Ambala Brigade

For the original Ambala Brigade, see 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade.
Ambala Brigade
Active 11 November 1914 – 1941
Country  British India
Allegiance British Crown
Branch  British Indian Army
Type Infantry
Size Brigade
Part of 3rd Lahore Divisional Area
16th Indian Division
Service First World War
Second World War

The Ambala Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Indian Army that formed part of the Indian Army during the First World War. It was formed in November 1914 to replace the original Ambala Brigade that had been mobilized as the 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade for service on the Western Front. It remained in India throughout the war.

The brigade continued to exist between the World Wars and by September 1939 it was designated Ambala Brigade Area. It was broken up in 1941.

History

At the outbreak of the First World War, the Ambala Cavalry Brigade was part of the 3rd (Lahore) Division. It was mobilized in August 1914 as the 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade, assigned to the newly formed 1st Indian Cavalry Division[1] and sailed from Bombay on 16 October for the Western Front.[2] Likewise, the 3rd (Lahore) Division was transferred to France in August 1914.[3] The 3rd Lahore Divisional Area was formed in September 1914 to take over the area responsibilities of the 3rd (Lahore) Division[4] and on 11 November 1914[lower-alpha 1] a new Ambala Brigade was formed in 3rd Lahore Divisional Area to replace the original brigade. The brigade served with the division in India until May 1917.[6]

From December 1916, the 16th Indian Division began forming as a reserve division for the North-West Frontier eventually taking over the responsibilities and brigades of the 3rd Lahore Divisional Area: 44th (Ferozepore) Brigade in February 1917 and the Ambala and 45th (Jullundur) Brigades in May.[6] It remained with the new division until June 1918 when it became an independent formation.[7]

The brigade continued to exist after the end of the war. By 1926 it had been redesignated as Ambala Brigade Area.[8] It was broken up in 1941.[9]

Orders of battle

Commanders

The Ambala Brigade had the following commanders:[6][7][9]

From To Rank Name
11 November 1914 15 October 1915 Brigadier-General H.A. Iggulden
15 October 1915 2 June 1918 Brigadier-General C.E. Hendley
3 June 1918 March 1920 Major-General
November 1920 April 1921 Brigadier-General H.C. Wooldridge
April 1921 October 1921 Brigadier-General C.H. Rowcroft
September 1922 Brigadier-General C.C. Newnham
December 1923 Brigadier-General H.J.P. Browne
December 1923 December 1927 Major-General D. Deane
December 1927 March 1929 Brigadier E.C. Gepp
April 1929 May 1931 Brigadier W.E. Wilson-Johnston
May 1931 May 1932 Brigadier H.L. Scott
May 1932 February 1934 Brigadier F.G. Gillies
February 1934 February 1938 Brigadier E.G. Hall
February 1938 1941 Brigadier C.A.L. Howard

See also

Notes

  1. The first commanding officer was appointed on 11 November 1914.[5]
  2. 3rd Battalion, 30th Punjabis was formed in June 1918 as the 1st Battalion, 132nd (Punjab Police) Regiment[15] from a police battalion that had been in existence since 1916. It was renumbered in June 1918.[16]
  3. 4th Battalion, 30th Punjabis was formed in June 1918 as the 2nd Battalion, 132nd (Punjab Police) Regiment[15] from a police battalion that had been in existence since 1916. It was renumbered in July 1918.[16]
  4. 1st Battalion, 140th Patiala Infantry was formed from Patiala State Forces in July 1918.[16]
  5. 10th Battalion, 15th Punjab Regiment was the Training Battalion[18] / Regimental Centre[19] of the 15th Punjab Regiment.

References

Bibliography

External links

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