21st Indian Infantry Brigade

The 21st Indian Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade formation of the Indian Army during World War II.

21st Indian Infantry Brigade
Active19401945
CountryBritish Raj British India
Allegiance British Empire
Branch British Indian Army
TypeInfantry
SizeBrigade
EngagementsAnglo-Iraqi War
North African Campaign
Italian Campaign
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Sir Philip Christison

History

Indian troops of "Y" Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Mahratta Light Infantry, advancing under cover of smoke across the aerodrome. Wrecked planes and hangars can be seen through the smoke. Aquino, Italy, 25 May 1944.

It was converted from the Quetta Brigade in September 1940, and assigned to the 9th Indian Infantry Division. In March 1941, it was transferred to the 10th Indian Infantry Division and took part in the Anglo-Iraqi War in May 1941. The brigade then moved to Egypt and came under command British Eighth Army between July and November 1942. It returned to Iraq, assigned to the 8th Indian Infantry Division, in November 1942 and moved with to Damascus in March 1943. In September the division arrived in Taranto in southern Italy and the brigade remained with 8th Indian Division throughout the rest of the Italian Campaign apart from short attachments to the British 78th Infantry Division in November 1943, and the British 6th Armoured Division between April and May 1944.[1]

Formation

Officers commanding

The following officers commanded the brigade during the war.[3]

Brigadier C.J. Weld (Sep 1940 - May 1942)
Brigadier J.J. Purves (May 1942 - Mar 1943)
Brigadier B.S. Mould (Mar 1943 - Aug 1945)

See also

References

  1. "21 Indian Brigade". Order of Battle. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
  2. "21 Indian Brigade Units". Order of Battle. Retrieved 23 October 2009.
  3. "21st Indian Infantry Brigade Command Appointments". Orders of Battle.com. Retrieved 27 October 2015.


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