82nd (West Africa) Division
Encyclopedia
The 82nd Division was formed under British control during World War II
. It took part in the later stages of the Burma Campaign
and was disbanded in Burma between May and September 1946.
. He had extensive experience of leading East African troops, and early in World War II became the commander of Britain's West Africa Command
. He was eager for troops from Britain's African colonies to play their part in the war. When he was subsequently appointed to command India Command's Eastern Army, facing the Japanese army on the frontier between India and Burma, he requested that the two divisions being organised in West Africa be used in the Burma campaign
.
The division was formed from the existing 1st
and 2nd (West Africa) Infantry Brigade
s, which previously took part in the East African Campaign
in 1940 and 1941, and the freshly raised 4th (Nigerian). The Division's headquarters was created 1 August 1943. It followed the British 81st (West Africa) Division in the numbering sequence of British war-raised infantry divisions. The HQ took control of its sub-units on 1 November that year.
The division's formation sign was crossed spears on a porter's headband, in black (sometimes white) on a yellow shield.
, where the complete division was assembled on 20 July. In August the organisation was slightly changed with supporting arms (which had previously been dispersed between the brigades) being controlled by the division HQ. The division was organised on a "head load" basis with porters carrying all heavy equipment and supplies. Although many of the troops were from the savannah
of northern Ghana
and Nigeria
, they were well-trained and effective when operating in jungle and mountains.
After further training, the division took part in the third Arakan campaign in December 1944 under Indian XV Corps
. On 15 December the Division captured Buthidaung
on the Kalapanzin River and created a bridgehead on the east bank of the river. This allowed allied troops to control the Maungdaw
-Buthidaung road which had been contested for three years and enabled the transport of 650 river craft by road through railway tunnels to Buthidaung to supply Indian troops in the Mayu
Range.
The 82nd Division then crossed a steep and jungle-covered mountain range to converge with the British 81st (West Africa) Division on Myohaung near the mouth of the Kaladan River
. This move forced the Japanese to evacuate the Mayu peninsula which they had held for almost four years and retreat south along the coast. As they retreated, British commandos
from the 3rd Commando Brigade and units of the Indian 25th Infantry Division
landed in inlets and chaungs ahead of them. Caught between the troops landing from the sea and the pursuing 82nd African Division, the Japanese suffered heavy casualties.
At this point, air supply was withdrawn from the Arakan front to allow the transport aircraft to supply the Allied forces in Central Burma. The 82nd Division's carrier battalions carried all supplies and equipment for the division from this point.
The Japanese 54th Division holding the Arakan was divided into two detachments holding the roads across the Arakan Hills leading from An and Taungup. The 82nd Division was asked to cross the Dalet Chaung and hilly terrain supplied by air to approach the An Pass from the north west. The 1st and 4th (Nigerian) Brigades suffered heavy casualties in opening the routes to Kaw and Kyweguseik in late February. The 4th Brigade even lost two of its commanding officers. By March, in coordination with Indian units the division captured Dalet Chaung and the strategic supply base of Tamandu
.
The Gold Coast 2nd Brigade based at Letmauk subsequently became the target of intense Japanese counter-attacks, sustaining heavy casualties. They were forced to withdraw, covered by the 1st (Nigerian) Brigade. By sending long distance fighting patrols to harass the Japanese flanks the Nigerian unit was able to force a Japanese retreat and retake An on 13 May, 1945. Meanwhile, the main body of the division with the East African 22nd Brigade under command, advanced south from Tamandu. By the end of May Kindaungyyi, Taungup and Sandoway had been captured. Campaigning ceased during the monsoon
rains but the war ended a few weeks later.
. Others are remembered at the War Memorial in Rangoon
.
Other commemorations of the division's (and its component formations') service are the names of Dodan
, An, Myohaung, Arakan and Marda Barracks in Lagos
; Letmauk Barracks in Ibadan
; Dalet, Mogadishu, Colito and Kalapanzin Barracks in Kaduna
; and, the Chindit Barracks in Zaria;
12/01/1945)
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It took part in the later stages of the Burma Campaign
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...
and was disbanded in Burma between May and September 1946.
Formation
The inspiration for the division's formation came from General George GiffardGeorge Giffard
General Sir George Giffard GCB DSO was a British military officer, who had a distinguished career in command of African troops in World War I, rising to command an Army Group in South East Asia in World War II.-Early career:...
. He had extensive experience of leading East African troops, and early in World War II became the commander of Britain's West Africa Command
West Africa Command
-History:After the First World War, military forces in the four British West African colonies were under the control of the individual colonial governments. "The regiments of the four colonies were all under the umbrella of the Royal West African Frontier Force...
. He was eager for troops from Britain's African colonies to play their part in the war. When he was subsequently appointed to command India Command's Eastern Army, facing the Japanese army on the frontier between India and Burma, he requested that the two divisions being organised in West Africa be used in the Burma campaign
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...
.
The division was formed from the existing 1st
1st (West Africa) Infantry Brigade
The 1st Infantry Brigade was an infantry formation of the British Army during World War II. It was formed in 1940 from battalions of the Royal West African Frontier Force and served in the East African campaign against the Italians and against the Japanese in Burma.-History:The 1st Infantry...
and 2nd (West Africa) Infantry Brigade
2nd (West Africa) Infantry Brigade
The 2nd Infantry Brigade was a World War II unit of the British Army it was formed from battalions of the Royal West African Frontier Force in 1940...
s, which previously took part in the East African Campaign
East African Campaign (World War II)
The East African Campaign was a series of battles fought in East Africa during World War II by the British Empire, the British Commonwealth of Nations and several allies against the forces of Italy from June 1940 to November 1941....
in 1940 and 1941, and the freshly raised 4th (Nigerian). The Division's headquarters was created 1 August 1943. It followed the British 81st (West Africa) Division in the numbering sequence of British war-raised infantry divisions. The HQ took control of its sub-units on 1 November that year.
The division's formation sign was crossed spears on a porter's headband, in black (sometimes white) on a yellow shield.
Burma campaign
On 20 May, 1944, the division sailed for CeylonSri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, where the complete division was assembled on 20 July. In August the organisation was slightly changed with supporting arms (which had previously been dispersed between the brigades) being controlled by the division HQ. The division was organised on a "head load" basis with porters carrying all heavy equipment and supplies. Although many of the troops were from the savannah
Savannah
Savannah or savanna is a type of grassland.It can also mean:-People:* Savannah King, a Canadian freestyle swimmer* Savannah Outen, a singer who gained popularity on You Tube...
of northern Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
and Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, they were well-trained and effective when operating in jungle and mountains.
After further training, the division took part in the third Arakan campaign in December 1944 under Indian XV Corps
XV Corps (British India)
The XV Corps was a formation of the British Indian Army, which was formed in India during World War II. It took part in the Burma Campaign and was disbanded after the end of the war.-World War II:...
. On 15 December the Division captured Buthidaung
Buthidaung
Buthidaung is a town in the Rakhine State of westernmost part of Myanmar. It is the administrative seat of Buthidaung Township. It lies on the west bank of Mayu river. Flood hit in July 2011.-External links:*...
on the Kalapanzin River and created a bridgehead on the east bank of the river. This allowed allied troops to control the Maungdaw
Maungdaw
Maungdaw is a town in the Rakhine State of westernmost part of Myanmar. It it the administrative seat of Maungdaw Township and Maungdaw District.Since September 1995, border trade between Maungdaw of Myanmar and Teknaf of Bangladesh is formally established....
-Buthidaung road which had been contested for three years and enabled the transport of 650 river craft by road through railway tunnels to Buthidaung to supply Indian troops in the Mayu
Mayu
Mayu, Myu is a river in Rakhine State in Myanmar. It is named after Mayu Mountain. It is formerly called as Manlayuwaddy. It is the 3rd most used river in Rakhine. It is 96 miles long and ended into Bay of Bengal near the Sittwe. It passes through Buthidaung, Rathedaung and Sittwe Township....
Range.
The 82nd Division then crossed a steep and jungle-covered mountain range to converge with the British 81st (West Africa) Division on Myohaung near the mouth of the Kaladan River
Kaladan River
The Kaladan River is a river in eastern Mizoram State of India, and in Chin State and Rakhine State of western Myanmar. It forms the international border between India and Burma between 22° 47′ 10" N and 22° 11′ 06" N.-Geography:The river arises in central Chin State as the Timit, 22° 49′ 28″ N ...
. This move forced the Japanese to evacuate the Mayu peninsula which they had held for almost four years and retreat south along the coast. As they retreated, British commandos
British Commandos
The British Commandos were formed during the Second World War in June 1940, following a request from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, for a force that could carry out raids against German-occupied Europe...
from the 3rd Commando Brigade and units of the Indian 25th Infantry Division
25th Infantry Division (India)
The 25th Indian Infantry Division was a division of the Indian Army during World War II which fought in the Burma Campaign during World War II.-History:...
landed in inlets and chaungs ahead of them. Caught between the troops landing from the sea and the pursuing 82nd African Division, the Japanese suffered heavy casualties.
At this point, air supply was withdrawn from the Arakan front to allow the transport aircraft to supply the Allied forces in Central Burma. The 82nd Division's carrier battalions carried all supplies and equipment for the division from this point.
The Japanese 54th Division holding the Arakan was divided into two detachments holding the roads across the Arakan Hills leading from An and Taungup. The 82nd Division was asked to cross the Dalet Chaung and hilly terrain supplied by air to approach the An Pass from the north west. The 1st and 4th (Nigerian) Brigades suffered heavy casualties in opening the routes to Kaw and Kyweguseik in late February. The 4th Brigade even lost two of its commanding officers. By March, in coordination with Indian units the division captured Dalet Chaung and the strategic supply base of Tamandu
Tamandu
Tamandu was a village in Ann Township, Kyaukpyu District, in northern Rakhine State in the westernmost part of Burma . Tamandu was located on the southside of the Dalet River just after it passes through the Kolonzin Range of hills and on the edge of the delta...
.
The Gold Coast 2nd Brigade based at Letmauk subsequently became the target of intense Japanese counter-attacks, sustaining heavy casualties. They were forced to withdraw, covered by the 1st (Nigerian) Brigade. By sending long distance fighting patrols to harass the Japanese flanks the Nigerian unit was able to force a Japanese retreat and retake An on 13 May, 1945. Meanwhile, the main body of the division with the East African 22nd Brigade under command, advanced south from Tamandu. By the end of May Kindaungyyi, Taungup and Sandoway had been captured. Campaigning ceased during the monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
rains but the war ended a few weeks later.
Memorials
During the third Arakan campaign, the 82nd Division suffered 2,085 casualties, the highest of any unit in XV Corps. Some of those killed were buried in jungle tracts, but many Nigerian graves remain in cemeteries at the Dalet Chaung near Tamandu and the Taukkyan War CemeteryTaukkyan War Cemetery
The Taukkyan War Cemetery is a memorial to Allied soldiers from the British Commonwealth who died in battle in Burma during the Second World War....
. Others are remembered at the War Memorial in Rangoon
Yangon
Yangon is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Region . Although the military government has officially relocated the capital to Naypyidaw since March 2006, Yangon, with a population of over four million, continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial...
.
Other commemorations of the division's (and its component formations') service are the names of Dodan
Dodan Barracks
Dodan Barracks is a military barracks occupying a large area located off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. Dodan Barracks was the residence of the heads of state of various Military Governments in Nigeria, and also the Supreme Military Headquarters from 1966 until the move to Abuja in 1991.The...
, An, Myohaung, Arakan and Marda Barracks in Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
; Letmauk Barracks in Ibadan
Ibadan
Ibadan is the capital city of Oyo State and the third largest metropolitan area in Nigeria, after Lagos and Kano, with a population of 1,338,659 according to the 2006 census. Ibadan is also the largest metropolitan geographical area...
; Dalet, Mogadishu, Colito and Kalapanzin Barracks in Kaduna
Kaduna
Kaduna is the state capital of Kaduna State in north-central Nigeria. The city, located on the Kaduna River, is a trade center and a major transportation hub for the surrounding agricultural areas with its rail and road junction. The population of Kaduna is at 760,084 as of the 2006 Nigerian census...
; and, the Chindit Barracks in Zaria;
Order of Battle (as of 1 January, 1945)
General Officer Commanding : Major General George McIlree Stanton Bruce (replaced due to illness by Major General Hugh Charles StockwellHugh Stockwell
General Sir Hugh Charles Stockwell GCB, KBE, DSO & Bar was a British soldier, most remembered for commanding the Anglo-French ground forces during the Suez Crisis and his service as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO from 1960 to 1964.-Early life:Stockwell was born in Jersey, but spent...
12/01/1945)
- 1st (West Africa) Infantry Brigade1st (West Africa) Infantry BrigadeThe 1st Infantry Brigade was an infantry formation of the British Army during World War II. It was formed in 1940 from battalions of the Royal West African Frontier Force and served in the East African campaign against the Italians and against the Japanese in Burma.-History:The 1st Infantry...
- 1st Bn. The Nigeria RegimentNigeria RegimentThe Nigeria Regiment, Royal West African Frontier Force, was formed by the amalgamation of the Northern Nigeria Regiment and the Southern Nigeria Regiment on January 1 1914...
- 2nd Bn. The Nigeria Regiment
- 3rd Bn. The Nigeria Regiment
- 1st Bn. The Nigeria Regiment
- 2nd (West Africa) Infantry Brigade2nd (West Africa) Infantry BrigadeThe 2nd Infantry Brigade was a World War II unit of the British Army it was formed from battalions of the Royal West African Frontier Force in 1940...
- 1st Bn. The Gold Coast Regiment
- 2nd Bn. The Gold Coast Regiment
- 3rd Bn. The Gold Coast Regiment
- 4th (West Africa) Infantry Brigade
- 5th Bn. The Nigeria Regiment
- 9th Bn. The Nigeria Regiment
- 10th Bn. The Nigeria Regiment
- Divisional Units
- 82nd (West Africa) Infantry Division Regiment (HQ Defence unit)
-
- 102 Light Regiment West African Artillery
- 1st Light Battery WAA
- 2nd Light Battery WAA
- 4th Light Battery WAA
- 42nd Mortar Regiment WAA
- 22nd Anti-Tank Regiment WAA
- 102 Light Regiment West African Artillery
-
- 1st Field Company West African Engineers
- 2nd Field Company WAE
- 4th Field Company WAE
- 9th Field Park Company WAE