Philip Roberts (British Army officer)

Major-General George Philip Bradley Roberts, CB, DSO & Two Bars, MC (5 November 1906 – 5 November 1997), better known as "Pip", was a senior officer of the British Army who served with distinction during the Second World War, most notably as General Officer Commanding of the 11th Armoured Division (nicknamed the "Black Bull") throughout the campaign in Northwestern Europe from June 1944 until Victory in Europe Day (VE-Day) in May 1945.Roberts, in the words of Richard Mead, "possessed strong leadership, an instinctive tactical flair and the intellectual appreciation of what was needed to succeed, becoming as a result the outstanding British armoured commander of the War.Roberts's brigade was soon equipped with Sherman Crab tanks with mounted flails for the purpose of clearing mines, and he himself was able to observe the capabilities of the armoured fighting vehicles which would later assist him in future operations.[18] Following the German collapse in Normandy after the Battle of the Falaise Pocket, the 11th Armoured Division, at the River Seine on 28 August, was in Amiens just three days later, arriving at Antwerp on 3 September, five years since the beginning of the war.[20] The division crossed the River Rhine in late March and participated in the Western Allied invasion of Germany, in the process liberating the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in mid-April and entering Lübeck in early May.
Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery , the new commander of the British Eighth Army, and Lieutenant-General Brian Horrocks , the new GOC XIII Corps , discussing troop dispositions at 22nd Armoured Brigade HQ, 20 August 1942. The brigade commander, Brigadier "Pip" Roberts is on the right (in beret).
Major-General "Pip" Roberts (right) with Brigadier C. B. C. "Roscoe" Harvey, commanding the 29th Armoured Brigade, Normandy, 15 August 1944.
Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery poses for a group photograph with members of his staff, along with his corps and division commanders, at Walbeck, Germany, 22 March 1945. Pictured sitting on the floor, second from the left, is Major-General "Pip" Roberts.
White Scout CarQuettaBritish IndiaEast SussexBritish ArmyMajor-GeneralService numberRoyal Tank Regiment2nd Infantry Division7th Armoured Division11th Armoured Division30th Armoured Brigade26th Armoured Brigade22nd Armoured Brigade3rd Royal Tank RegimentSecond World WarCompanion of the Order of the BathDistinguished Service OrderTwo BarsMilitary CrossMentioned in DespatchesLegion of HonourCroix de guerreKent and County of London Yeomanry SquadronJustice of the PeaceGeneral Officer Commandingcampaign in Northwestern EuropeVictory in Europe DayMarlborough CollegeRoyal Military College, Sandhurstpassing outcommissionedlieutenantBernard MontgomeryBrian HorrocksXIII CorpsBovingtonDorsetadjutant6th Royal Tank RegimentBattle of Alam el HalfaSecond Battle of El AlameinCharles Keightley6th Armoured DivisionTunisian campaignAxis powersRichard HullPercy Hobart79th Armoured Division21st Army GroupHobart's FunniesSherman Crab tanksclearing minesarmoured fighting vehiclesarmoured warfareBrocas BurrowsRobert LaycockNorth West EuropeSir Bernard MontgomeryNormandyD-Day landingsBattle of NormandyOperation EpsomOperation GoodwoodOperation BluecoatBattle of the Falaise PocketRiver SeineAmiensAntwerpactingOperation Market GardenBattle of the BulgeOperation VeritableRiver RhineWestern Allied invasion of GermanyBergen-Belsen concentration campLübeckConservative PartyWimbledonPhilip BalfourRoyal Armoured CorpsSussexThe London GazetteBarnsleySouth YorkshirePen and Sword BooksGOC 11th Armoured DivisionLewis LyneGOC 7th Armoured DivisionGOC 2nd Infantry DivisionColin Callander