14th Indian Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
For the World War I formation see 14th Indian Division
14th Indian Division
For the World War II formation see 14th Indian Infantry DivisionThe 14th Indian Division was formed during World War I, for service in the Mesopotamia Campaign...



The Indian 14th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Indian Army during World War II. It fought in the Arakan Campaign 1942-1943, and was subsequently converted into a Training Division, providing drafts of replacements for units of the Fourteenth Army during 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...

.

Formation and early actions

The division was raised on 1 June, 1941, at Quetta
Quetta
is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is home to the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which contains some of the rarest species of wildlife in the...

 in Baluchistan
Baluchistan (Chief Commissioners Province)
The Chief Commissioner's Province of Baluchistan was a province of British India located in the northern parts of the modern Balochistan province.- History :...

. Its badge was a depiction in black and white of the ranges of mountains above Quetta, surrounded by a stylised letter "Q" in white on a black background. The division had temporary commanders while forming. On 15 October 1941, Major General Wilfrid Lewis Lloyd
Wilfrid Lewis Lloyd
Major-General Wilfrid Lewis Lloyd CBE, DSO, MC was an officer in the British Army and the Indian Army during World War I and World War II.-World War I:...

, who had a distinguished record as commander of a brigade in the Western Desert, was appointed commander.

When first formed, the division was intended to operate in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....

 and Persia
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...

, then under Allied military occupation, and first trained for mountain and desert warfare. It consisted of the 23rd, 36th and 37th Indian Infantry brigades. In December, war with Imperial Japan broke out. In March, after the Japanese captured 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...

, the capital of Burma, the division was reassigned to the eastern frontier of India, and its existing brigades were dispersed to other divisions being formed. The 47th
47th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 47th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed October 1942, at Secunderabad in India and assigned to the 19th Indian Infantry Division...

 and 49th Indian Infantry Brigade
49th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 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...

s were assigned to the division in March 1942, although the 49th Brigade was removed in May. The 23rd Indian Brigade was retitled the 123rd Indian Infantry Brigade
23rd Indian Infantry Brigade
The 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...

 and returned to the division in July.

In the aftermath of the Japanese conquest of Burma, the 14th Division was sent to garrison Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...

, on the frontier with Burma. As part of the lessons learned by the British Indian Army in the retreat from Burma, the division's equipment was lightened and its establishment was reduced, to allow easier movement off roads and in difficult terrain. The divisional transport consisted of four jeep companies and six mule companies. The division was renamed 14th Indian (Light) Division to reflect these changes.

The light establishment supposedly included only two infantry brigades (instead of the usual three). However, in July 1942, the division also took over the 55th Indian Infantry Brigade
55th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 55th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in April 1942, in India. and assigned to the 7th Indian Infantry Division. In July to September 1942, it was attached to the North Western Army. Afterwards the brigade was assigned to...

 as a third brigade, and also the 88th Indian Infantry Brigade
88th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 88th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in September 1942, at Chittagong to protect 14th Indian Infantry Division's Lines of Communications and disbanded on 8 May 1943...

 for the static defence of Chittagong. The main body of the division held a line around Cox's Bazaar, on the frontier with Burma.

First Arakan Campaign

In late 1942, the division began an advance in the Burmese coastal province of Arakan
Rakhine State
Rakhine State is a Burmese state. Situated on the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State in the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region in the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. It is located approximately between...

, intending ultimately to recapture Akyab Island
Sittwe
-Economy:In February 2007, India announced a plan to develop the port, which would enable ocean access from Indian Northeastern states, so called "Seven sisters", like Mizoram, via the Kaladan River....

, vital for its airfields. When well-constructed Japanese defences were encountered on the Mayu peninsula only a few miles from the island, extra brigades were added to the division. Eventually, the division HQ commanded no less than nine brigades and a large rear communications area, making effective administration and coordination impossible. A temporary headquarters, "Mayforce", was created to control operations in the Mayu River valley, separated from the main body of the division by a rugged hill range.

Frontal attacks on the Japanese positions failed with heavy losses. On 29 February 1943, Lieutenant General Noel Irwin
Noel Irwin
Lieutenant General Noel Mackintosh Stuart Irwin CB, DSO & Two Bars, MC was a British soldier, who played a prominent role in the British Army after the Dunkirk evacuation, and in the Burma Campaign...

, the commander of Eastern Army, dismissed Major General Lloyd and took personal command of the division. Japanese reinforcements attacked the division's exposed left flank, overrunning several units and forcing the remainder to make a disorderly withdrawal.

On 14 April, 1943, the division HQ was withdrawn to Ranchi
Ranchi
-Climate:Ranchi has a humid subtropical climate. However, due to its position and the forests around the city, it is known for its pleasant climate. Its climate is the primary reason why Ranchi was once the summer capital of the undivided State of Bihar...

 in Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....

 to reform, being replaced by the headquarters of Indian 26th Infantry Division
Indian 26th Infantry Division
The 26th Indian Infantry Division, was part of the Indian Army during World War II. It fought in the Burma Campaign.-History:When the Japanese invaded Burma in 1942, the various units in training or stationed around Barrackpur near Calcutta in India were hastily formed into the "Calcutta" Division...

. Soon afterwards, on 8 May 1943, 88 Infantry Brigade was disbanded.

Order of Battle 14 April 1943 (on withdrawal from Arakan)

General Officer Commanding: General Noel Irwin
Noel Irwin
Lieutenant General Noel Mackintosh Stuart Irwin CB, DSO & Two Bars, MC was a British soldier, who played a prominent role in the British Army after the Dunkirk evacuation, and in the Burma Campaign...


  • 47th Indian Infantry Brigade
    • 1st Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
      Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
      The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was a Irish infantry regiment of the British Army formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 27th Regiment of Foot and the 108th Regiment of Foot...

    • 1st Bn. 7th Rajput Regiment
      7th Rajput Regiment
      The 7th Rajput Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922, after the Indian government decided to reform the army moving away from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments...

    • 5th Bn. 8th Punjab Regiment
      8th Punjab Regiment
      The 8th 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 merged with the Baluch Regiment in 1956.-Madras Infantry:...


  • 55th Indian Infantry Brigade
    55th Indian Infantry Brigade
    The 55th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in April 1942, in India. and assigned to the 7th Indian Infantry Division. In July to September 1942, it was attached to the North Western Army. Afterwards the brigade was assigned to...

    • 2nd Bn. 1st Punjab Regiment
      1st Punjab Regiment
      The 1st Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 14th, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....

    • 8th Bn. 6th Rajputana Rifles
      6th Rajputana Rifles
      The 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...

    • 1st Bn. 15th Punjab Regiment
      15th Punjab Regiment
      The 15th 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 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956 to form the Punjab Regiment....


  • 123rd Indian Infantry Brigade
    • 10th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers
      Lancashire Fusiliers
      The Lancashire Fusiliers was a British infantry regiment that was amalgamated with other Fusilier regiments in 1968 to form the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.- Formation and early history:...

    • 8th Bn. 10th Baluch Regiment
      10th Baluch Regiment
      The 10th Baluch or Baluch Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. After the Partition of India, it was transferred to the Pakistan Army. In 1956, it was amalgamated with the 8th Punjab and Bahawalpur Regiments...


  • 88th Indian Infantry Brigade
    88th Indian Infantry Brigade
    The 88th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in September 1942, at Chittagong to protect 14th Indian Infantry Division's Lines of Communications and disbanded on 8 May 1943...

     (Chittagong garrison)
    • 5th Bn. 9th Jat Regiment
      9th Jat Regiment
      The 9th Jat Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922, after the Indian government reformed the army, moving from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments.-World War II:...

    • 1st Bn. 16th Punjab Regiment
      16th Punjab Regiment
      The 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....

    • 14th Bn. 12th Frontier Force Regiment
      12th Frontier Force Regiment
      The 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...



The British 6th Brigade
6th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
- World War I :The brigade was part of 2nd Division. It was composed as follows;*1st Battalion, The King's *2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment*13th Battalion , The Essex Regiment...

, 4th Indian Infantry Brigade
4th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 4th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in September 1939, as the 7th Indian Infantry Brigade and renumbered 4th in June 1940,...

, 71st Indian Infantry Brigade
71st Indian Infantry Brigade
The 71st Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in March 1942, at Nowshera in India. The brigade was assigned to the 26th Indian Infantry Division on formation...

, British 29th Brigade and British 72nd Brigade were attached from other divisions.
  • Divisional Units
    • MG Bn. 9th Jat Regiment
      9th Jat Regiment
      The 9th Jat Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922, after the Indian government reformed the army, moving from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments.-World War II:...

       (divisional machine-gun unit)
    • 130 Field Regiment Royal Artillery
      Royal Artillery
      The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...

    • 44th Light Anti-aircraft Regiment RA
    • 23 Mountain Regiment Royal Indian Artillery
      Royal Indian Artillery
      The Royal Regiment of Indian Artillery, generally known as the Royal Indian Artillery , was an administrative corps of the British Indian Army...

    • 14 Indian Infantry Division Signal Regiment
    • 26, 73, 74 Field Companies, Indian Engineers (IE)
    • 306 Field Park Company IE
    • 60th Indian Field Ambulance RIAMC (Selected for airborne duties and moved to 44th Indian Airborne Division)

History as 14th Indian Training division

It was recognised that a major factor in early Allied defeats in Burma was the lack of training of British and Indian soldiers. Regimental training centres were unable to produce soldiers trained for any one theatre, as the battalions of a regiment were dispersed between formations and theatres all over the world. On 14 June 1943, the 14th Division was converted to a Training Division. It was stationed at Chhindwara
Chhindwara
Chhindwara is a town and a municipality in Chhindwara district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of Chhindwara District. Chhindwara is reachable by rail or road from adjacent cities Nagpur and Jabalpur...

 in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....

, where the terrain and vegetation matched the conditions likely to be encountered in Burma, but the comparatively mild climate allowed training throughout the year. The division was commanded by Major General Alfred Curtis. Although its purpose was to supply jungle-trained reinforcements to Fourteenth Army which controlled operations on India's eastern frontier and in Burma, it reported directly to GHQ India under General Claude Auchinleck
Claude Auchinleck
Field Marshal Sir Claude John Eyre Auchinleck, GCB, GCIE, CSI, DSO, OBE , nicknamed "The Auk", was a British army commander during World War II. He was a career soldier who spent much of his military career in India, where he developed a love of the country and a lasting affinity for the soldiers...

.

Recruits who had already received basic training in regimental depots were posted to units in 14th Division, to undertake jungle training and live-firing exercises. On completion of this advanced training, they were then assigned to divisional replacement camps, ready to report to their units when required. The division also ran longer courses for officers and NCOs
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...

.

Order of Battle as Training Division, 14 August 1943

General Officer Commanding: Major General Alfred Curtis
  • 47th Indian Infantry Brigade
    47th Indian Infantry Brigade
    The 47th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed October 1942, at Secunderabad in India and assigned to the 19th Indian Infantry Division...

    • 7th Bn. 13th Frontier Force Rifles
      13th Frontier Force Rifles
      The 13th Frontier Force Rifles was part of the British Indian Army, and after 1947, Pakistan Army. It was formed in 1922 by amalgamation of five existing regiments and consisted of five regular battalions.-History:...

    • 14th Bn. 11th Sikh Regiment
      11th Sikh Regiment
      The 11th Sikh Regiment were an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. They could trace their origins to 1922, when after World War I the Indian government reformed the army moving from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments....

    • 15th Bn. 10th Baluch Regiment
      10th Baluch Regiment
      The 10th Baluch or Baluch Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. After the Partition of India, it was transferred to the Pakistan Army. In 1956, it was amalgamated with the 8th Punjab and Bahawalpur Regiments...


  • 55th Indian Infantry Brigade
    55th Indian Infantry Brigade
    The 55th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in April 1942, in India. and assigned to the 7th Indian Infantry Division. In July to September 1942, it was attached to the North Western Army. Afterwards the brigade was assigned to...

    • 14th Bn. 6th Rajputana Rifles
      6th Rajputana Rifles
      The 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...

    • 15th Bn. 5th Mahratta Light Infantry
      5th Mahratta Light Infantry
      The 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...

    • 16th Bn. 1st Punjab Regiment
      1st Punjab Regiment
      The 1st Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 14th, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....


  • 109th Indian Infantry Brigade
    109th Indian Infantry Brigade
    The 109th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in March 1942 in India, and assigned to the 26th Indian Infantry Division...

    • 9th Bn. 7th Rajput Regiment
      7th Rajput Regiment
      The 7th Rajput Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922, after the Indian government decided to reform the army moving away from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments...

    • 16th Bn. 8th Punjab Regiment
      8th Punjab Regiment
      The 8th 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 merged with the Baluch Regiment in 1956.-Madras Infantry:...

    • 6th Bn. 2nd Punjab Regiment
      2nd Punjab Regiment
      The 2nd Punjab Regiment was a British Indian Army regiment from 1922 to the partition of India in 1947.The regiment was formed by the amalgamation of other regiments:*1st Battalion, from the 67th Punjabis, formerly the 7th Regiment of Madras Native Infantry...


  • Divisional Units
    • 10 Field Regiment RIA
    • 16 Anti-tank Regiment RIA
    • 44 Light Anti-aircraft Regiment RA
    • 14 Light Anti-aircraft Regiment RIA

    • 56, 59, 484 Field Companies IE
    • 50, 306 Field Park Company IE

Assigned brigades

All theses brigades were assigned or attached to the division at some time during World War II
  • 23rd Indian Infantry Brigade
    23rd Indian Infantry Brigade
    The 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...

  • 36th Indian Infantry Brigade
    36th Indian Infantry Brigade
    The 36th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in June 1941, at Baleli in India and assigned to the 14th Indian Infantry Division. The brigade spent between March 1942 and April 1943, with the Eastern Army. It was then assigned to...

  • 37th Indian Infantry Brigade
    37th Indian Infantry Brigade
    The 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...

  • 47th Indian Infantry Brigade
  • 49th Indian Infantry Brigade
  • 123rd Indian Infantry Brigade
  • British 6th Infantry Brigade
  • 71st Indian Infantry Brigade
    71st Indian Infantry Brigade
    The 71st Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in March 1942, at Nowshera in India. The brigade was assigned to the 26th Indian Infantry Division on formation...

  • 4th Indian Infantry Brigade
    4th Indian Infantry Brigade
    The 4th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in September 1939, as the 7th Indian Infantry Brigade and renumbered 4th in June 1940,...


External links

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