The 43rd Indian Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Indian Army that formed part of the Indian Army during the First World War. It was formed in March 1917 as part of the 16th Indian Division for service on the North West Frontier. It remained in India throughout the First World War but saw active service in the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Post-war, it was designated as 21st Indian Infantry Brigade in September 1920 and took over responsibility for the Jubbulpore Brigade Area in 1923.
| 43rd Indian Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 31 March 1917 – 1923 |
| Country |  British India |
| Allegiance | British Crown |
| Branch |  British Indian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | 16th Indian Division |
| Service | First World War Third Anglo-Afghan War |
History
editFrom March 1916, it was intended to form a reserve division for the North West Frontier, but the urgent need to find troops for Mesopotamia meant that the 16th Indian Division was not formed until December 1916.[1] In March 1917, 43rd Indian Brigade was formed in the new division.[2] The brigade remained on the North West Frontier throughout the First World War but was mobilized with 16th Indian Division to take part in the Third Anglo-Afghan War.[3]
In September 1920, the brigade was redesignated as 21st Indian Infantry Brigade – not to be confused with an identically designated but unrelated 21st Indian Infantry Brigade of the Second World War. In 1923, the brigade took over responsibility for the Jubbulpore Brigade Area.[4]
Orders of battle
edit| First World War units |
|---|
The brigade commanded the following units during the First World War:[5]
|
| Third Anglo-Afghan War units | |
|---|---|
July 1918 plans saw the brigade mobilizing with the following units:[3]
|
In the event, the brigade mobilized in May 1919 with:[3]
|
Commanders
editThe 43rd Indian Brigade / 21st Indian Infantry Brigade had the following commanders:[4][2]
| From | Rank | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March 1917 | Brigadier-General | W.M. Southey | |
| 28 September 1918 | Brigadier-General | J.L.J. Clarke | |
| October 1919 | Brigadier-General | G. Gwyn-Thomas | |
| March 1921 | Brigadier-General | A.B. Tillard | |
| June 1921 | Brigadier-General | W.J. Mitchell | Jubbulpore Brigade Area in 1923 |
See also
edit- 21st Indian Infantry Brigade of the Second World War
- 43rd Indian Infantry Brigade of the Second World War
Notes
edit- ^ a b c d e The 2/6th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, the 1/9th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, the 1/25th Battalion, the London Regiment and the 1/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion were originally bicycle infantry. In November 1915 they were converted to infantry and formed a brigade, originally intended for service in East Africa. Instead, they sailed for India in February 1916.[6]
- ^ a b c d e The 1st Rifle Battalion, the Pasupati Prasad Battalion, the Sri Nath Battalion and the Mahindra Dal Battalion were units of the Nepalese Army.[7]
References
edit- ^ Perry 1993, p. 58
- ^ a b Perry 1993, p. 137
- ^ a b c Perry 1993, p. 140
- ^ a b Mackie 2015, p. 379
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 138
- ^ James 1978, p. 79
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 179
Bibliography
edit- Gaylor, John (1996). Sons of John Company: The Indian and Pakistan Armies 1903–1991 (2nd ed.). Tunbridge Wells: Parapress. ISBN 1-898594-41-4.
- James, Brigadier E.A. (1978). British Regiments 1914–18. London: Samson Books Limited. ISBN 0-906304-03-2.
- Mackie, Colin (June 2015). "Army Commands 1900-2011" (PDF). www.gulabin.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- 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- "16th Indian Division on The Regimental Warpath 1914 - 1918 by PB Chappell". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 2015-06-30.