The Ambala 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 November 1914 to replace the original Ambala Brigade that had been mobilized as the 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade for service on the Western Front. It remained in India throughout the war.
| Ambala Brigade | |
|---|---|
| Active | 11 November 1914 – 1941 |
| Country |  British India |
| Allegiance | British Crown |
| Branch |  British Indian Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | 3rd Lahore Divisional Area 16th Indian Division |
| Service | First World War Second World War |
The brigade continued to exist between the World Wars and by September 1939 it was designated Ambala Brigade Area. It was broken up in 1941.
History
editAt the outbreak of the First World War, the Ambala Cavalry Brigade was part of the 3rd (Lahore) Division. It was mobilized in August 1914 as the 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade, assigned to the newly formed 1st Indian Cavalry Division[1] and sailed from Bombay on 16 October for the Western Front.[2] Likewise, the 3rd (Lahore) Division was transferred to France in August 1914.[3] The 3rd Lahore Divisional Area was formed in September 1914 to take over the area responsibilities of the 3rd (Lahore) Division[4] and on 11 November 1914[a] a new Ambala Brigade was formed in 3rd Lahore Divisional Area to replace the original brigade. The brigade served with the division in India until May 1917.[6]
From December 1916, the 16th Indian Division began forming as a reserve division for the North-West Frontier eventually taking over the responsibilities and brigades of the 3rd Lahore Divisional Area: 44th (Ferozepore) Brigade in February 1917 and the Ambala and 45th (Jullundur) Brigades in May.[6] It remained with the new division until June 1918 when it became an independent formation.[7]
The brigade continued to exist after the end of the war. By 1926 it had been redesignated as Ambala Brigade Area.[8] It was broken up in 1941.[9]
Orders of battle
edit| 3rd Lahore Divisional Area |
|---|
The brigade commanded the following units while assigned to 3rd Lahore Divisional Area:[10]
|
| 16th Indian Division |
|---|
The brigade commanded the following units while assigned to 16th Indian Division:[12]
|
| Independent formation |
|---|
The brigade commanded the following units while serving as an independent formation:[12]
|
| Ambala Brigade Area on 3 September 1939 |
|---|
At the outbreak of the Second World War, the brigade area had the following units under command:[17]
|
Commanders
editThe Ambala Brigade had the following commanders:[6][7][9]
| From | To | Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 November 1914 | 15 October 1915 | Brigadier-General | H.A. Iggulden |
| 15 October 1915 | 2 June 1918 | Brigadier-General | C.E. Hendley |
| 3 June 1918 | March 1920 | Major-General | |
| November 1920 | April 1921 | Brigadier-General | H.C. Wooldridge |
| April 1921 | October 1921 | Brigadier-General | C.H. Rowcroft |
| September 1922 | Brigadier-General | C.C. Newnham | |
| December 1923 | Brigadier-General | H.J.P. Browne | |
| December 1923 | December 1927 | Major-General | D. Deane |
| December 1927 | March 1929 | Brigadier | E.C. Gepp |
| April 1929 | May 1931 | Brigadier | W.E. Wilson-Johnston |
| May 1931 | May 1932 | Brigadier | H.L. Scott |
| May 1932 | February 1934 | Brigadier | F.G. Gillies |
| February 1934 | February 1938 | Brigadier | E.G. Hall |
| February 1938 | 1941 | Brigadier | C.A.L. Howard |
See also
edit- 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade for the original brigade
Notes
edit- ^ The first commanding officer was appointed on 11 November 1914.[5]
- ^ 3rd Battalion, 30th Punjabis was formed in June 1918 as the 1st Battalion, 132nd (Punjab Police) Regiment[15] from a police battalion that had been in existence since 1916. It was renumbered in June 1918.[16]
- ^ 4th Battalion, 30th Punjabis was formed in June 1918 as the 2nd Battalion, 132nd (Punjab Police) Regiment[15] from a police battalion that had been in existence since 1916. It was renumbered in July 1918.[16]
- ^ 1st Battalion, 140th Patiala Infantry was formed from Patiala State Forces in July 1918.[16]
- ^ 10th Battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment was the Training Battalion[18] / Regimental Centre[19] of the 15th Punjab Regiment.
References
edit- ^ Perry 1993, p. 49
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 16
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 53
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 58
- ^ "No. 29023". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1914. p. 11207.
- ^ a b c Perry 1993, p. 55
- ^ a b Perry 1993, p. 137
- ^ "No. 33179". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 July 1926. p. 4404.
- ^ a b Mackie 2015, p. 350
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 56
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 68
- ^ a b Perry 1993, p. 138
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 144
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 148
- ^ a b Gaylor 1996, p. 345
- ^ a b c Perry 1993, p. 139
- ^ Nafziger n.d., p. 3
- ^ Gaylor 1996, p. 183
- ^ Gaylor 1996, p. 360
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.
- 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.
- Mackie, Colin (June 2015). "Army Commands 1900-2011" (PDF). www.gulabin.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- 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.
External links
edit- "3rd Lahore Divisional Area on The Regimental Warpath 1914 - 1918 by PB Chappell". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 2015-07-31.
- "16th Indian Division on The Regimental Warpath 1914 - 1918 by PB Chappell". Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 2015-06-30.