6th Poona Divisional Area

For the original division, see 6th (Poona) Division.
6th Poona Divisional Area
Poona Division
Active October 1914 – June 1920
Country  British India
Allegiance British Crown
Branch  British Indian Army
Type Infantry
Size Division
Part of Southern Army
Southern Command
Garrison/HQ Poona
Service First World War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Maj.-Gen. G.F. Gorringe
Brig.-Gen. F.J. Fowler

The 6th Poona Divisional Area was an infantry division of the British Indian Army that formed part of the Indian Army during the First World War. It was formed in October 1914 to replace the original 6th (Poona) Division that had been mobilized in September 1914 for service in Mesopotamia. It was renamed as Poona Division in June 1917 and remained in India throughout the war. The division was redesignated as Poona District in 1920.

History

At the outbreak of the First World War, the 6th (Poona) Division was mobilized in September 1914 and sailed from Bombay on 16 October for Mesopotamia.[1] The 6th Poona Divisional Area was formed in October 1914 to take over the area responsibilities of the 6th (Poona) Division. It took over the units left behind by the original division and initially only commanded Bombay Brigade, joined by the reformed Poona Brigade in December. However, the Ahmednagar Brigade was not formed until May 1918, followed by the 58th and 59th Indian Brigades in June. Bombay Brigade became independent in the same month.[2]

The division served in India throughout the war, initially under Southern Army, then Southern Command from January 1918. From early 1918, the division was responsible for a significant part of the expansion of the British Indian Army.[2]

In 1918, the division was responsible for posts and stations at Ahmednagar, Anandi, Arangaon, Belgaum, Dhond, Kirkee, Kholapur, Manmad, Poona and Satara. Bombay Brigade was responsible for Ahmedabad, Baroda, Bombay, Colaba, Dadar, Deolali, Nasik, Rajkot and Santa Cruz. It was renamed Poona Division in June 1917[3] and was redesignated as Poona District in June 1920.[4]

Order of battle

The division commanded the following brigades in the First World War:[3]

Commanders

The 6th Poona Divisional Area / Poona Division had the following commanders:[4][3]

From Rank Name Notes
October 1914 Major-General G.F. Gorringe
16 March 1915 Brigadier-General H.T. Brooking
29 July 1915 Brigadier-General M. Cowper
22 November 1915 Major-General R. Wapshare
2 December 1916 Brigadier-General F.J. Fowler
22 July 1917 Lieutenant-General Sir M.J. Tighe Redesignated as Poona District in June 1920

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 6th (Poona) Division mobilized with 16th (Poona), 17th (Ahmednagar) and 18th (Belgaum) Brigades.[5] They are not to be confused with the Poona and Ahmednagar Brigades reformed in the 6th Poona Divisional Area. Belgaum Brigade was not reformed.[3]

References

Bibliography

External links

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