the port against an imminent German attack. The brigade was reinforced at Calais by the 1st Battalion, Queen Victoria’s Rifles (a Territorial Army motor battalion) and elements of the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment.
