Experimental Mechanized Force

Experimental Mechanized Force/Armoured Force
Vickers Medium tanks on the move in England in the 1930s
Active	1927–1929
Disbanded	1929
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Army
Type	Armoured
Role	Research
Size	Brigade
Equipment	Tanks and other armoured vehicles
Commanders
Notable commanders	Robert Collins (1927–1928) Charles Broad (1931) George Lindsay (1934) Percy Hobart (1st Tank Brigade, 1934–1937)

The Experimental Mechanized Force (EMF) was a brigade-sized formation of the British Army. It was officially formed on 1 May 1927 to investigate and develop the techniques and equipment required for armoured warfare and was the first armoured formation of its kind in the world. It was renamed the Armoured Force the following year.^[1] The Royal Air Force (RAF) took part in the exercises and demonstrated the value of ground–air co-operation.

For two years the EMF participated in exercises which demonstrated the capabilities of mechanised forces against traditionally organised and trained infantry and cavalry. The force was controversial in the army and was disbanded in February 1929.^[2] The EMF and AF were followed by experiments with a Tank Brigade in 1931, which had three mixed battalions of medium and light tanks and a battalion of Carden Loyd machine-gun carriers for reconnaissance.^[3]