British 29th Infantry Brigade
Encyclopedia
The 29th Infantry Brigade was an infantry
brigade
unit of the British Army
. It was originally raised in 1914 and saw service during the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War
.
(K1). The division and brigade transferred to Lemnos
in July 1915 in preparation for the Gallipoli
landings. The 29th Infantry Brigade landed at Anzac Cove
on August 6/7 of the same year, participating in the Battle of Chunuk Bair
. The 10th (Irish) Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli to Salonika at the end of September 1915, elements of the division participating in actions at Karajakois, Yenikoi and Kosturino. In early September 1917 the Division was withdrawn to Egypt
and took part in the Palestine Campaign and fought in the third Battle of Gaza
. The division moved back to Cairo
at the end of the war.
. On 14 July 1940 a new 29th Independent Infantry Brigade Group was formed in Great Britain
from regular army infantry battalions. It was successively under command of 12 Corps, West Sussex Division, 4 Corps and South Eastern Command before passing to War Office Control on 7 May 1941.
The brigade, under command of Brig Frank Festing, led the invasion of Madagascar
by Force 121 on 5 May 1942, it left Madagascar for two weeks in East Africa in late August 1942 and finally departed on 16 October 1942 for South Africa then after 2 months departed for India arriving 26 January 1943 and coming under command of Maj Gen Frank Festing's 36th Indian Infantry Division where it was trained in amphibious assault operations. It entered Burma on 12 February 1944.
It remained in 36 Division, redesignated British 36th Infantry Division on 1 September 1944, for the rest of the campaign, returning to India in June 1944 before flying into North Burma in August 1944 and advancing south to Mandalay. Throughout its time in 36 Division it was commanded by Brig Hugh Stockwell. It returned to India in May 1945.
Officially recognised battles:
, 1st Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment, later to win matchless fame, 1st Battalion, the Royal Ulster Rifles
, 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars
, C Squadron, 7th Royal Tank Regiment
, with specialised armour, 45 Field Regiment RA, 11 LAA Battery RA, and 170 Mortar Battery RA, plus supporting units.
In July 1951 it was re-organized as 29th British Infantry Brigade and absorbed into the 1st Commonwealth Division
.
1939
1940–1945
From May–Aug 1945
From Nov 1950 – July 1951
From July–Nov 1951
From Nov 51 – Nov 52
from Nov 52 – July 53
Korean War
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
unit of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. It was originally raised in 1914 and saw service during the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
First World War
The 29th Infantry Brigade was formed in August 1914 as part of the 10th (Irish) Division of the first wave of Kitchener's ArmyKitchener's Army
The New Army, often referred to as Kitchener's Army or, disparagingly, Kitchener's Mob, was an all-volunteer army formed in the United Kingdom following the outbreak of hostilities in the First World War...
(K1). The division and brigade transferred to Lemnos
Lemnos
Lemnos is an island of Greece in the northern part of the Aegean Sea. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within the Lemnos peripheral unit, which is part of the North Aegean Periphery. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Myrina...
in July 1915 in preparation for the Gallipoli
Gallipoli
The Gallipoli peninsula is located in Turkish Thrace , the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles straits to the east. Gallipoli derives its name from the Greek "Καλλίπολις" , meaning "Beautiful City"...
landings. The 29th Infantry Brigade landed at Anzac Cove
Anzac Cove
Anzac Cove is a small cove on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. It became famous as the site of World War I landing of the ANZAC on April 25, 1915. The cove is a mere long, bounded by the headlands of Ari Burnu to the north and Little Ari Burnu, known as Hell Spit, to the south...
on August 6/7 of the same year, participating in the Battle of Chunuk Bair
Battle of Chunuk Bair
The Battle of Chunuk Bair was a World War I battle fought between the Ottoman defenders and troops of New Zealand and Britain. Allied units that made the summit of Chunuk Bair early a.m...
. The 10th (Irish) Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli to Salonika at the end of September 1915, elements of the division participating in actions at Karajakois, Yenikoi and Kosturino. In early September 1917 the Division was withdrawn to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and took part in the Palestine Campaign and fought in the third Battle of Gaza
Third Battle of Gaza
The Third Battle of Gaza was fought in 1917 in southern Palestine during the First World War. The British Empire forces under the command of General Edmund Allenby successfully broke the Ottoman defensive Gaza-Beersheba line...
. The division moved back to Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
at the end of the war.
Second World War
In Second World War the unit, part of the regular army, was stationed in Egypt and designated the Cairo Brigade was renamed 29th Infantry Brigade on 20 September 1939, in October 1939 it was redesignated as 22nd Infantry Brigade22nd Guards Brigade
The British 22nd Guards Brigade was a British Army unit during the Second World War .-History:The 22nd Infantry Brigade was formed by the conversion of the 29th Infantry Brigade on 3 September 1939 and in March 1940 became responsible for all the troops in the Mersa Matruh Garrison area...
. On 14 July 1940 a new 29th Independent Infantry Brigade Group was formed in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
from regular army infantry battalions. It was successively under command of 12 Corps, West Sussex Division, 4 Corps and South Eastern Command before passing to War Office Control on 7 May 1941.
The brigade, under command of Brig Frank Festing, led the invasion of Madagascar
Battle of Madagascar
The Battle of Madagascar was the Allied campaign to capture Vichy-French-controlled Madagascar during World War II. It began on 5 May 1942. Fighting did not cease until 6 November.-Geo-political:...
by Force 121 on 5 May 1942, it left Madagascar for two weeks in East Africa in late August 1942 and finally departed on 16 October 1942 for South Africa then after 2 months departed for India arriving 26 January 1943 and coming under command of Maj Gen Frank Festing's 36th Indian Infantry Division where it was trained in amphibious assault operations. It entered Burma on 12 February 1944.
It remained in 36 Division, redesignated British 36th Infantry Division on 1 September 1944, for the rest of the campaign, returning to India in June 1944 before flying into North Burma in August 1944 and advancing south to Mandalay. Throughout its time in 36 Division it was commanded by Brig Hugh Stockwell. It returned to India in May 1945.
Officially recognised battles:
- North Arakan 1 January – 12 June 1944
- Mandalay 12/13 February – 21 March 1945
- Rangoon Road 1 April – 6 May 1945
Korean War
The 29th Brigade was back in existence by 1949, and then was re-mustered after the outbreak of the Korean War as 29th Independent Infantry Brigade to reinforce the Allied effort there. When it arrived in Korea in December 1950 it comprised the 1st Battalion, Royal Northumberland FusiliersRoyal Northumberland Fusiliers
The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the British Army. Originally raised in 1674, the regiment was amalgamated with three other fusilier regiments in 1968 to form the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.-Origins:...
, 1st Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment, later to win matchless fame, 1st Battalion, the Royal Ulster Rifles
Royal Ulster Rifles
The Royal Ulster Rifles was a British Army infantry regiment. It saw service in the Second Boer War, Great War, the Second World War and the Korean War, before being amalgamated into the Royal Irish Rangers in 1968.-History:...
, 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars
8th King's Royal Irish Hussars
The 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars was a cavalry regiment in the British Army, first raised in 1693. It saw service for three centuries, before being amalgamated into The Queen's Royal Irish Hussars in 1958....
, C Squadron, 7th Royal Tank Regiment
7th Royal Tank Regiment
The 7th Royal Tank Regiment was an armoured regiment of the British Army until 1959.-History:The 7th Royal Tank Regiment was part of the Royal Tank Regiment, itself part of the Royal Armoured Corps...
, with specialised armour, 45 Field Regiment RA, 11 LAA Battery RA, and 170 Mortar Battery RA, plus supporting units.
In July 1951 it was re-organized as 29th British Infantry Brigade and absorbed into the 1st Commonwealth Division
1st Commonwealth Division
The 1st Commonwealth Division was the name given, after July 1951, to Commonwealth land forces in the Korean War. The division was a multinational unit that was part of British Commonwealth Forces Korea, and whilst British and Canadian Army units formed the bulk of the division, Australian...
.
Component Units
1914–1918- 5th (Service) Bn, the Royal Irish RegimentRoyal Irish Regiment (1684-1922)The Royal Irish Regiment, until 1881 the 18th Regiment of Foot, was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, first raised in 1684. Also known as the 18th Regiment of Foot and the 18th Regiment of Foot, it was one of eight Irish regiments raised largely in Ireland, its home depot in...
(August 1914 to June 1915) - 6th (Service) Bn, the Royal Irish Rifles (August 1914 to May 1918)
- 5th (Service) Bn, the Connaught RangersThe Connaught RangersThe Connaught Rangers was an Irish regiment of the British Army, formed by the amalgamation in 1881 of the 88th Regiment of Foot and the 94th Regiment of Foot. It was disbanded in 1922.-History:...
(August 1914 to April 1918) - 6th (Service) Bn, the Prince of Wales' Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) (August 1914 to 2 May 1918)
- 10th (Service) Bn, the Royal Hampshire Regiment (June 1915 to November 1916)
- 1st Bn, the Leinster (November 1916 to end of war)
- 29th Machine Gun Company (May 1916 to May 1918)
- 29th Trench Mortar Battery (October 1916 to October 1917)
- 1/54th Sikhs (April 1918 to end of war)
- 1/101st Grenadiers101st Grenadiers-The beginning:The Regiment was first formed in 1778 after 6 grenadier companies were combined to form a composite battalion. The Regiment took part in the First Mahratta War against the Mahratta Empire and fought in a number of engagements against them, including the Battle of Talegoan where they...
(April 1918 to end of war) - 2/151st Infantry (June 1918 to end of war)
1939
- 1st Bn, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
- 2nd Bn, Scots GuardsScots GuardsThe Scots Guards is a regiment of the Guards Division of the British Army, whose origins lie in the personal bodyguard of King Charles I of England and Scotland...
1940–1945
- 1st Bn, The Royal Scots Fusiliers
- 2nd Bn, The East Lancashire Regiment
- 2nd Bn, The Royal Welch Fusiliers
- 2nd Bn, The South Lancashire Regiment (only till April 16, 1944)
- 29 Independent Brigade Group Anti-tank Company (1 September 1940 – 18 January 1941)
- 204 Anti-tank Battery, Royal Artillery (16 July 1940 – 5 May 1941)
- 17 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery (16 July 1940 – 5 May 1941)
- "E" Company 5 Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (Machine Guns) 16 August 1940 – 11 June 1941)
- 29 Independent Brigade Group Machine Gun Company Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (12 June 1941 – 31 October 1941)
- 29 Independent Brigade Group Reconnaissance Company (19 January 1941 – 5 May 1941)
- 29 Independent Brigade Group Machine Gun Company Northumberland Fusiliers (19 January 1941 – 5 May 1941)
- "B" SS Squadron Royal Armoured Corps (20 August 1942 – 1 June 1943)
- 455 Independent Light Battery, Royal Artillery (20 August 1942 – 1 June 1943)
- "D" Company 2 Manchester Regiment (Machine Guns) 17 October 1943 – 16 June 1944)
- 236 Field Company, Royal Engineers (16 July 1940 – 25 January 1943)
- 29 Independent Brigade Group Company, Royal Army Service Corps 1 August 1940 – 5 May 1941)
- 154 Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps (16 July 1940 – 25 January 1943)
- 29 Independent Brigade Group Workshop, Royal Army Ordnance Corps (27 April 1940 – 10 July 1941)
- 29 Independent Brigade Group Ordnance Field Park, Royal Army Ordnance Corps (29 April 1940 – 5 May 1941)
- 29 Independent Brigade Group Provost Section, Royal Military Police (18 July 1940 – 15 January 1943)
From May–Aug 1945
- 1st Bn, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)The Cameronians was an infantry regiment of the British Army, the only regiment of rifles amongst the Scottish regiments of infantry...
- 1st Bn, The Essex Regiment
- 2nd Bn, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
From Nov 1950 – July 1951
- As 29th Independent Infantry Brigade
From July–Nov 1951
- 1st Bn Royal Northumberland FusiliersRoyal Northumberland FusiliersThe Royal Northumberland Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the British Army. Originally raised in 1674, the regiment was amalgamated with three other fusilier regiments in 1968 to form the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.-Origins:...
- 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regiment
- 1st Bn Royal Ulster RiflesRoyal Ulster RiflesThe Royal Ulster Rifles was a British Army infantry regiment. It saw service in the Second Boer War, Great War, the Second World War and the Korean War, before being amalgamated into the Royal Irish Rangers in 1968.-History:...
From Nov 51 – Nov 52
- 1st Bn Royal Norfolk RegimentRoyal Norfolk RegimentThe Royal Norfolk Regiment, originally formed as the Norfolk Regiment, was an infantry regiment of the British Army. The Norfolk Regiment was created on 1 July 1881 as the county regiment of Norfolk...
- 1st Bn Royal Leicestershire RegimentRoyal Leicestershire RegimentThe Royal Leicestershire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, with a history going back to 1688. It saw service for three centuries, before being amalgamated into The Royal Anglian Regiment in 1964.-1688 - 1881:...
- 1st Bn The Welch Regiment
from Nov 52 – July 53
- 1st Bn The Black WatchThe Black WatchThe Black Watch is a 1929 American early epic adventure drama film directed by John Ford and written by James Kevin McGuinness based on the novel King of the Khyber Rifles by Talbot Mundy. The film starred Victor McLaglen...
- 1st Bn The King's Regiment (Liverpool)The King's Regiment (Liverpool)The King's Regiment was one of the oldest infantry regiments of the British Army, having been formed in 1685 and numbered as the 8th Regiment of Foot in 1751...
- 1st Bn The Duke of Wellington's RegimentThe Duke of Wellington's RegimentThe Duke of Wellington's Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army, forming part of the King's Division.In 1702 Colonel George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon, was authorised to raise a new regiment, which he did in and around the city of Gloucester. As was the custom in those days...
Commanders
World War II- Lt-Col E.G. Earle (acting commander)
- Brig. Sir G.W.H. LeeseOliver LeeseLieutenant-General Sir Oliver William Hargreaves Leese, 3rd Baronet, KCB, CBE, DSO was a British general during World War II.-Early years:...
, Bart - Brig. J.M.L. Grover
- Brig. F.W. FestingFrancis FestingField Marshal Sir Francis Wogan Festing GCB, KBE, DSO , called 菲士挺 in Chinese, was a field marshal of the British Army...
- Brig. H.C. StockwellHugh StockwellGeneral Sir Hugh Charles Stockwell GCB, KBE, DSO & Bar was a British soldier, most remembered for commanding the Anglo-French ground forces during the Suez Crisis and his service as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO from 1960 to 1964.-Early life:Stockwell was born in Jersey, but spent...
- Brig. G.E.R. Bastin
- Lt-Col. C.S. Mill
- Brig. J.J. McCully
Korean War
- Brig Thomas BrodieThomas Brodie-External links:*...
- Brig A.H.G. Ricketts
- Brig D.A. Kendrew