Ambala Brigade

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.

For the original Ambala Brigade, see 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade.

Ambala Brigade
Active11 November 1914 – 1941
Country British India
AllegianceBritish Crown
Branch British Indian Army
TypeInfantry
SizeBrigade
Part of3rd Lahore Divisional Area
16th Indian Division
ServiceFirst World War
Second World 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]

FromToRankName
11 November 191415 October 1915Brigadier-GeneralH.A. Iggulden
15 October 19152 June 1918Brigadier-GeneralC.E. Hendley
3 June 1918March 1920Major-General
November 1920April 1921Brigadier-GeneralH.C. Wooldridge
April 1921October 1921Brigadier-GeneralC.H. Rowcroft
September 1922Brigadier-GeneralC.C. Newnham
December 1923Brigadier-GeneralH.J.P. Browne
December 1923December 1927Major-GeneralD. Deane
December 1927March 1929BrigadierE.C. Gepp
April 1929May 1931BrigadierW.E. Wilson-Johnston
May 1931May 1932BrigadierH.L. Scott
May 1932February 1934BrigadierF.G. Gillies
February 1934February 1938BrigadierE.G. Hall
February 19381941BrigadierC.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
  1. Perry 1993, p. 49
  2. Perry 1993, p. 16
  3. Perry 1993, p. 53
  4. Perry 1993, p. 58
  5. "No. 29023". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1914. p. 11207.
  6. Perry 1993, p. 55
  7. Perry 1993, p. 137
  8. "No. 33179". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 July 1926. p. 4404.
  9. Mackie 2015, p. 350
  10. Perry 1993, p. 56
  11. Perry 1993, p. 68
  12. Perry 1993, p. 138
  13. Perry 1993, p. 144
  14. Perry 1993, p. 148
  15. Gaylor 1996, p. 345
  16. Perry 1993, p. 139
  17. Nafziger n.d., p. 3
  18. Gaylor 1996, p. 183
  19. Gaylor 1996, p. 360

Bibliography
  • Gaylor, John (1996). Sons of John Company: The Indian and Pakistan Armies 1903–1991 (2nd ed.). Tunbridge Wells: Parapress. ISBN 1-898594-41-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Kempton, Chris (2003b). 'Loyalty & Honour', The Indian Army September 1939 – August 1947. Part II Brigades. Milton Keynes: The Military Press. ISBN 0-85420-238-2.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Mackie, Colin (June 2015). "Army Commands 1900-2011" (PDF). www.gulabin.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Nafziger, George (n.d.). "The Indian Army 3 September 1939" (PDF). Fort Leavenworth: Combined Arms Research Library, United States Army Combined Arms Center. Retrieved 9 July 2015.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Perry, F.W. (1993). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 5B. Indian Army Divisions. Newport: Ray Westlake Military Books. ISBN 1-871167-23-X.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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