23rd Infantry Division (India)
Encyclopedia
The Indian 23rd Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Indian Army during World War II. It fought in the Burma Campaign
.
in Central India
. Its badge was a red fighting cock on a yellow circle. (The animal was chosen by Major General Reginald Arthur Savory
, the division's first commander, as one which would offend neither the Moslem nor Hindu
soldiers of the division.
In May that year, while the division was still forming, it was ordered to Imphal
in Manipur
, where Burma Corps
was retreating, having been driven out of Burma by the Japanese. Imphal lay within the mountainous frontier between India and Burma, and the division was ordered to move while the monsoon season was at its height. Movement was difficult, and disease (mainly malaria
, but also typhus
) was rampant. The division's chief claim to respect lies in holding its positions in these trying conditions, while also trying to undertake basic training.
On 3 June 1943, Major General Savory was promoted and appointed Director of Infantry in India. The division was temporarily commanded by Brigadier Collingridge of 37th Brigade until 15 August, when Major General Ouvry Lindfield Roberts
, who had gained widespread respect by his handling of operations in the Middle East, was appointed.
When the Japanese offensive began, Indian 17th Infantry Division was cut off in its forward position at Tiddim. One brigade of 23rd division was left to hold Imphal while the remainder of the division was sent to help extricate the 17th Division. Once the two divisions had linked up, they retreated to Bishenpur south of Imphal, being supplied by parachute drops.
The 23rd Division was then sent to Kanglatongbi, north of Imphal, where Japanese troops had cut the road linking Imphal with India and were threatening a major supply dump. The Japanese were held back while the dump was emptied of stores.
In June, all the divisions at Imphal were reorganised and repositioned. 23rd Division defended the Shenam Saddle southeast of Imphal against the last Japanese attacks in this area.
, a landing on the west coast of Malaya, as part of XXXIV Corps. Although forestalled by the Japanese surrender, the landing took place unopposed, as the quickest means of sending troops to Malaya to enforce the surrender.
Later that year, the division was sent to Java
, where the end of the war had brought widespread disorder and conflict between the Dutch colonial regime and pro-independence movements. The division was broken up in Java, and its units were merged into Indian 5th Infantry Division
.
Burma Campaign
The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...
.
History
The division was raised on 1 January 1942, at JhansiJhansi
Jhansi Hindi:झाँसी, , Marathi: झाशी, is a historical city of India. Jhansi is the administrative headquarters of Jhansi District and Jhansi Division. The original walled city grew up around its stone fort, which crowns a neighboring rock. This district is on the bank of river Betwa.The National...
in Central India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Its badge was a red fighting cock on a yellow circle. (The animal was chosen by Major General Reginald Arthur Savory
Reginald Arthur Savory
Lieutenant-General Sir Reginald Arthur Savory, KCIE, CB, DSO, MC was a British Indian Army officer during World War I and World War II....
, the division's first commander, as one which would offend neither the Moslem nor Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
soldiers of the division.
In May that year, while the division was still forming, it was ordered to Imphal
Imphal
Imphal is the capital of the Indian state of Manipur.In the heart of the town and surrounded by a moat, are ruins of the old Palace of Kangla. Kangla Fort used to be the home of the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force and on November 2004 it was handed over to state of Manipur by Prime minister Dr....
in Manipur
Manipur
Manipur is a state in northeastern India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west; it also borders Burma to the east. It covers an area of...
, where Burma Corps
Burma Corps
The Burma Corps was an Army Corps of the Indian Army during World War II.It was formed in Prome, Burma in March 1942, it took part in the Burma Campaign and was disbanded on arrival in India in May 1942.-Formation:*1st Burma Infantry Division...
was retreating, having been driven out of Burma by the Japanese. Imphal lay within the mountainous frontier between India and Burma, and the division was ordered to move while the monsoon season was at its height. Movement was difficult, and disease (mainly malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
, but also typhus
Typhus
Epidemic typhus is a form of typhus so named because the disease often causes epidemics following wars and natural disasters...
) was rampant. The division's chief claim to respect lies in holding its positions in these trying conditions, while also trying to undertake basic training.
On 3 June 1943, Major General Savory was promoted and appointed Director of Infantry in India. The division was temporarily commanded by Brigadier Collingridge of 37th Brigade until 15 August, when Major General Ouvry Lindfield Roberts
Ouvry Lindfield Roberts
General Sir Ouvry Lindfield Roberts, GCB, KBE, DSO was an officer in the British Army and the British Indian Army during World War I and World War II.-Military career:...
, who had gained widespread respect by his handling of operations in the Middle East, was appointed.
Battle of Imphal
In March, 1944, the Japanese launched a major attack on the British troops at Imphal. At the time, 23rd Division was the reserve unit for Indian IV Corps. After its previous service in Imphal, the division was no less than 5,000 men short of establishment (about 18,500). This was due mainly to disease, and poor administration in the rear areas in 1943, which prevented many recovering sick men from rejoining the division.When the Japanese offensive began, Indian 17th Infantry Division was cut off in its forward position at Tiddim. One brigade of 23rd division was left to hold Imphal while the remainder of the division was sent to help extricate the 17th Division. Once the two divisions had linked up, they retreated to Bishenpur south of Imphal, being supplied by parachute drops.
The 23rd Division was then sent to Kanglatongbi, north of Imphal, where Japanese troops had cut the road linking Imphal with India and were threatening a major supply dump. The Japanese were held back while the dump was emptied of stores.
In June, all the divisions at Imphal were reorganised and repositioned. 23rd Division defended the Shenam Saddle southeast of Imphal against the last Japanese attacks in this area.
Operation Zipper
After the end of the Battle of Imphal, the division was withdrawn to India. After recuperating, it began training for future operations in Malaya. Major General Roberts was promoted to command Indian XXXIV Corps, and the division was commanded by Major General Douglas Hawthorn. In mid-1945, the division was due to take part in Operation ZipperOperation Zipper
During the Second World War, Operation Zipper was a British plan to capture either Port Swettenham or Port Dickson, Malaya as staging areas for the recapture of Singapore. However, due to the end of the war in the Pacific, it was never fully executed. Some of the proposed landings on Penang went...
, a landing on the west coast of Malaya, as part of XXXIV Corps. Although forestalled by the Japanese surrender, the landing took place unopposed, as the quickest means of sending troops to Malaya to enforce the surrender.
Later that year, the division was sent to Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
, where the end of the war had brought widespread disorder and conflict between the Dutch colonial regime and pro-independence movements. The division was broken up in Java, and its units were merged into Indian 5th Infantry Division
Indian 5th Infantry Division
Indian 5th Infantry Division was an infantry division in the Indian Army during World War II which fought in several theatres of war and more than earned its nickname the "Ball of Fire".- History :...
.
Order of battle
as of April 1, 1944- GOC Major General Ouvry RobertsOuvry Lindfield RobertsGeneral Sir Ouvry Lindfield Roberts, GCB, KBE, DSO was an officer in the British Army and the British Indian Army during World War I and World War II.-Military career:...
- 1st Indian Infantry Brigade1st Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 1st Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in September 1939, in Abbottabad in India...
(Brigadier A. King)- 1st Bn. Seaforth HighlandersSeaforth HighlandersThe Seaforth Highlanders was a historic regiment of the British Army associated with large areas of the northern Highlands of Scotland. The Seaforth Highlanders have varied in size from two battalions to seventeen battalions during the Great War...
- 1st Bn. 16th Punjab Regiment16th Punjab RegimentThe 16th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 14th and 15th Punjab Regiments in 1956 to form the Punjab Regiment....
- 1st Bn. Patiala Infantry Regiment (State forces)
- 1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
- 37th Indian Infantry Brigade37th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 37th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in June 1941, at Quetta in India and assigned to the 14th Indian Infantry Division. The brigade was then assigned to the 23rd Indian Infantry Division in June 1942...
(Brigadier P. C. Marindin)- 3rd Bn. 3rd Gurkha Rifles
- 3rd Bn. 5th Gurkha Rifles
- 3rd Bn. 10th Gurkha Rifles
- 49th Indian Infantry Brigade49th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 49th Indian Infantry Brigade was an infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in October 1941 at Bolarum in India. It was assigned to the 19th Indian Infantry Division. The brigade fought in the Burma Campaign and moved between a number of infantry divisions...
(Brigadier F. Esse)- 4th Bn. 5th Mahratta Light Infantry5th Mahratta Light InfantryThe 5th Mahratta Light Infantry was a regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922, whenthe Indian government reformed the army moving from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments. The regiment fought in World War II and raised 30 battalions...
- 6th Bn. 5th Mahratta Light Infantry
- 6th Bn. 6th Rajputana Rifles6th Rajputana RiflesThe 6th Rajputana Rifles were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. They were formed in 1922, after the Indian government reformed the army. They moved away from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments...
- 4th Bn. 5th Mahratta Light Infantry
- Divisional Units
- 2nd Bn. 19th Hyderabad Regiment19th Hyderabad RegimentThe 19th Hyderabad Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed following the post World War I reforms of the Indian Army when they moved from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments...
(divisional reconnaissance unit) - 4th Bn. 12th Frontier Force Regiment12th Frontier Force RegimentThe 12th Frontier Force Regiment was part of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922. It consisted of five regular battalions; numbered 1 to 5 and the 10th Battalion. During the Second World War a further ten battalions were raised. In 1945 the prenomial "12th" was dropped when the British...
(divisional machine-gun unit)
- 2nd Bn. 19th Hyderabad Regiment
-
- 3 Field Regiment Royal Indian ArtilleryRoyal Indian ArtilleryThe Royal Regiment of Indian Artillery, generally known as the Royal Indian Artillery , was an administrative corps of the British Indian Army...
(IA) - 28 Mountain Regiment IA
- 2 Anti-Tank/Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment IA
- 3 Field Regiment Royal Indian Artillery
-
- 23 Indian Infantry Division Provost Unit
- 23 Indian Infantry Division Signal Unit
-
- 69, 71, 91 Field Companies Royal Indian Engineers (IE)
- 305 Field Park Company IE
-
- 21, 24, 50, 61 Animal Transport Companies Indian Army Service Corps (IASC)
- 121, 122, 123 General Purpose Transport Companies IASC
- 12, 13, 14, 15 Composite Units IASC
-
- 24, 47, 49 Indian Field Ambulances, Indian Army Medical CorpsIndian Army Medical Corps-Early history:Very little is known of the medical organisations that existed in the various Armies in this country in the ancient times. However, Kautilya’s Arthashastra shows that during battles, physicians with surgical instruments used to stand behind the fighting men...
(IAMC)
- 24, 47, 49 Indian Field Ambulances, Indian Army Medical Corps
-
- 23 Ordnance Field Park, Indian Army Ordnance Corps (IAOC)
-
- 38, 61 Infantry Workshop Companies, Indian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (IEME)
- 23 Indian Division Recovery Company IEME
Assigned brigades
All theses brigades were assigned or attached to the division at some time during World War II- 63rd Indian Infantry Brigade63rd Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 63rd Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in January 1942, at Jhansi in India and assigned to the 23rd Indian Infantry Division...
- 98th Indian Infantry Brigade98th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 98th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in April 1941, at Bareilly. The brigade served with three different divisions in the Burma Campaign. The 34th Indian Infantry Division between October 1941 and January 1942...
- 64th Indian Infantry Brigade64th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 64th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in February 1942, at Babina in India and assigned to the 23rd Indian Infantry Division....
- 23rd Indian Infantry Brigade23rd Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 23rd Indian Infantry Brigade was an infantry formation of the Indian Army from 1941 to at least 1947. The brigade was formed in February 1941, at Loralai in India and in June 1941, assigned to the 14th Indian Infantry Division. In March 1942, the brigade was assigned to the 23rd Indian Infantry...
- 1st Indian Infantry Brigade1st Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 1st Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in September 1939, in Abbottabad in India...
- 49th Indian Infantry Brigade49th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 49th Indian Infantry Brigade was an infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in October 1941 at Bolarum in India. It was assigned to the 19th Indian Infantry Division. The brigade fought in the Burma Campaign and moved between a number of infantry divisions...
- 123rd Indian Infantry Brigade
- 37th Indian Infantry Brigade37th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 37th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in June 1941, at Quetta in India and assigned to the 14th Indian Infantry Division. The brigade was then assigned to the 23rd Indian Infantry Division in June 1942...
- 50th Indian Parachute Brigade
- 32nd Indian Infantry Brigade32nd Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 32nd Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in January 1941, in India and assigned to the HQ Western Independent District until April 1942...
- 37th Indian Infantry Brigade37th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 37th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in June 1941, at Quetta in India and assigned to the 14th Indian Infantry Division. The brigade was then assigned to the 23rd Indian Infantry Division in June 1942...
- 268th Indian Infantry Brigade268th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 268th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in October 1942, by the re designation of 268th Indian Armoured Brigade. It was assigned to the 43rd Indian Armoured Division until March 1943. Then the 44th Indian Armoured Division...
- British 5th Infantry BrigadeBritish 5th Infantry BrigadeThe 5th Infantry Brigade was a regular British Army formation from the First World War to disbandment in 1999.- History :During both World War I and the Second World War the 5th Brigade was part of the 2nd Infantry Division. It served in France in 1940, was evacuated to Britain from Dunkirk and...
Further reading
- Parrott, J. G. A., Role of the 49 Indian Infantry Brigade in Surabaya, Oct.-Nov. 1945, Australian thesis