51st Indian Infantry Brigade

The 51st Indian Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Indian Army that saw active service in the Indian Army during the Second World War. It took part in the Arakan Campaign and in the immediate post-war period reoccupied Malaya.

51st Indian Infantry Brigade
ActiveDecember 1941 – May 1946
Country British India
AllegianceBritish Crown
Branch British Indian Army
TypeInfantry
SizeBrigade
Part of25th Indian Division
EngagementsSecond World War
Burma Campaign
Arakan 1944–45
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Brig. R.A. Hutton
Lt Col K.S. Thimayya

History

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The 51st Indian Infantry Brigade was formed in December 1941, in India, and initially assigned to HQ Rawalpindi District. It was transferred to the 20th Indian Infantry Division in April 1942, and transferred again in August 1942 to the 25th Indian Infantry Division where it remained until the end of the war.[1]

The brigade moved to the Arakan in March 1944 where it remained until April 1945 before returning to India. It took part in actions at Mayu Peninsula, at Kangaw and at Tamandu.[2]

At the end of the war, it took part in Operation Zipper, landing in Malaya on 9 September 1945 and reaching Kuala Lumpur by 13 September. It remained in Malaya with 25th Division until February 1946 then returned to India where it was disbanded in May.[2]

Order of battle

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The following units served with the brigade during and after the Second World War:[3][4]

Commanders

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The brigade had the following commanders in the Second World War:[2]

From Rank Name Notes
7 April 1942 Brigadier T.H. Angus DSO MC
6 November 1944 Brigadier R.A. Hutton DSO OBE
11 December 1944 Lt. Col. K.S. Thimayya acting (from 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment)
13 January 1945 Brigadier R.A. Hutton DSO OBE
22 September 1945 Brigadier J.M.K. Bradford DSO
20 January 1946 Brigadier R.A. Hutton DSO OBE

2014-2016 Brigadier J.S. Yadav, VSM

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ 8th Battalion, 19th Hyderabad Regiment was redesignated as 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment on 16 April 1945.[2]
  2. ^ 51 Brigade Workshop Section, IAOC was redesignated 51 LAD Type E/F, IEME in 1943.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "51 Indian Brigade". Order of Battle. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d Kempton 2003b, p. 51
  3. ^ "51 Indian Brigade Units". Order of Battle. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
  4. ^ Kempton 2003b, pp. 51–52
  5. ^ Kempton 2003b, p. 52

Bibliography

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  • Kempton, Chris (2003b). 'Loyalty & Honour', The Indian Army September 1939 – August 1947. Vol. Part II Brigades. Milton Keynes: The Military Press. ISBN 0-85420-238-2.
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