The Brigade was formed on 17 June 1940 at
Pietermaritzburg. It comprised two infantry battalions formed in early 1940 from the
South African Police : the 1st and 2nd South African Police battalions, and also the 2nd
Transvaal Scottish battalion based at Johannesburg. It was commanded throughout its existence by Brigadier Frederick William Cooper. It became part of the
South African 2nd Infantry Division on 5 November 1940, and arrived in Egypt on 6 June 1941. It participated in the successful
Operation Crusader and recaptured
Bardia,
Sallum and the
Halfaya Pass in January 1942. In June 1942, the Brigade was part of the garrison of Tobruk, and went into captivity after the
Axis capture of Tobruk on 21 June 1942. It wasn't reformed after this. ==Order of battle==