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=== First Formation ===
Before the [[1966 Defence White Paper]] and subsequent wide-ranging reorganisation of the Army, signal formations larger than those controlled by a Lieutenant Colonel (ie: battalion (regiment in the RCS)) were rare, and usually only temporary regional formations.{{cn|date=December 2021}} However, following that defence paper, eight new 'signal groups', commanded by a [[Colonel]] were formed to oversee specialist units with specific duties, including those tasked with supporting the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR).<ref>Lord & Watson, p. 136</ref><ref name=":0">Lord & Watson, pp. 131–132</ref>
A year after the 1966 Defence White Paper, on 1 April 1967, the '''12th Signal Group''' was formed with its headquarters at the [[Duke of York's Headquarters]] in [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]], [[London]].<ref name=":3">Royal Corps of Signals Association, ''The Wire The Royal Signals Magazine for 1968''. Corps Headquarters, Royal Corps of Signals. Catterick, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Retrieved 17 December 2021.</ref>{{pn|date=December 2021}} The regiments of the group were tasked with providing support to the logistic units in the rear area of supporting I (BR) Corps in West Germany.{{cn|date=December 2021}} Additionally, the group providing rear area duties assistance to the corps.{{cn|date=December 2021}} The role of the group was described as follows: "to establish and operate telecommunication connections in the Rear Combat Zone and the Communications Zone".{{cn|date<ref name=December":1" 2021}}/>
Following the [[1981 Defence White Paper]], the Territorial Army was given roles of increased priority,{{cn|date=December 2021}} and more emphasis was placed on supporting BAOR.<ref>{{cnCite web|date=June 1981|title=The United Kingdom Defence Programme: The Way Forward|url=https://c59574e9047e61130f13-3f71d0fe2b653c4f00f32175760e96e7.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/991284B4011C44C9AEB423DA04A7D54B.pdf|access-date=18 December 2021|website=United Kingdom Parliamentary Publishings}}</ref> As a result of this paper, the 12th Signal Group was redesignated as the '''12th Signal Brigade.'''<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">Vieux-Bill, Louis (May 2021). "[https://www.orbat85.nl/documents/BAOR-July-1989.pdf British Army of the Rhine Order of Battle, July 1989]" (PDF). ''1985 Orders of Battle''. p. 86 Retrieved 15 December 2021.</ref><ref name=":822">British Army, ''1991 Master Order of Battle'', Ministry of Defence, London. London, United Kingdom. Retrieved 15 December 2021.</ref><ref name=":2">Fritz, Alter (October 2018). "[https://www.relikte.com/_basis/docs/baor-rafg-2.pdf British Army of the Rhine & Royal Air Force Germany 1989: Organisation and stationing of the British Armed Forces in Germany in 1989]" (PDF). ''Relics in Upper Saxony & Bremen''. Retrieved 15 December 2021 .</ref>
According to the 1988 Staff Officers' handbook, each regiment had an established strength of appx. 600 personnel. The brigade headquarters totalled around 100 personnel, and 81 Squadron had 100 personnel, leaving a total of 2,000 personnel for the brigade.<ref>Staff Officers' Handbook for 1988, p. 47</ref>
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