WW2-251 BRITISH HOMEGUARD IN A BREN CARRIER HARBORS SEA MINE CREW FOR BREN CARRIER

Home Guard is a British military organization structurally subordinate to the British Army during the Second World War. It was formed in May 1940, and its complete disbandment took place in December 1945. It is very often assumed that the Home Guard was formed to defend the British Isles from an expected German invasion in the summer of 1940. However, her tasks also included supporting the regular British Army units stationed in the country, maintaining public order, but also - although much less frequently - guarding important military facilities. Initially (1940) it was called the Local Defense Volunteer, but it quickly adopted its final name. In its ranks served men who were not fit for service in regular line units due to their health or physical condition, and therefore was often called the "Daddy's Army". At its peak, the Home Guard numbered approximately 1.5 million men under arms. It is also worth adding that this formation was composed only of volunteers. Due to the nature of the formation, Home Guard received equipment of lower value than linear units - despite this, it had not only small arms (e.g. Enfield M1917 rifle or M1918 BAR rifle), but also armored vehicles (e.g. Standard Car 4x2 Beaverette).