The 33rd Indian Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Indian Army that saw active service with the Indian Army during the First World War. It took part in the Mesopotamian campaign in 1915 before being broken up at the end of the year.
| 33rd Indian Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | March 1915 – 7 December 1915 |
| Country |  British India |
| Allegiance | British Crown |
| Branch |  British Indian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | 12th Indian Division |
| Engagements | First World War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Maj.-Gen. G.F. Gorringe |
History
editThe 33rd Indian Brigade was formed in Mesopotamia in March 1915 as part of the 12th Indian Division, with the last elements arriving at Basra on 9 April.[1] On 18 August, the HQ was transferred to Bushire and the HQ was reformed in the division. The brigade was broken up on 7 December and replaced by the 34th Indian Brigade.[2] The only significant action the brigade was involved with was the Occupation of Nasiriya on 25 July.[3]
Order of battle
editThe brigade commanded the following units in the First World War:[4]
- 1/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment (joined from Rawalpindi Brigade, 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division in March 1915; attached to 30th Indian Brigade May to October; joined the 1/5th (The Weald of Kent) Battalion, Buffs (East Kent Regiment) as the Composite Territorial Battalion in February 1916 in 35th Indian Brigade[5])
- 11th Rajputs (joined from Presidency Brigade, 8th (Lucknow) Division in March 1915; left for Bushire in July)
- 66th Punjabis (joined from 5th (Jhelum) Brigade, 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division in March 1915; to 16th (Poona) Brigade, 6th (Poona) Division in October)
- 67th Punjabis (joined from Lorelai, 4th (Quetta) Division in March 1915; to 12th Indian Brigade in April)
- 4th Prince Albert Victor's Rajputs (joined from 12th Indian Brigade in July 1915; to Corps Troops in December)
- 43rd Erinpura Regiment (joined from Chaman, 4th (Quetta) Division in August 1915; to Corps Troops in October)
- 20th Punjabis (joined from 16th (Poona) Brigade, 6th (Poona) Division in October 1915; to Corps Troops in December)
Commanders
editThe brigade had the following commanders in the First World War:[2]
| From | Rank | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 March 1915 | Major-General | G.F. Gorringe | |
| 6 May 1915 | Brigadier-General | R. Wapshare | sick, 15 July |
| 7 August 1915 | Brigadier-General | H.T. Brooking | transferred to Bushire on 18 August |
| 16 September 1915 | Brigadier-General | J.A. Douglas | broken up 7 December |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Perry 1993, p. 125
- ^ a b Perry 1993, p. 123
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 126
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 124
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 129
Bibliography
edit- 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.