World War Two

Europe & North Africa
The Second World War began badly for Britain. For The Gordon Highlanders, two Battalions of the Regiment, the 1st and the 5th, were forced to surrender at St Valery in France in 1940, along with most of the 51st Highland Division. 

Yet both Battalions, together with their Division, were quickly reformed and fought with distinction in North Africa and Sicily. They returned to North West Europe on D-Day, 6th June 1944, and fought their way, along with the 2nd Battalion, from Normandy, through France, Belgium and the Netherlands to victory in Germany in April 1945.

Far East
Tragically, the same happened in the Far East, in February 1942, when the 2nd Gordons were captured after the Japanese took Singapore. Despite this loss, the Gordons were well represented as British forces fought back against the Japanese in Burma. Two Battalions, the 8th and the 9th, saw action, but not as infantry. The 8th had been converted to an Artillery Regiment, while the 9th became an Armoured Regiment.

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