'Desert Rats' No Longer Have Armored Role

The British 7th Armored Brigade, commonly known as the Desert Rats, has ended its role as an armored unit, reports the British army.

The unit, made famous in North Africa during World War II, held a final parade in Bergen, Germany, last week.

The 7th Infantry Brigade will be activated in the U.K. in early 2015, said Brig. James Woodham, the brigade commander.

The brigade's flag was lowered and given by Len Burritt, the first to wear the unit's red rat, to Brig. Woodham. He...