The 16th Indian Division was an infantry division of the Indian Army during the First World War. It was formed in December 1916, during the First World War. It was the only war formed division of the British Indian Army that was not sent overseas,[a] instead it was sent to guard the North West Frontier. The division took over the responsibilities of the 3rd Lahore Divisional Area when it was disbanded in May 1917.

16th Indian Division
Active1916–1922
Country British India
AllegianceBritish Crown
Branch British Indian Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
Part ofNorthern Army
EngagementsFirst World War
Third Afghan War

The 16th Division was called into action for the Waziristan Campaign in 1917, the 45th (Jullundur) Brigade under command of Brigadier Reginald Dyer were responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. In 1919, they were sent into Afghanistan during the Third Afghan War.[4]

The division was not reformed for the Second World War.[5]

Order of Battle

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The division was composed as follows:[6]

43rd Indian Brigade

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44th (Ferozepore) Brigade

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Joined the division in February 1917:

45th (Jullundur) Brigade

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Joined the division in May 1917:

In the Third Afghan War the formation was:

Ambala Brigade

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Joined the division in May 1917:

Divisional troops

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Divisional Artillery

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The 3rd Lahore,[1] 6th Poona,[2] and 7th Meerut Divisional Areas[3] also remained in India throughout the war.

References

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  1. ^ Perry 1993, p. 55
  2. ^ Perry 1993, p. 82
  3. ^ Perry 1993, p. 97
  4. ^ "Waziristan Campaign 1917". 25th County of London Cycle Battalion. Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  5. ^ Kempton 2003a, i
  6. ^ Perry 1993, pp. 67–71
  7. ^ Collett, pp.301–302

Bibliography

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  • Collett, Nigel (2007). The Butcher of Amritsar: General Reginald Dyer. Continuum International Publishing Group. ISBN 1-85285-575-4.
  • Kempton, Chris (2003a). 'Loyalty & Honour', The Indian Army September 1939 – August 1947. Vol. Part I Divisions. Milton Keynes: The Military Press. ISBN 0-85420-228-5.
  • Perry, F.W. (1993). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 5B. Indian Army Divisions. Newport: Ray Westlake Military Books. ISBN 1-871167-23-X.
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