During the Second World War, the Allies realised the need for the landing zone of an amphibious assault to be organised for the efficient passage of follow on forces.

In the Mediterranean, the equivalent organisations were called Beach Bricks and were formed in Egypt and trained at Kabrit.

The infantry component was intended to be a fighting force if any pockets of resistance remained on the beach immediately after the landings.

[4] After the beach had been secured, the battalion was to provide manpower for any other tasks, for example 6th Battalion Border Regiment was split up as follows,[5] As well as the treatment and dispatch of casualties back to Britain, the Medical Corps was also tasked with the provision of drinking water for the troops.

The REME was tasked with keeping the beaches clear of disabled vehicles, including the removal of stranded landing craft.

RAF units and other formations destined for the beach groups were trained at Gailes Camp near Irvine, North Ayrshire.

[11] Units formed in the Mediterranean trained at Kibrit on the Great Bitter Lake on the Suez Canal.

Formed in the UK, it sailed to Sicily with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, landing on 10 July 1943.

[13] This unit also sailed with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division from Britain and landed with them during the invasion of Sicily.

The Brick again supported the 5th Division (13th Infantry Brigade) in the landings at Calabria on 3 September 1943 on George Beach.

The Brick was reassembled with the Highlanders for the landings at Calabria, again with 17th Brigade, on How beach north of Torrente.

[24] Formed on 1 June 1943 at Kabrit Egypt around the 1st Battalion, Welch Regiment, the Brick supported the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division during the Sicily Landings at Avola.

[28] Formed on 20 July 1943 at Kabrit in Egypt around the dismounted men of 8th Royal Tank Regiment.

Composition (Normandy)[30] Men of the Beach Groups and Bricks received the following awards during their service.

During the Salerno landings, the Distinguished Service Order was awarded to Wing Commander Rowland George O.B.E., and the Military Cross was awarded to Major Cameron (18th Durham Light Infantry) and Flight Lieutenant John Dobbin, who organised the beaches and cleared vehicle congestion while under fire.

[33] On 8 June, a German fighter plane dropped a bomb on the petrol and ammunition depot on Sword, with the ensuing fire threatening to destroy large quantities of supplies.