the strait was one of the most significant points of interest for many years prior to the war and during a wartime effort, it is obvious that this fact would not change. of course then, the unit or units stationed to defend this key point of interest would be extremely crucial to the success of the war effort for those that controlled it. this was exactly the case for britain and her allies. the gibraltar defence force was created, on march 13th, 1941, to defend the rock and maintain british presence at one of the most crucial points of the mediterranean sea. the mouth of the mediterranean was a choke point for all maritime activity in the sea and gibraltar acted as the key to that point. gibraltar was also the key to the strait as well and was the way into spain from the mediterranean. as part of the gibraltar defence force, the 1st gibraltar brigade's significance is equal to that of the rock itself. those that fought bravely to ensure gibraltar remained in allied control were massive players in the scope of the war whether they knew it themselves or not.