[1][2] The brigade landed in Normandy on 24 June 1944, under the command of Brigadier Hubert Essame, and fought during Operation Overlord, It fought against the German 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen at Hill 112, in July 1944, during the Battle for Caen.

[3][4] The 214th Brigade, along with the rest of the 43rd Division, were the first British units to cross the River Seine, with an assault crossing at the French town of Vernon opposed by the 49th Infantry Division.

[3][5] This enabled the armour of XXX Corps to thrust across northern France and into Belgium.

The brigade was later involved in Operation Market Garden, and supported the Guards Armoured Division.

[3][6][8] By the end of hostilities they had reached the Cuxhaven peninsula of northern Germany.