The 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, one of the most distinguished formations of the British Army, carried into the Second World War the proud traditions it had established during the Great War. At the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, the division, composed primarily of Scottish Territorial battalions, was mobilized and dispatched to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. However, during the German offensive in May–June 1940, the division was cut off and surrounded with French forces at Saint-Valery-en-Caux. Despite prolonged resistance, the bulk of the division was forced to surrender on June 12, 1940, leading to a temporary cessation of its wartime existence.

The division was reconstituted shortly afterward in the United Kingdom, centered around the 9th (Highland) Infantry Division, which assumed its number and traditions. From 1940 to 1944, the newly reformed 51st prepared for continental operations. It took part in the Normandy landings, coming ashore in June 1944 shortly after D-Day, and was immediately engaged in heavy fighting around Caen, including operations Epsom and Goodwood.

In August 1944, the division participated in the encirclement and destruction of German forces in the Falaise Pocket. It continued the advance through northern France, liberating towns and engaging retreating German units in the Low Countries. During the winter of 1944–45, the 51st held defensive positions in the Netherlands and took part in operations to clear the Reichswald Forest in early 1945.

In the final months of the war, the division crossed the Rhine and advanced deep into northwestern Germany, contributing to the rapid collapse of the German northern front. At war’s end, the 51st had earned a reputation for battlefield endurance and offensive capability, reinforced by its distinctive Highland identity and the legacy of its fallen comrades from 1940.

At VDG Militaria, we are dedicated to providing collectors with an exceptional selection of original military antiques. Our passion for history and commitment to authenticity ensure that every item we offer is thoroughly researched, accurately described, and meticulously photographed.

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