The 53rd 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 and formed part of the occupation force for Iraq post-war.

53rd Indian Brigade
ActiveNovember 1917 – 1921
Country British India
AllegianceBritish Crown
Branch British Indian Army
TypeInfantry
SizeBrigade
Part of18th Indian Division
EngagementsFirst World War
Mesopotamian Campaign
Battle of Sharqat

History

edit

The 53rd Indian Brigade started forming in Mesopotamia from November 1917 as part of the 18th Indian Division, joining the division when it was formed on 24 December 1917. The brigade was formed from battalions transferred directly from India so time was needed for them to become acclimatized. It remained with the division for the rest of the war, taking part in the action at Fat-ha Gorge on the Little Zab (23–26 October 1918) and the Battle of Sharqat (28–30 October 1918).[1]

At the end of the war, the 18th Division was chosen to form part of the occupation force for Iraq. It took part in the Iraq Rebellion in 1920. The division, and the brigade, was broken up in the following year.[1]

Order of battle

edit

The brigade had the following composition in the First World War:[2]

Commander

edit

The brigade was commanded from 19 November 1917 by Brigadier-General G.A.F. Sanders.[3]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Perry 1993, p. 150
  2. ^ Perry 1993, p. 148
  3. ^ Perry 1993, p. 147

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.
edit