The 10,000-strong division was a static formation, lacking transport, intended to defend possible landing sites along the southern Cornish and Devon coastlines from invading German troops.

The creation of the division also helped to free up the more experienced troops, who were then held back from the coastline to be able to launch a counterattack against any potential German landings.

[2] During October, with the possibility of a German invasion re-emerging during 1941, these new battalions were formed into independent infantry brigades that were then assigned to newly created County Divisions (a total of nine such formations were raised).

[5] Using the new recruits in this manner allowed the regular infantry divisions to be freed up from such duties, undertake training, and form an all-important reserve that could be used to counterattack any German landing.

[6] The Devon and Cornwall County Division was formed on 24 February 1941, consisting of the 203rd Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) under the command of Major-General Charles Allfrey.

[9] On 22 April, General Sir Alan Brooke, the Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces spent the day touring the division and watched several company-size exercises.

[8] The Imperial War Museum comments that the division insignia included "the arms of the Duchy of Cornwall" as well Arthur's sword Excalibur to acknowledge an association with the West Country.

[14] For example, the 9th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry was based in Plymouth with companies posted to the suburbs of Crownhill and slightly further afield in the nearby village of Wembury.

However, in an analysis of the use of umpires during such exercises, historian Timothy Harrison Place highlighted an example involving the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment: "Lance-Corporal R.I. Higgins ... took part in a night patrol that captured the opposing brigadier and his staff.

However, the British still had to consider the threat due to the possibility that the Soviet Union could collapse under the German onslaught and the ease in which Germany could transfer troops back to the west.