Indian 17th Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
The 17th Infantry Division is a formation of the Indian Army
. During World War II, it had the distinction of being continually in combat during the three-year long Burma Campaign
(except for brief periods of refit).
. It consisted then of the 44th
, 45th
and 46th Indian Infantry Brigade
s, and was intended to garrison Iraq
. At the end of the year, war with Imperial Japan broke out and the division was split; 44th and 45th Brigades were despatched to Malaya
where 45th Brigade fought in the Battle of Muar
before both brigades were lost in the Battle of Singapore
; 46th Brigade and the division HQ went to Burma, where the Division was reinforced by 16th Indian Infantry Brigade and took 2nd Burma Infantry Brigade
under command.
, where it was joined by 48th Indian Infantry Brigade
.
The Bilin was not a proper defensive position, and the division tried to retreat over the Sittang River
. Air attacks, poor organization and vehicle breakdowns delayed the division, and Japanese parties infiltrated around them to threaten the vital bridge over the Sittang. The division's commander, Major General "Jackie" Smyth VC
, was forced to order the bridge to be destroyed, with most of the division cut off on the far side of the river. Only a few thousand men without equipment succeeded in crossing the river. Smyth was dismissed and replaced by Major General Cowan.
The division was reinforced with 63rd Indian Infantry Brigade
, and narrowly escaped being trapped in Rangoon. After trying to hold a front in the Irrawaddy River valley, it subsequently retreated north into Assam
just before the monsoon broke, fighting off a Japanese attempt to trap it at Kalewa
.
, 17th Division first successfully fought its way out of encirclement at Tiddim, and then disputed the vital Bishenpur sector south of Imphal (with 32nd Indian Infantry Brigade
temporarily under command). In July, the Japanese were broken by heavy casualties and starvation, and retreated. Some units of 17th Division had suffered nearly 100% casualties.
During the late monsoon season, the division was temporarily withdrawn to India and reorganised once again. 48th and 63rd Brigades were fully equipped with vehicles to become Motorized infantry. 99th Indian Infantry Brigade
was added to the division, equipped to be transported by Douglas DC-3
aircraft.
under command, crossed the Irrawaddy River and advanced on the vital Japanese communications centre of Meiktila
. Joined by 99th Indian Infantry Brigade
which was flown into the captured airfield at Thabutkon, they captured Meiktila in only four days. Reinforced by 9th Indian Infantry Brigade
which was flown into the airfields around Meiktila, they subsequently withstood a Japanese siege. This Battle of Meiktila
largely destroyed the Japanese armies in Central Burma.
The division now broke the last Japanese defensive position at Pyawbwe
, and advanced south on Rangoon. At Pegu, it pushed Japanese rearguards aside, but was still short of its objective when the monsoon
broke. Rangoon fell to an assault from the sea, Operation Dracula
.
In the last months of the campaign, the division participated in the mopping up of Japanese stragglers in Burma. After the war ended, elements of it formed part of the Commonwealth Occupation force in Japan (under Cowan). The division was disbanded in India in 1946.
Under the command of Major General Candeth, the division participated in the Goa
military operations in 1961.
On November 15, 1963, the division relocated to Sikkim and took on the role of guarding a portion of the Tibet-India border.
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
. During World War II, it had the distinction of being continually in combat during the three-year long 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...
(except for brief periods of refit).
Second World War
It was first formed in 1941, in Ahmednagar in IndiaIndia
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...
. It consisted then of the 44th
44th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 44th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in June 1941, at Poona in India and assigned to the 17th Indian Infantry Division. It was transferred to Malaya Command in January 1942, and fought in the Battle of Malaya...
, 45th
45th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 45th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in June 1941, at Ahmednagar in India and assigned to the 17th Indian Infantry Division. It was transferred to Malaya Command in January 1942 where it was virtually destroyed in...
and 46th Indian Infantry Brigade
46th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 46th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in June 1941, at Ahmednagar in India and assigned to the 17th Indian Infantry Division...
s, and was intended to garrison 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....
. At the end of the year, war with Imperial Japan broke out and the division was split; 44th and 45th Brigades were despatched to Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
where 45th Brigade fought in the Battle of Muar
Battle of Muar
The Battle of Muar was the last major battle of the Malayan campaign. It took place from 14–22 January 1942 around Gemensah Bridge and on the Muar River...
before both brigades were lost in the Battle of Singapore
Battle of Singapore
The Battle of Singapore was fought in the South-East Asian theatre of the Second World War when the Empire of Japan invaded the Allied stronghold of Singapore. Singapore was the major British military base in Southeast Asia and nicknamed the "Gibraltar of the East"...
; 46th Brigade and the division HQ went to Burma, where the Division was reinforced by 16th Indian Infantry Brigade and took 2nd Burma Infantry Brigade
2nd Burma Infantry Brigade
The 2nd Burma Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Burma Army during World War II. It was formed in July 1941. The Brigade was then disbanded in June 1942, and reformed in October 1942, to command battalions of the newly formed Burma Regiment. It was disbanded once again in November 1943...
under command.
1942
The Japanese attacked Burma on January 22, 1942. It was soon apparent that the British and Indian troops in Burma were too few in number, wrongly equipped and inadequately trained for the terrain and conditions. After failing to hold the Kawkareik Pass and Moulmein, the division fell back to the Bilin RiverBilin River
Bilin River is a river of Mongolia and Tuva. It is a tributary of the Kyzyl-Khem....
, where it was joined by 48th Indian Infantry Brigade
48th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 48th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in October 1941, at Secunderabad in India and assigned to the 19th Indian Infantry Division....
.
The Bilin was not a proper defensive position, and the division tried to retreat over the Sittang River
Battle of Sittang Bridge
The Battle of Sittang Bridge was part of the Burma campaign in World War II. Fought between 19 February and 23 February 1942, the battle was a decisive victory for Japan, with heavy losses for the British Indian Army, which was forced to retreat in disarray...
. Air attacks, poor organization and vehicle breakdowns delayed the division, and Japanese parties infiltrated around them to threaten the vital bridge over the Sittang. The division's commander, Major General "Jackie" Smyth VC
John George Smyth
Brigadier Sir John George Smyth, 1st Baronet, VC MC PC was a British Indian Army officer and Conservative Member of Parliament. Although a recipient of the Victoria Cross, his army career ended in controversy....
, was forced to order the bridge to be destroyed, with most of the division cut off on the far side of the river. Only a few thousand men without equipment succeeded in crossing the river. Smyth was dismissed and replaced by Major General Cowan.
The division was reinforced with 63rd Indian Infantry Brigade
63rd Indian Infantry Brigade
The 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...
, and narrowly escaped being trapped in Rangoon. After trying to hold a front in the Irrawaddy River valley, it subsequently retreated north into Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
just before the monsoon broke, fighting off a Japanese attempt to trap it at Kalewa
Kalewa
Tahan is a town at the confluence of the Chindwin River and the Myittha River in Kale District, Sagaing Division of northwestern Burma...
.
1943
For the campaigning season of 1943, the division was reorganised as a "Light" formation, with two brigades only (48th and 63rd), supported by mountain artillery, and with mules and jeeps only for transport. It disputed the mountainous and jungle-covered region around Tiddim, with mixed success. The division was at the end of a long and precarious supply line, and the "light" establishment was found to be inadequate in some respects. Some heavier equipment and transport was restored.1944
In 1944, the Japanese launched a major invasion of India. During the long Battle of ImphalBattle of Imphal
The Battle of Imphal took place in the region around the city of Imphal, the capital of the state of Manipur in North-East India from March until July 1944. Japanese armies attempted to destroy the Allied forces at Imphal and invade India, but were driven back into Burma with heavy losses...
, 17th Division first successfully fought its way out of encirclement at Tiddim, and then disputed the vital Bishenpur sector south of Imphal (with 32nd Indian Infantry Brigade
32nd Indian Infantry Brigade
The 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...
temporarily under command). In July, the Japanese were broken by heavy casualties and starvation, and retreated. Some units of 17th Division had suffered nearly 100% casualties.
During the late monsoon season, the division was temporarily withdrawn to India and reorganised once again. 48th and 63rd Brigades were fully equipped with vehicles to become Motorized infantry. 99th Indian Infantry Brigade
99th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 99th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in April 1941, at Lucknow. The brigade was then assigned to the 34th Indian Infantry Division in October 1941, and formed part of the garrison for Ceylon...
was added to the division, equipped to be transported by Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
aircraft.
1945
In late February. 1945, the motor elements of the division, with the bulk of 255th Indian Tank Brigade255th Indian Tank Brigade
The 255th Indian Tank Brigade was an armoured brigade of the Indian Army during World War II. It was part of the Fourteenth Army and saw action in the Burma Campaign...
under command, crossed the Irrawaddy River and advanced on the vital Japanese communications centre of Meiktila
Meiktila
Meiktila is a city in central Myanmar, located on the banks of Lake Meiktila in Mandalay Division, at the junctions of the Bagan-Taunggyi, Yangon-Mandalay and Meiktila-Myingyan highways. Because of its strategic position, Meiktila is home to Myanmar Air Force's central command and Meiktila Air...
. Joined by 99th Indian Infantry Brigade
99th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 99th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in April 1941, at Lucknow. The brigade was then assigned to the 34th Indian Infantry Division in October 1941, and formed part of the garrison for Ceylon...
which was flown into the captured airfield at Thabutkon, they captured Meiktila in only four days. Reinforced by 9th Indian Infantry Brigade
9th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 9th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in India and converted to the 5th Indian Infantry Brigade and a new 9th Brigade was then formed all in September 1939. The brigade was assigned to the 5th Indian Infantry Division in June...
which was flown into the airfields around Meiktila, they subsequently withstood a Japanese siege. This Battle of Meiktila
Battle of Meiktila / Mandalay
The concurrent Battle of Meiktila and Battle of Mandalay were decisive battles near the end of the Burma Campaign. Collectively, they are sometimes referred to as the Battle of Central Burma. Despite logistical difficulties, the Allies were able to deploy large armoured and mechanised forces in...
largely destroyed the Japanese armies in Central Burma.
The division now broke the last Japanese defensive position at Pyawbwe
Pyawbwe
-Mandalay Region:*Pyawbwe Township*Pyawbwe, Meiktila Township*Pyawbwe, Myingyan Township*Pyawbwe, Pyawbwe Township*Pyawbwe, Wudwin Township*Pyawbwe, Myittha Township...
, and advanced south on Rangoon. At Pegu, it pushed Japanese rearguards aside, but was still short of its objective when 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...
broke. Rangoon fell to an assault from the sea, Operation Dracula
Operation Dracula
During World War II, Operation Dracula was the name given to an airborne and amphibious attack on Rangoon by British and Indian forces, part of the Burma Campaign. When it was launched, the Imperial Japanese Army had already abandoned the city.-Background:...
.
In the last months of the campaign, the division participated in the mopping up of Japanese stragglers in Burma. After the war ended, elements of it formed part of the Commonwealth Occupation force in Japan (under Cowan). The division was disbanded in India in 1946.
After independence
The division was re-raised at Ambala (India) on November 15, 1960. It was under the command of Major General K.S. Katoch, MC.Under the command of Major General Candeth, the division participated in the Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
military operations in 1961.
On November 15, 1963, the division relocated to Sikkim and took on the role of guarding a portion of the Tibet-India border.
Order of Battle, as of May 1, 1944
- General Officer Commanding - Major General David Tennent Cowan
- Commander, Royal Artillery - Brigadier the Baron de Robeck
-
- 17 Division HQ and Signals
- 48th Indian Infantry Brigade48th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 48th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in October 1941, at Secunderabad in India and assigned to the 19th Indian Infantry Division....
- (Brigadier Ronald Thomas Cameron)- 9th Bn. Border RegimentBorder RegimentThe Border Regiment was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 34th Regiment of Foot and the 55th Regiment of Foot....
- 2nd Bn. 5th Gurkha Rifles
- 1st Bn. 7th Gurkha Rifles
- 9th Bn. Border Regiment
- 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...
- (Brigadier Arthur Edward CummingArthur Edward CummingBrigadier Arthur Edward Cumming VC OBE MC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
)- 1st Bn. 3rd Gurkha Rifles
- 1st Bn. 4th Gurkha Rifles
- 1st Bn. 10th Gurkha Rifles
- Divisional Units
- 1st Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment (attached)
- 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 reconnaissance unit) - 7th Bn. 10th Baluch Regiment10th Baluch RegimentThe 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...
(Divisional defence / machine gun unit)
-
- 129 Field Regiment RARoyal ArtilleryThe 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:...
- 21 Mountain Regiment IARoyal Indian ArtilleryThe Royal Regiment of Indian Artillery, generally known as the Royal Indian Artillery , was an administrative corps of the British Indian Army...
- 29 Mountain Regiment IA
- 82 Light Anti-aircraft / Anti-tank Regiment RA
- 129 Field Regiment RA
-
- 60 Field Company IE
- 70 Field Company IE
- Tehri Garhwal Field Company
- 414 Field Park Company IE
Assigned brigades
All theses brigades were assigned or attached to the division at some time during World War II- 44th Indian Infantry Brigade44th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 44th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in June 1941, at Poona in India and assigned to the 17th Indian Infantry Division. It was transferred to Malaya Command in January 1942, and fought in the Battle of Malaya...
- 45th Indian Infantry Brigade45th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 45th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in June 1941, at Ahmednagar in India and assigned to the 17th Indian Infantry Division. It was transferred to Malaya Command in January 1942 where it was virtually destroyed in...
- 46th Indian Infantry Brigade46th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 46th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in June 1941, at Ahmednagar in India and assigned to the 17th Indian Infantry Division...
- 2nd Burma Infantry Brigade2nd Burma Infantry BrigadeThe 2nd Burma Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Burma Army during World War II. It was formed in July 1941. The Brigade was then disbanded in June 1942, and reformed in October 1942, to command battalions of the newly formed Burma Regiment. It was disbanded once again in November 1943...
- 16th Indian Infantry Brigade
- 48th Indian Infantry Brigade48th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 48th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in October 1941, at Secunderabad in India and assigned to the 19th Indian Infantry Division....
- 7th Armoured Brigade7th Armoured BrigadeThe 7th Armoured Brigade or 7th Armored Brigade may refer to any of a number of military units:*7th Armoured Brigade *7th Armoured Brigade *7th Armoured Brigade...
- 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...
- 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...
- 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...
- 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...
- 50th Indian Parachute Brigade
- 99th Indian Infantry Brigade99th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 99th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. The brigade was formed in April 1941, at Lucknow. The brigade was then assigned to the 34th Indian Infantry Division in October 1941, and formed part of the garrison for Ceylon...
- 255th Indian Tank Brigade255th Indian Tank BrigadeThe 255th Indian Tank Brigade was an armoured brigade of the Indian Army during World War II. It was part of the Fourteenth Army and saw action in the Burma Campaign...
- 9th Indian Infantry Brigade9th Indian Infantry BrigadeThe 9th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in India and converted to the 5th Indian Infantry Brigade and a new 9th Brigade was then formed all in September 1939. The brigade was assigned to the 5th Indian Infantry Division in June...
Further reading
- Jon Latimer, Burma: The Forgotten War, London: John Murray, 2004 ISBN 0-7195-6576-6