The 12th Indian Division was formed in March 1915 from units of the British Indian Army. It formed part of the Tigris Corps, for service during the Mesopotamia Campaign of World War I. The Division arrived in Mesopotamia in April 1915 and remained there until it was broken up in March 1916. The Division's brigades remained in Mesopotamia as independent formations until forming part of the 15th Indian Division in May 1916.[1] During its short existence it fought in a number of actions including the Battle of Shaiba between April 12–14, 1915, the Battle of Khafajiya between May 14–16, 1915, the Battle of Nasiriya between July 5, 13-14, 24 1915, where 400 British and Indian soldiers were killed in the battle and up to 2,000 Turkish Soldiers.[citation needed] The Occupation of Nasiriya and the affair at Butanuja, January 14, 1916.[1]
| 12th Indian Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1915–1916 |
| Country | India |
| Allegiance | British Crown |
| Branch | British Indian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Engagements | Battle of Shaiba Battle of Khafajiya Battle of Nasiriya |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Major General Gerald Frederick Gorringe |
Order of battle
editThe division included the following units; not all of them served at the same time:[1][2][3]
- 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
- 90th Punjabis
- 44th Mherwara Infantry
- 4th Prince Albert Victor's Rajputs
- 67th Punjabis
- 1/5th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
- 24th Punjabis
- 76th Punjabis
- 126th Baluchis
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Gurkha Rifles
- 1/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
- half of 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
- half of 67th Punjabis
The brigade was broken up in December 1915.
- 1/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
- 11th Rajputs
- 66th Punjabis
- 67th Punjabis
- 4th Prince Albert Victor's Rajputs
- 43rd Erinpura Regiment
- 20th Punjabis
Replaced 33rd Brigade when it was broken up.
- 1/5th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
- 31st Punjabis
- 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry
- 114th Mahrattas
- half of 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
Divisional Cavalry
editDivisional Artillery
edit- 86th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
- 104th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
- 1/5th Hampshire (Howitzer) Battery, Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force) [1][2]
Divisional Engineers
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f "army.mod".
- ^ a b c d "warpath". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008.
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 124
Bibliography
edit- Haythornthwaite, Philip J. (1996). The World War One Source Book. London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 1-85409-351-7.
- Moberly, F.J. (1923). Official History of the War: Mesopotamia Campaign. London: Imperial War Museum. ISBN 1-870423-30-5.
- Perry, F.W. (1993). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 5B. Indian Army Divisions. Newport: Ray Westlake Military Books. ISBN 1-871167-23-X.
External links
edit- "12th Indian Division on The Regimental Warpath 1914 - 1918 by PB Chappell". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-30.