44th (Ferozepore) Brigade

The Ferozepore 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 December 1914 as part of the 3rd Lahore Divisional Area for service on the North West Frontier and renamed as 44th (Ferozepore) Brigade in August 1915. It remained in India throughout the First World War but saw active service in the Third Anglo-Afghan War with the 16th Indian Division.

Ferozepore Brigade
44th (Ferozepore) Brigade
Ferozepore Brigade Area
Active7 December 1914 – February 1942
Country British India
AllegianceBritish Crown
Branch British Indian Army
TypeInfantry
SizeBrigade
Part of3rd Lahore Divisional Area
16th Indian Division
Lahore District
Garrison/HQFerozepore
ServiceFirst World War
Third Anglo-Afghan War
Second World War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Br.-Gen. A.M.S. Elsmie

Post-war, the brigade underwent a number of changes in designation before settling on Ferozepore Brigade Area by the outbreak of the Second World War. It was broken up in February 1942.

History

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At the outbreak of the First World War, the Ferozepore Brigade was part of the 3rd (Lahore) Division. It was mobilized in August 1914 with the division as the 7th (Ferozepore) Brigade and sailed from Bombay and Karachi between 24 and 29 September for the Western Front.[1] The 3rd Lahore Divisional Area was formed in September 1914 to take over the area responsibilities of the 3rd (Lahore) Division[2] and in December 1914[a] a new Ferozepore Brigade was formed in 3rd Lahore Divisional Area to replace the original brigade. In August 1915 it was designated as 44th (Ferozepore) Brigade.[2]

From 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.[3] In February 1917 the brigade was transferred to the new division.[4] 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.[5]

In September 1920, the brigade was redesignated as 12th Indian Infantry Brigade and as 16th Indian Infantry Brigade from October 1921 – not to be confused with an identically designated but unrelated 12th and 16th Indian Infantry Brigades of the Second World War. In 1923, the brigade was once again renamed Ferozepore Brigade.[6] By the outbreak of the Second World War it was designated as Ferozepore Brigade Area[7] and it was broken up in February 1942.[6]

Orders of battle

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Commanders

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The 44th (Ferozepore) Brigade / 12th Indian Infantry Brigade / 16th Indian Infantry Brigade / Ferozepore Brigade Area had the following commanders:[6][2][4]

From Rank Name Notes
7 December 1914 Brigadier-General A.H. Eustace
20 May 1915 Brigadier-General R.M. Betham
23 April 1916 Brigadier-General G.D. Crocker
18 January 1918 Brigadier-General A.M.S. Elsmie
October 1918 Brigadier-General W.M. Southey
December 1919 Brigadier-General A.J. Poole
December 1923 Brigadier-General R.J.F. Hayter
December 1927 Brigadier I.U. Battye
November 1930 Brigadier B.W. Shuttleworth
October 1934 Brigadier H.M. Burrows
November 1937 Brigadier C.M.S. Manners
1941 Brigadier G.O. de R. Channer Broken up February 1942

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The first commanding officer was appointed on 7 December 1914.[2]
  2. ^ a b c d e f 2/4th DCLI, 2/6th Sussex, 1/1st Kent, 2nd/1st Gurkhas, 1st/4th Gurkhas and 3rd/5th Gurkhas were all assigned to the brigade when it was transferred to 16th Indian Division in February 1917 but all left soon afterwards.[9]
  3. ^ a b c d e f 2/6th Sussex, 1/9th Hampshire, 1/25th London and 1/1st Kent 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.[11]
  4. ^ Sam Browne's Cavalry (12th Frontier Force) was one of three cavalry training regiments – along with 15th Lancers and 20th Lancers – from 1936.[12]
  5. ^ 10th Battalion, 14th Punjab Regiment was the Training Battalion[13] / Regimental Centre[14] of the 14th Punjab Regiment.

References

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  1. ^ Perry 1993, p. 53
  2. ^ a b c d Perry 1993, p. 55
  3. ^ Perry 1993, p. 58
  4. ^ a b Perry 1993, p. 137
  5. ^ a b c Perry 1993, p. 140
  6. ^ a b c Mackie 2015, p. 351
  7. ^ a b Nafziger n.d., p. 3
  8. ^ Perry 1993, p. 56
  9. ^ a b Perry 1993, p. 138
  10. ^ Gaylor 1996, p. 233
  11. ^ James 1978, p. 79
  12. ^ Gaylor 1996, p. 13
  13. ^ Gaylor 1996, p. 178
  14. ^ Gaylor 1996, p. 359

Bibliography

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  • 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Nafziger, George (n.d.). "The Indian Army 3 September 1939" (PDF). Fort Leavenworth: Combined Arms Research Library, United States Army Combined Arms Center. Retrieved 9 July 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.
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