Jump to content

User talk:East of Lyra and 8th Infantry Division (India): Difference between pages

Page contents not supported in other languages.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Difference between pages)
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Warning: image missing source information.
 
→Italy: headings
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox Military Unit
==Image tagging for Image:Tenyearsafter cricklewood.jpg==
|unit_name= 8th Infantry Division
Thanks for uploading '''[[:Image:Tenyearsafter cricklewood.jpg]]'''. The image has been identified as not specifying the source and creator of the image, which is required by Wikipedia's policy on images. If you don't indicate the source and creator of the image on the image's description page, it may be deleted some time in the next seven days. If you have uploaded other images, please verify that you have provided source information for them as well.
|image=[[Image:Indian8DivWWIIBadge0001.jpg|125px]]
|caption=
|dates= 1940 - 1946 (British Indian Army)<br>1962 - (Indian Army)
|country= [[India]]
|allegiance=
|branch= [[Indian Army]]
|type=[[Infantry]]
|role=
|size=
|command_structure=
|garrison=
<!-- Commanders -->
|current_commander=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|notable_commanders=
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=


|identification_symbol_2=
For more information on using images, see the following pages:
<!-- Culture and history -->
* [[Wikipedia:Image use policy]]
|nickname= The Clovers
* [[Wikipedia:Image copyright tags]]
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=[[Anglo-Iraqi War|Iraq 1941]]<br>[[Syria-Lebanon campaign|Syria 1941]]<br>[[Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran|Persia 1941]]<br>[[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italy 1943 - 1945]]:<br> &ndash; [[Battle of Monte Cassino]]<br>&ndash; [[Gothic Line]]<br> &ndash; [[Spring 1945 offensive in Italy|Spring 1945 offensive]]
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=[[Western Desert Campaign|North Africa]]<br>[[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italy]]
}}


The '''8th Indian Infantry Division''' is a [[Division (military)|division]] of the [[Indian Army]] which specialised in tactics and operations in mountainous territory.
This is an automated notice by [[User:OrphanBot|OrphanBot]]. For assistance on the image use policy, see [[Wikipedia:Media copyright questions]]. 18:12, 19 January 2007 (UTC)
==Orphaned non-free image (Image:Erpland.jpg)==
Thanks for uploading '''[[:Image:Erpland.jpg]]'''. The image description page currently specifies that the image is non-free and may only be used on Wikipedia under a [[WP:FU|claim of fair use]]. However, the image is currently [[Wikipedia:Orphan|orphaned]], meaning that it is not used in any articles on Wikipedia. If the image was previously in an article, please go to the article and see why it was removed. [[WP:BOLD|You may add it back]] if you think that that will be useful. However, please note that images for which a replacement could be created are not acceptable for use on Wikipedia (see [[Wikipedia:Non-free content#Policy|our policy for non-free media]]).


Originally formed in [[Meerut]] on [[25th October]] [[1940]] under Maj General C.O. Harvey, C.B., C.B.E., C.V.O., M.C. as part of the [[British Indian Army]] the Division was disbanded at the end of [[World War II]] but re-formed again in [[1962]] as a specialist mountain Division.
If you have uploaded other unlicensed media, please check whether they're used in any articles or not. You can find a list of 'image' pages you have edited by clicking on the "[[Special:Contributions/{{PAGENAME}}|my contributions]]" link (it is located at the very top of any Wikipedia page when you are logged in), and then selecting "Image" from the dropdown box. Note that any non-free images not used in any '''articles''' will be deleted after seven days, as described on [[wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#Images.2FMedia|criteria for speedy deletion]]. Thank you.<!-- Template:Orphaned --> [[User:BetacommandBot|BetacommandBot]] 07:05, 17 June 2007 (UTC)


==HISTORY: World War II==
==Unspecified source for [[:Image:Ant_spreading.jpg]]==
8th Indian Div was one of the most formidable fighting units of the war. Despite its relatively late introduction into the mainstream of battle its members won nearly 600 awards and honours including 4 [[Victoria Cross]]es.
===Iraq Syria and Iran===
When originally formed the Division's main fighting formations were [[Indian 17th Infantry Brigade|17th]], [[Indian 18th Infantry Brigade|18th]] and [[Indian 19th Infantry Brigade|19th Indian Infantry Brigades]].


On [[June 9]] [[1941]] 17 Brigade arrived in [[Basra]] to join [[Iraqforce]] which had landed in [[Iraq]] in April and had fought the [[Anglo-Iraqi War]] to secure the British-owned oilfields. These oilfields were perceived to be threatened when a coup d'etat brought into power [[Rashid Ali al-Kaylani]] who was sympathetic to the Axis powers<ref> Compton Mackenzie, Eastern Epic'', p83</ref>. By the second half of June the brigade had moved to [[Mosul]] to defend British-owned oilfields from an anticipated thrust by [[Axis Powers|Axis]] forces south through the [[Battle of the Caucasus|Caucasus]].
Thanks for uploading '''[[:Image:Ant_spreading.jpg]]'''. I noticed that the file's description page currently doesn't specify who created the content, so the [[copyright]] status is unclear. If you did not create this file yourself, then you will need to specify the owner of the copyright. If you obtained it from a website, then a link to the website from which it was taken, together with a restatement of that website's terms of use of its content, is usually sufficient information. However, if the copyright holder is different from the website's publisher, then their copyright should also be acknowledged.


At the end of June 1 Battalion [[12th Frontier Force Regiment]] and 5 Battalion [[12th Frontier Force Regiment|13th Frontier Force Rifles]] were detached from 17 Brigade to join two battalions from 20 Indian Brigade (part of [[10th Infantry Division (India)|10th Indian Infantry Division]]) to take part in the [[Syria-Lebanon campaign]] and capture the Duck's Bill area in north east [[Syria]] and secure the Mosul to [[Aleppo]] railway.<ref> Compton Mackenzie, Eastern Epic'', p124</ref>This was achieved without a shot being fired as the [[Vichy French]] forces retired westwards.
As well as adding the source, please add a proper copyright licensing tag if the file doesn't have one already. If you created/took the picture, audio, or video then the {{Tl|GFDL-self}} tag can be used to release it under the [[GFDL]]. If you believe the media meets the criteria at [[Wikipedia:Fair use]], use a tag such as {{tlp|non-free fair use in|article name}} or one of the other tags listed at [[Wikipedia:Image copyright tags#Fair use]]. See [[Wikipedia:Image copyright tags]] for the full list of copyright tags that you can use.


On [[July 17]] General Harvey and the divisional HQ arrived in Basra and had 24th Indian Brigade (which had arrived on [[June 16]]) assigned to the division. 18 Brigade arrived in Iraq on [[July 26]]<ref>Compton Mackenzie, pp125-6</ref>. The British, having secured first the Iraqi oilfields and then Syria, now focused their concern on Persia (now [[Iran]]) where it had been estimated there were some 3,000 German nationals working as technicians, commercial agents and advisors<ref> Compton Mackenzie, Eastern Epic'', p129</ref>. The division first saw shots fired in anger during the [[Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran]] in August 1941 when 24th Brigade made a made a night-time amphibious assault across the [[Shatt al Arab]] to capture the oil refinery at [[Abadan]] in South [[Persia]]. Meanwhile 18 Brigade had crossed into Persia between Basra and Abadan to take [[Khorramshahr]] and became part of a three brigade advance (with ''[[Iraqforce|Hazelforce]]''} towards [[Ahwaz]], 75 miles north east of Basra. The fighting ended on [[August 28]] when the [[Shah]] ordered his forces to cease hostlities<ref>Compton Mackenzie, pp130-139</ref>.
If you have uploaded other files, consider checking that you have specified their source and tagged them, too. You can find a list of files you have uploaded by following [{{fullurl:Special:Log|type=upload&user=East_of_Lyra}} this link]. '''Unsourced and untagged images may be deleted one week after they have been tagged''', as described on [[wikipedia:Criteria for speedy deletion#Images.2FMedia|criteria for speedy deletion]]. If the image is copyrighted under a [[Wikipedia:Image copyright tags/Fair use|non-free license]] (per [[Wikipedia:Fair use]]) then '''the image will be deleted [[WP:CSD#I7|48 hours]] after 22:52, 26 July 2007 (UTC)'''. If you have any questions please ask them at the [[Wikipedia:Media copyright questions|Media copyright questions page]]. Thank you.<!-- Template:Image source --> [[User:OsamaK|OsamaK]] 22:52, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

19 Brigade arrived in Iraq in August, replacing in the division's formation 24 Brigade (which transferred to [[Indian 6th Infantry Division]]), and by [[October 17]], 18 and 19 Brigades had concentrated at [[Kirkuk]] in northern Iraq and moved north of the oilfields where they were joined by the [[6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers|6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers (6th DCO Lancers)]], the division's reconnaissance regiment.

===North Africa===
In June 1942 18 Brigade, having been rushed over to [[Western Desert Campaign|North Africa]] from Mosul, and with only two days to prepare defensive positions, was over-run by [[Erwin Rommel|Rommel's]] tanks at [[Deir el Shein]] in front of the [[Ruweisat Ridge]]. In the process, however, they gained valuable time for [[British Eighth Army]] to organise the defenses for what was to be the [[First Battle of El Alamein|first battle of Alamein]] halting Rommel's advance towards Egypt. The Brigade was never re-formed.

===Iraq and Syria===
From August 1942 the Division, still a brigade short, became part of [[Paiforce]] when Persia and Iraq became a separate command under [[Henry Maitland Wilson, 1st Baron Wilson|General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson]] in [[Baghdad]], ([[Edward Quinan|General Quinan's]] [[British Tenth Army|Tenth Army]] in Iraq and Persia having previously come under [[Middle East Command]] in [[Cairo]]). As the threat from the North faded following the Axis defeats at [[Second Battle of El Alamein|Alamein]] and [[Battle of Stalingrad|Stalingrad]] the Division withdrew in October 1942 to [[Diyala Governorate|Kifri]] near Baghdad where it was joined by [[Indian 21st Infantry Brigade]] and the 3rd, 52nd and 53rd Field Regiments, [[Royal Artillery]]. It spent the winter in intensive training.

In January 1943 command of the Division passed to Major General (later Lieut Gen) [[Dudley Russell]] , D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C. (The Pasha), the highly successful commander of [[Indian 5th Infantry Brigade]], part of the famous "Red Eagles" [[Indian 4th Infantry Division]]. The Division moved in March 1943 to Damascus and continued to spend much of its time training, notably in mountain warfare and combined operations.

In June 1943 the Division was selected to participate in the anticipated [[Dodecanese Campaign]] ("Operation Accolade"), and seize the Italian-occupied island of [[Rhodes]], the chief Axis stronghold in the [[Dodecanese Islands]]. After frantic preparation and having loaded the first wave of ships, the Division's participation was canceled when the [[Armistice with Italy|Italian government surrendered]] and it was redirected to [[Italy]] which the German army had continued to occupy.

===Italy===
On [[24th September]] [[1943]] the Division landed in [[Taranto]] (Italy), to take its part in the [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]], and for 19 months was almost continuously in action advancing through mountainous country, crossing river after river.

From October 1943 to April 1944 the Division was part of the Allied thrust by [[British 8th Army]] up the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] front on the Eastern side of Italy. This involved opposed river crossings of the Biferno, Trigno (October 1943), Sangro (November 1943) and Moro (December 1943). The following three months proved almost as arduous for, although there was no formal offensive, the period was characterised by patrolling and vicious skirmishes in very difficult terrain and abominable winter weather which proved physically hugely demanding and stressful.

====Cassino====
When the spring came the Division was switched (along with the bulk of 8th Army) 60 miles west across the [[Apennine mountains]] to concentrate as part of [[British XIII Corps]] along the River [[Garigliano]] at a part of the river better known as the [[Rapido]]. Their heavily opposed night crossing of the Rapido in May 1944, supported by Canadian tanks ([[1st Canadian Armoured Brigade]]) with which the Division had formed a particularly close fighting relationship over the previous six months, was critical to the Allies' success in this fourth and final [[Battle of Monte Cassino#The final battle (Operation Diadem)|Battle of Monte Cassino]]. Following this, the Division advanced some 240 miles in June across mountainous country fighting many actions against rearguards and defended strongpoints. In late June they had reached [[Assisi]] and the Division was rested. It was during the fighting on the Rapido that [[Kamal Ram]] of the 3/8th [[Punjab Regiment]] won his [[Victoria Cross]], at 19 years of age, the youngest recipient of the war.

====Florence and the Gothic Line====
By the end of July 1944 the Division was back in the line with 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade in front of [[Florence]] pushing towards the River [[Arno]]. Florence was occupied by 21 Brigade on [[12 August]] where they had the unusual task to recover some of the world's greatest art treasures and arrange safe custody. By mid September the Division was in the mountains again, breaking through the [[Gothic Line]] and then spending two months of grim (and ultimately unsuccessful) battling in foul weather towards the plains of Northern Italy together with [[British 1st Infantry Division|British 1st Infantry]], [[British 78th Infantry Division|Brititish 78th Infantry]] and [[British 6th Armoured Division]]s forming British XIII Corps, which had now become the right wing of the [[U.S. 5th Army]]. It was during this time that [[Thaman Gurung]] of the 1/5 Royal Gurkha Rifles won his Victoria Cross.

In December 1944 the [[New Zealand 2nd Division]], advancing from the Adriatic on the division's right along the Lombardy Plain, took [[Faenza]] and the resistance on the 8th Division's front weakened as the Germans withdrew to shorten their front. In late December 1944 19 and 21 Brigades were rapidly switched across the Apennines to reinforce the [[92nd Infantry Division (United States)|US 92nd Infantry Division]] on the 5th Army's left flank in front of [[Lucca]]. By the time they had arrived the Germans had broken through but decisive action by Maj-Gen Russell halted their advance and the situation was stabilised by the New Year. The Division then moved to [[Pisa]] for a period of rest.

====Spring offensive 1945====
In mid-February 1945 the Division was back in the line on the Adriatic front, this time as part of 8th Army's [[British V Corps]], in front of the River [[Senio]]. The main assault on the Senio started on 9th April. In desperate fighting two members of the Division, [[Namdeo Jadav]] and [[Ali Haidar]], won Victoria Crosses. By [[11 April]] the Division reached and crossed the River [[Santerno]] breaking open a hole in the German line for the 78th Division and elements of [[British 56th (1/1st London) Division|British 56th Infantry Division]] to engage the enemy and defeat them in the [[Spring 1945 offensive in Italy#Plan of attack|Argenta Gap]]. This opened the way to [[Ferrara]] and the [[Po River]] and for 6th Armoured Division to pass through, veer left and race across country to link with the advancing U.S. 5th Army and complete the encirclement of the divisions of the German [[German Tenth Army|10th]] and [[German Fourteenth Army|14th]] Armies defending [[Bologna]]. In the aftermath of the Argenta fighting, the Division drove on rapidly through to Ferrara and across the Po and shortly therefter to their last river crossing of the war, the [[Adige]].

The campaign ended on [[2 May]] [[1945]]. The [[6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers|6th DCO Lancers]] marked the occasion with a special mission, sending an officer and nine men far up the road towards Austria and arranged the surrender of 11,000 men of their old enemy the [[German 1st Parachute Division]].

== Formation During World War II ==

'''General Officer Commanding:'''
*Major-General C.O. Harvey (Oct 1940 - Dec 1942)
*Major-General [[Dudley Russell]] (Jan 1943 - Aug 1945)

===Headquarters===
*[[6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers]] (Div Reconnaissance Reg)
*[[Royal Artillery]]
Commanders divisional artillery:
*Brigadier R.V.M. Garry (Oct 1940 - Sep 1942)
*Brigadier M.W. Dewing (Sep 1942 - Sep 1944)
*Brigadier F.C. Bull (Sep 1944 - Jul 1945)
*Brigadier T.S. Dobree (Jul 1945 - Aug 1945)
**HQ
**3, 52 & 53 FD Regts RA
**26 Light A.A. Regt RA
**4 Mahratta Anti-Tank Regt<br>
*Indian Engineers: Sappers & Miners
**7, 66 69 FD Coys K.G.O Bengal
**47 FD Park Coy K.G.O. Bengal<br>
*8 Indian Div Signals<br>
*5 Royal Bn MG 5TH Maharatta Regiment

===17 Indian Infantry Brigade===
Commanders:
*Brigadier J.G. Bruce (Nov 1940 - May 1941)
*Brigadier [[Douglas Gracey]] (May 1941 - Mar 1942)
*Brigadier F.A.M.B. Jenkins (Mar 1942 - Oct 1943)
*Brigadier H.L. Wyndham (Oct 1943 - Nov 1943)
*Brigadier J. Scott-Elliott (Nov 1943 - Jan 1944)
*Brigadier C.H. Boucher (Feb 1944 - Jun 1945)
*Brigadier P.R. Macnamara (Jun 1945 - Aug 1945)
**HQ
**1 BN [[Royal Fusiliers]]
**1 BN (Prince of Wales Own Sikhs) [[12th Frontier Force Regiment|12th Frontier Force Regt]]
**1 BN [[5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)|5th Royal Gurkha Rifles]]
**1 BN [[Jaipur Infantry]], Indian State Forces (Nov 1944 to Apr 1945)

===18 Indian Infantry Brigade (up to June 1942)===
Commanders:
*Brigadier R.G. Lochner (Oct 1940 - Aug 1942)
**HQ
**2 BN 5th [[Essex Regiment]] (from Dec 1941)
**4 BN [[11th Sikh Regiment]] (from Apr 1942)
**2 BN [[3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles]]
**1 BN [[2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles)|2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles]] (until Apr 1942)
**3 BN [[10th Baluch Regiment]] (until Oct 1941)

===19 Indian Infantry Brigade===
Commanders:
*Brigadier C.W.W. Ford (Oct 1940 - Feb 1943)
*Brigadier T.S. Dobree (Feb 1943 - Jul 1945)
*Brigadier W. Sandison (Jul 1945 - Aug 1945)
**HQ
**1/5 BN [[The Essex Regiment|The Essex Regt]] (up to March 1944)
**[[1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders|1 BN]] [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders|Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders]] (from Feb 1944)
**3 BN 8th [[Punjab Regiment|Punjab Regt]]
**6 Royal BN [[13th Frontier Force Rifles]]

===21 Indian Infantry Brigade (from October 1942)===
Commanders:
*Brigadier C.J. Weld (Sep 1940 - May 1942)
*Brigadier J.J. Purves (May 1942 - Mar 1943)
*Brigadier B.S. Mould (Mar 1943 - Aug 1945)
**HQ
**5 BN [[The Royal West Kent Regiment|The West Kent Regt]] (Nov 1942 to Jun 1945)
**1 BN 5th [[Mahratta Light Infantry]] (from Nov 1942)
**3 BN 15th [[Punjab Regt]] (from Apr 1943)
**1 Jaipur Infantry, State Forces (from Apr 1945)
**2 BN [[8 Gorkha Rifles|8th Gurkha Rifles]] (Jun 1942 to Jan 1943)

=== Support Units ===
*Royal Indian Army Service Corps
**8 Ind Div Troops Tpt Coy
**17, 19 & 21 Brigade Tpt Coys
**Div Supply Units<br>
*Medical Services
**I.M.S-R.A.M.C-I.M.D-I.H.C-I.A.M.C
**29, 31,& 33 Indian Field Ambulances<br><br>
*8 Indian Div Provost Unit<br>
*Indian Army Ordnance Corps
**8 Indian Div Ordnance FD Park<br><br>
*Indian Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
**120,121 & 122 Infantry Workshop Coys
**8 Indian Div Recovery Coy

==HISTORY: Post World War II ==

Re-raised in 1962, the Division differs from more conventional [[infantry]] divisions in the emphasis that is placed on infantry tactics and the limited role that [[Armoured forces|armour]] can be expected to take in operations. The armour that is used may differ from that used by other infantry divisions, for example, specialised mountain guns are required in many areas where the Division might be expected to operate.

The Division was initially created for operations against insurgents fighting for a separate state of [[Nagaland]]. In the mid-[[1990s]], the formation was moved to the [[Kashmir]] valley in response to [[History of the Kashmir conflict|conflict]] there.

During the early summer of [[1999]], the Division was moved north to the [[Kargil District]] to augment the beleaguered 3rd Division, which was based in [[Leh]], during Operation Vijay II. It is now permanently based in that sector as part of XIV Corps.

The Division has been constantly involved in operations since its creation.

==Badge==
[[Image:Indian8DivWWIIBadge0001.jpg|thumb|right|]]
[[Image:IndianDivWWIIBadge0002.jpg|thumb|left|]]
During World War II the insignia of the Division was a yellow four-leafed clover (some versions appear as three-leafed -see images) flanked on each side by a yellow three-leafed clover, their stalks forming a "V", all on a red background. The Division and its members were thus referred to as "clovers".

In its second incarnation the formation sign of the Division depicts a red dagger superimposed on two overlapping gold circles on a black background.

==Sources==
* {{cite book | author=Anon| title=''One More River: The Story of The Eighth Indian Division| publisher=H.W. Smith, Times of India Press| year=1946 |location=Bombay |id=}}
* {{cite book | author=Anon | title=The Tiger Triumphs: The Story of Three Great Divisions in Italy| publisher=HMSO | year=1946 | id=}}
* {{cite book | first=Gregory |last=Blaxland| title=Alexander's Generals (the Italian Campaign 1944-1945)| publisher=William Kimber & Co|location=London | year=2001 | id=ISBN 0 7183 0386 5}}
* {{cite book | first=Lt.-Colonel P.B. |last=Kirrage | title=War Experiences| publisher=Unpublished| year=1947 | id=}}* {{cite book | first=Fred |last=Majdalany | title=Cassino: Portrait of a Battle | publisher=Longmans, Green & Co Ltd., London | year=1957 | id=}}
* {{cite book | first=Compton| last=Mackenzie|authorlink=Compton MacKenzie | title=Eastern Epic| publisher=Chatto & Windus, London | year=1951 | pages=623 pages id=}}
* {{cite book | first=Douglas |last=Orgill | title=The Gothic Line (The Autumn Campaign in Italy 1944)| publisher=Heinemann|location=London | year=1967 | id=}}
* {{cite book | author=Yeats-Brown, F | title=Martial India| publisher=Eyre and Spottiswood| year=1945 | location=London| id=}}
* {{cite book | first=Philip| last=Mason | title=The Indian Divisions Memorial, 1939-1945, [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]] | publisher=Skelton's Press| location=Wellingborough| date=[[1982-06-09]] | }}

==References==
<references/>

==See also==
[[Anglo-Iraqi War|Operation Sabine]] (1941)

[[Category:Divisions of the Indian Army|08]]
[[Category:Indian World War II divisions|8]]

Revision as of 22:53, 26 July 2007

8th Infantry Division
File:Indian8DivWWIIBadge0001.jpg
Active1940 - 1946 (British Indian Army)
1962 - (Indian Army)
CountryIndia
BranchIndian Army
TypeInfantry
Nickname(s)The Clovers
EngagementsIraq 1941
Syria 1941
Persia 1941
Italy 1943 - 1945:
– Battle of Monte Cassino
– Gothic Line
– Spring 1945 offensive
Battle honoursNorth Africa
Italy

The 8th Indian Infantry Division is a division of the Indian Army which specialised in tactics and operations in mountainous territory.

Originally formed in Meerut on 25th October 1940 under Maj General C.O. Harvey, C.B., C.B.E., C.V.O., M.C. as part of the British Indian Army the Division was disbanded at the end of World War II but re-formed again in 1962 as a specialist mountain Division.

HISTORY: World War II

8th Indian Div was one of the most formidable fighting units of the war. Despite its relatively late introduction into the mainstream of battle its members won nearly 600 awards and honours including 4 Victoria Crosses.

Iraq Syria and Iran

When originally formed the Division's main fighting formations were 17th, 18th and 19th Indian Infantry Brigades.

On June 9 1941 17 Brigade arrived in Basra to join Iraqforce which had landed in Iraq in April and had fought the Anglo-Iraqi War to secure the British-owned oilfields. These oilfields were perceived to be threatened when a coup d'etat brought into power Rashid Ali al-Kaylani who was sympathetic to the Axis powers[1]. By the second half of June the brigade had moved to Mosul to defend British-owned oilfields from an anticipated thrust by Axis forces south through the Caucasus.

At the end of June 1 Battalion 12th Frontier Force Regiment and 5 Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles were detached from 17 Brigade to join two battalions from 20 Indian Brigade (part of 10th Indian Infantry Division) to take part in the Syria-Lebanon campaign and capture the Duck's Bill area in north east Syria and secure the Mosul to Aleppo railway.[2]This was achieved without a shot being fired as the Vichy French forces retired westwards.

On July 17 General Harvey and the divisional HQ arrived in Basra and had 24th Indian Brigade (which had arrived on June 16) assigned to the division. 18 Brigade arrived in Iraq on July 26[3]. The British, having secured first the Iraqi oilfields and then Syria, now focused their concern on Persia (now Iran) where it had been estimated there were some 3,000 German nationals working as technicians, commercial agents and advisors[4]. The division first saw shots fired in anger during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran in August 1941 when 24th Brigade made a made a night-time amphibious assault across the Shatt al Arab to capture the oil refinery at Abadan in South Persia. Meanwhile 18 Brigade had crossed into Persia between Basra and Abadan to take Khorramshahr and became part of a three brigade advance (with Hazelforce} towards Ahwaz, 75 miles north east of Basra. The fighting ended on August 28 when the Shah ordered his forces to cease hostlities[5].

19 Brigade arrived in Iraq in August, replacing in the division's formation 24 Brigade (which transferred to Indian 6th Infantry Division), and by October 17, 18 and 19 Brigades had concentrated at Kirkuk in northern Iraq and moved north of the oilfields where they were joined by the 6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers (6th DCO Lancers), the division's reconnaissance regiment.

North Africa

In June 1942 18 Brigade, having been rushed over to North Africa from Mosul, and with only two days to prepare defensive positions, was over-run by Rommel's tanks at Deir el Shein in front of the Ruweisat Ridge. In the process, however, they gained valuable time for British Eighth Army to organise the defenses for what was to be the first battle of Alamein halting Rommel's advance towards Egypt. The Brigade was never re-formed.

Iraq and Syria

From August 1942 the Division, still a brigade short, became part of Paiforce when Persia and Iraq became a separate command under General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson in Baghdad, (General Quinan's Tenth Army in Iraq and Persia having previously come under Middle East Command in Cairo). As the threat from the North faded following the Axis defeats at Alamein and Stalingrad the Division withdrew in October 1942 to Kifri near Baghdad where it was joined by Indian 21st Infantry Brigade and the 3rd, 52nd and 53rd Field Regiments, Royal Artillery. It spent the winter in intensive training.

In January 1943 command of the Division passed to Major General (later Lieut Gen) Dudley Russell , D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C. (The Pasha), the highly successful commander of Indian 5th Infantry Brigade, part of the famous "Red Eagles" Indian 4th Infantry Division. The Division moved in March 1943 to Damascus and continued to spend much of its time training, notably in mountain warfare and combined operations.

In June 1943 the Division was selected to participate in the anticipated Dodecanese Campaign ("Operation Accolade"), and seize the Italian-occupied island of Rhodes, the chief Axis stronghold in the Dodecanese Islands. After frantic preparation and having loaded the first wave of ships, the Division's participation was canceled when the Italian government surrendered and it was redirected to Italy which the German army had continued to occupy.

Italy

On 24th September 1943 the Division landed in Taranto (Italy), to take its part in the Italian Campaign, and for 19 months was almost continuously in action advancing through mountainous country, crossing river after river.

From October 1943 to April 1944 the Division was part of the Allied thrust by British 8th Army up the Adriatic front on the Eastern side of Italy. This involved opposed river crossings of the Biferno, Trigno (October 1943), Sangro (November 1943) and Moro (December 1943). The following three months proved almost as arduous for, although there was no formal offensive, the period was characterised by patrolling and vicious skirmishes in very difficult terrain and abominable winter weather which proved physically hugely demanding and stressful.

Cassino

When the spring came the Division was switched (along with the bulk of 8th Army) 60 miles west across the Apennine mountains to concentrate as part of British XIII Corps along the River Garigliano at a part of the river better known as the Rapido. Their heavily opposed night crossing of the Rapido in May 1944, supported by Canadian tanks (1st Canadian Armoured Brigade) with which the Division had formed a particularly close fighting relationship over the previous six months, was critical to the Allies' success in this fourth and final Battle of Monte Cassino. Following this, the Division advanced some 240 miles in June across mountainous country fighting many actions against rearguards and defended strongpoints. In late June they had reached Assisi and the Division was rested. It was during the fighting on the Rapido that Kamal Ram of the 3/8th Punjab Regiment won his Victoria Cross, at 19 years of age, the youngest recipient of the war.

Florence and the Gothic Line

By the end of July 1944 the Division was back in the line with 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade in front of Florence pushing towards the River Arno. Florence was occupied by 21 Brigade on 12 August where they had the unusual task to recover some of the world's greatest art treasures and arrange safe custody. By mid September the Division was in the mountains again, breaking through the Gothic Line and then spending two months of grim (and ultimately unsuccessful) battling in foul weather towards the plains of Northern Italy together with British 1st Infantry, Brititish 78th Infantry and British 6th Armoured Divisions forming British XIII Corps, which had now become the right wing of the U.S. 5th Army. It was during this time that Thaman Gurung of the 1/5 Royal Gurkha Rifles won his Victoria Cross.

In December 1944 the New Zealand 2nd Division, advancing from the Adriatic on the division's right along the Lombardy Plain, took Faenza and the resistance on the 8th Division's front weakened as the Germans withdrew to shorten their front. In late December 1944 19 and 21 Brigades were rapidly switched across the Apennines to reinforce the US 92nd Infantry Division on the 5th Army's left flank in front of Lucca. By the time they had arrived the Germans had broken through but decisive action by Maj-Gen Russell halted their advance and the situation was stabilised by the New Year. The Division then moved to Pisa for a period of rest.

Spring offensive 1945

In mid-February 1945 the Division was back in the line on the Adriatic front, this time as part of 8th Army's British V Corps, in front of the River Senio. The main assault on the Senio started on 9th April. In desperate fighting two members of the Division, Namdeo Jadav and Ali Haidar, won Victoria Crosses. By 11 April the Division reached and crossed the River Santerno breaking open a hole in the German line for the 78th Division and elements of British 56th Infantry Division to engage the enemy and defeat them in the Argenta Gap. This opened the way to Ferrara and the Po River and for 6th Armoured Division to pass through, veer left and race across country to link with the advancing U.S. 5th Army and complete the encirclement of the divisions of the German 10th and 14th Armies defending Bologna. In the aftermath of the Argenta fighting, the Division drove on rapidly through to Ferrara and across the Po and shortly therefter to their last river crossing of the war, the Adige.

The campaign ended on 2 May 1945. The 6th DCO Lancers marked the occasion with a special mission, sending an officer and nine men far up the road towards Austria and arranged the surrender of 11,000 men of their old enemy the German 1st Parachute Division.

Formation During World War II

General Officer Commanding:

  • Major-General C.O. Harvey (Oct 1940 - Dec 1942)
  • Major-General Dudley Russell (Jan 1943 - Aug 1945)

Headquarters

Commanders divisional artillery:

  • Brigadier R.V.M. Garry (Oct 1940 - Sep 1942)
  • Brigadier M.W. Dewing (Sep 1942 - Sep 1944)
  • Brigadier F.C. Bull (Sep 1944 - Jul 1945)
  • Brigadier T.S. Dobree (Jul 1945 - Aug 1945)
    • HQ
    • 3, 52 & 53 FD Regts RA
    • 26 Light A.A. Regt RA
    • 4 Mahratta Anti-Tank Regt
  • Indian Engineers: Sappers & Miners
    • 7, 66 69 FD Coys K.G.O Bengal
    • 47 FD Park Coy K.G.O. Bengal
  • 8 Indian Div Signals
  • 5 Royal Bn MG 5TH Maharatta Regiment

17 Indian Infantry Brigade

Commanders:

  • Brigadier J.G. Bruce (Nov 1940 - May 1941)
  • Brigadier Douglas Gracey (May 1941 - Mar 1942)
  • Brigadier F.A.M.B. Jenkins (Mar 1942 - Oct 1943)
  • Brigadier H.L. Wyndham (Oct 1943 - Nov 1943)
  • Brigadier J. Scott-Elliott (Nov 1943 - Jan 1944)
  • Brigadier C.H. Boucher (Feb 1944 - Jun 1945)
  • Brigadier P.R. Macnamara (Jun 1945 - Aug 1945)

18 Indian Infantry Brigade (up to June 1942)

Commanders:

19 Indian Infantry Brigade

Commanders:

21 Indian Infantry Brigade (from October 1942)

Commanders:

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

Support Units

  • Royal Indian Army Service Corps
    • 8 Ind Div Troops Tpt Coy
    • 17, 19 & 21 Brigade Tpt Coys
    • Div Supply Units
  • Medical Services
    • I.M.S-R.A.M.C-I.M.D-I.H.C-I.A.M.C
    • 29, 31,& 33 Indian Field Ambulances

  • 8 Indian Div Provost Unit
  • Indian Army Ordnance Corps
    • 8 Indian Div Ordnance FD Park

  • Indian Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
    • 120,121 & 122 Infantry Workshop Coys
    • 8 Indian Div Recovery Coy

HISTORY: Post World War II

Re-raised in 1962, the Division differs from more conventional infantry divisions in the emphasis that is placed on infantry tactics and the limited role that armour can be expected to take in operations. The armour that is used may differ from that used by other infantry divisions, for example, specialised mountain guns are required in many areas where the Division might be expected to operate.

The Division was initially created for operations against insurgents fighting for a separate state of Nagaland. In the mid-1990s, the formation was moved to the Kashmir valley in response to conflict there.

During the early summer of 1999, the Division was moved north to the Kargil District to augment the beleaguered 3rd Division, which was based in Leh, during Operation Vijay II. It is now permanently based in that sector as part of XIV Corps.

The Division has been constantly involved in operations since its creation.

Badge

File:Indian8DivWWIIBadge0001.jpg
File:IndianDivWWIIBadge0002.jpg

During World War II the insignia of the Division was a yellow four-leafed clover (some versions appear as three-leafed -see images) flanked on each side by a yellow three-leafed clover, their stalks forming a "V", all on a red background. The Division and its members were thus referred to as "clovers".

In its second incarnation the formation sign of the Division depicts a red dagger superimposed on two overlapping gold circles on a black background.

Sources

  • Anon (1946). One More River: The Story of The Eighth Indian Division. Bombay: H.W. Smith, Times of India Press.
  • Anon (1946). The Tiger Triumphs: The Story of Three Great Divisions in Italy. HMSO.
  • Blaxland, Gregory (2001). Alexander's Generals (the Italian Campaign 1944-1945). London: William Kimber & Co. ISBN 0 7183 0386 5.
  • Kirrage, Lt.-Colonel P.B. (1947). War Experiences. Unpublished.* Majdalany, Fred (1957). Cassino: Portrait of a Battle. Longmans, Green & Co Ltd., London.
  • Mackenzie, Compton (1951). Eastern Epic. Chatto & Windus, London. pp. 623 pages id=. {{cite book}}: Missing pipe in: |pages= (help)
  • Orgill, Douglas (1967). The Gothic Line (The Autumn Campaign in Italy 1944). London: Heinemann.
  • Yeats-Brown, F (1945). Martial India. London: Eyre and Spottiswood.
  • Mason, Philip (1982-06-09). The Indian Divisions Memorial, 1939-1945, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Wellingborough: Skelton's Press. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)

References

  1. ^ Compton Mackenzie, Eastern Epic, p83
  2. ^ Compton Mackenzie, Eastern Epic, p124
  3. ^ Compton Mackenzie, pp125-6
  4. ^ Compton Mackenzie, Eastern Epic, p129
  5. ^ Compton Mackenzie, pp130-139

See also

Operation Sabine (1941)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:East_of_Lyra&oldid=147330176"