British 36th Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
The 36th Indian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the British Indian Army during the Second World War. The division was subsequently converted to a British Army
formation and redesignated the 36th Infantry Division. It served in India and during the Burma Campaign
. After the end of the war it was disbanded and its remaining units were transferred to the 2nd Infantry Division.
, and the 72 Infantry Brigade, which was formed on 28 April 1944 by redesignation of 72nd Indian Infantry Brigade
which was composed entirely of British combat units. Most of the division's engineer, medical and service units were Indian. The division's formation sign was two interlinked rings, one white and one red, on a black square background.
In January 1943, Brigadier Francis Festing
was promoted from command of the 29th Brigade to that of the division. (His replacement as commander of 29th Brigade was Brigadier Hugh Stockwell
.) Parts of the division were present in the First Arakan campaign
in early 1943. It was intended that part of the division was to launch an amphibious assault on Akyab Island
, but this operation was cancelled.
The division was initially in reserve for the Second Arakan campaign in early 1944, but was called on to relieve the besieged Indian 7th Division after early setbacks. After the Japanese were defeated at the Battle of Ngakyedauk, 7th Division was withdrawn and 36th Division took over the offensive in the Kalapanzin River Valley. Units of the division captured the vital eastern railway tunnel linking the Kalapanzin valley with the port of Maungdaw
, but at this point the Arakan offensive was called off to release troops and aircraft for the more important battles of Imphal
and Kohima
in Assam
.
The division withdrew for a brief rest at Shillong
in Assam, and was then despatched to Ledo
, where it came under command of the American-led Northern Combat Area Command
.
in North Burma, with 72nd Brigade being the first formation to land. On 1 September 1944, shortly after the division had started advancing down the "Railway valley" from Mogaung
towards Indaw
on the right flank of NCAC, the division was redesignated as the British 36th Division. The Indian 72nd Brigade also was redesignated as the British 72nd Brigade. On 14 December, a third brigade was added to the division; confusingly, this was the first Indian formation that the division controlled (the 26th Indian Infantry Brigade
, of mixed British and Indian troops).
Ihe division was distinguished for being the only British division to rely entirely on air supply, mainly by the United States' Tenth Air Force
, for an extended period. The United States Army Air Force also provided the division with 12 light aircraft equipped for casualty evacuation and a US Army engineer company to construct its airstrips. Initially, the division was without its own divisional artillery and instead relied on a Chinese artillery group under US command. The Indian 32 Mountain Regiment eventually joined the division after carrying its guns by mule for over 400 miles (643.7 km).
The division, having linked up with the main body of British Fourteenth Army
, crossed the Irrawaddy River and advanced independently down the eastern side of the river. Units from the division suffered losses forcing the crossing the 300 yard wide Shweli River
, but the division continued to advance until the fall of Mandalay
in March 1945. On 1 April 1945 the division transferred from NCAC to Fourteenth Army. The 26th Indian Brigade became the British 26th Brigade on 6 April.
As there were now more troops in Burma than could be supplied (and the transport aircraft allocated to NCAC were being withdrawn to China
), the division was returned to India, officially arriving on 12 May, and joined XXXIV Corps (India) on 28 May.
Its officially recognised battles were Mandalay 12/13 February - 21 March 1945 and Rangoon Road 1 April - 6 May 1945.
(15 May 1945 - 31 August 1945)
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...
formation and redesignated the 36th Infantry Division. It served in India and during the 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...
. After the end of the war it was disbanded and its remaining units were transferred to the 2nd Infantry Division.
36th Indian Division
The division was formed in India on 15 December 1942. Its constituent formations were the 29th Independent Infantry Brigade Group (under command from 26 January 1943), which had already fought as an independent brigade group in the Battle of MadagascarBattle 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:...
, and the 72 Infantry Brigade, which was formed on 28 April 1944 by redesignation of 72nd Indian Infantry Brigade
72nd Indian Infantry Brigade
The 72 Independent Infantry Brigade was formed in the United Kingdom in January 1941. On 1 June 1943 it was re-designated British 72nd Infantry Brigade...
which was composed entirely of British combat units. Most of the division's engineer, medical and service units were Indian. The division's formation sign was two interlinked rings, one white and one red, on a black square background.
In January 1943, Brigadier Francis Festing
Francis Festing
Field Marshal Sir Francis Wogan Festing GCB, KBE, DSO , called 菲士挺 in Chinese, was a field marshal of the British Army...
was promoted from command of the 29th Brigade to that of the division. (His replacement as commander of 29th Brigade was Brigadier Hugh Stockwell
Hugh Stockwell
General 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...
.) Parts of the division were present in the First Arakan campaign
Arakan Campaign 1942–1943
The Arakan Campaign of 1942–1943 was the first tentative Allied attack into Burma, following the Japanese conquest of Burma earlier in 1942...
in early 1943. It was intended that part of the division was to launch an amphibious assault on Akyab Island
Sittwe
-Economy:In February 2007, India announced a plan to develop the port, which would enable ocean access from Indian Northeastern states, so called "Seven sisters", like Mizoram, via the Kaladan River....
, but this operation was cancelled.
The division was initially in reserve for the Second Arakan campaign in early 1944, but was called on to relieve the besieged Indian 7th Division after early setbacks. After the Japanese were defeated at the Battle of Ngakyedauk, 7th Division was withdrawn and 36th Division took over the offensive in the Kalapanzin River Valley. Units of the division captured the vital eastern railway tunnel linking the Kalapanzin valley with the port of Maungdaw
Maungdaw
Maungdaw is a town in the Rakhine State of westernmost part of Myanmar. It it the administrative seat of Maungdaw Township and Maungdaw District.Since September 1995, border trade between Maungdaw of Myanmar and Teknaf of Bangladesh is formally established....
, but at this point the Arakan offensive was called off to release troops and aircraft for the more important battles of Imphal
Battle 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...
and Kohima
Battle of Kohima
The Battle of Kohima was the turning point of the Japanese U Go offensive into India in 1944 in the Second World War. The battle was fought from 4 April to 22 June 1944 around the town of Kohima in northeast India. It is often referred to as the "Stalingrad of the East".The battle took place in...
in 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...
.
The division withdrew for a brief rest at Shillong
Shillong
-Connectivity:Although well connected by road, Shillong has no rail connection and a proper air connection. Umroi Airport exists but has only limited flights.-Roadways:Shillong is well connected by roads with all major north eastern states...
in Assam, and was then despatched to Ledo
Ledo
Ledo may refer to:* Ledo, Assam, India* Ledo, Goa, India* Ledo Road* Ledo Degtinė* Ledo , a Croatian ice cream producer...
, where it came under command of the American-led Northern Combat Area Command
Northern Combat Area Command
The Northern Combat Area Command or NCAC was a mainly Sino-American formation that held the northern end of the Allied front in Burma during World War II. For much of its existence it was commanded by the acerbic General Joseph "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell, and controlled by his staff...
.
36th Infantry Division
Early in July 1944, the division started to fly in to Myitkyina airfieldNampong Air Force Base
Nampong Air Force Base is a Myanmar Air Force base in Myitkyina, Myanmar .Formerly known as Myikyina West, it is located several miles to the west of Myitkyina...
in North Burma, with 72nd Brigade being the first formation to land. On 1 September 1944, shortly after the division had started advancing down the "Railway valley" from Mogaung
Mogaung
Mogaung is a town in Kachin State, Myanmar. It is situated on the Mandalay-Myitkyina railway line.-External links:* Falling Rain Genomics, Inc.* Maplandia.com...
towards Indaw
Indaw
Indaw is a town in northern Burma, in Sagaing Division, Katha District, Indaw Township. It is located about 2 km southeast of Indaw Lake. The rail junction at Naba is located about 6 km to the northeast of the town.-History:...
on the right flank of NCAC, the division was redesignated as the British 36th Division. The Indian 72nd Brigade also was redesignated as the British 72nd Brigade. On 14 December, a third brigade was added to the division; confusingly, this was the first Indian formation that the division controlled (the 26th Indian Infantry Brigade
26th Indian Infantry Brigade
The 26th Indian Infantry Brigade was an Infantry formation of the Indian Army during World War II. It was formed in March 1941, at Secunderabad in India and assigned to the 6th Indian Infantry Division. The brigade was part of the Line of Communication troops in both Iran and Iraq, until August...
, of mixed British and Indian troops).
Ihe division was distinguished for being the only British division to rely entirely on air supply, mainly by the United States' Tenth Air Force
Tenth Air Force
The Tenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve Command . It is headquartered at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas....
, for an extended period. The United States Army Air Force also provided the division with 12 light aircraft equipped for casualty evacuation and a US Army engineer company to construct its airstrips. Initially, the division was without its own divisional artillery and instead relied on a Chinese artillery group under US command. The Indian 32 Mountain Regiment eventually joined the division after carrying its guns by mule for over 400 miles (643.7 km).
The division, having linked up with the main body of British Fourteenth Army
British Fourteenth Army
The British Fourteenth Army was a multinational force comprising units from Commonwealth countries during World War II. Many of its units were from the Indian Army as well as British units and there were also significant contributions from West and East African divisions within the British Army.It...
, crossed the Irrawaddy River and advanced independently down the eastern side of the river. Units from the division suffered losses forcing the crossing the 300 yard wide Shweli River
Shweli River
Shweli River is a river in Myanmar . Also known as Nam Mao in Shan and Lung Chuan Chiang in Chinese, it forms part of the boundary between Burma and China. It is one of the tributaries of the country's chief river, the Ayeyarwady, and arises in Yunnan Province of China...
, but the division continued to advance until the fall of Mandalay
Mandalay
Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million, and is the capital of Mandalay Region ....
in March 1945. On 1 April 1945 the division transferred from NCAC to Fourteenth Army. The 26th Indian Brigade became the British 26th Brigade on 6 April.
As there were now more troops in Burma than could be supplied (and the transport aircraft allocated to NCAC were being withdrawn to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
), the division was returned to India, officially arriving on 12 May, and joined XXXIV Corps (India) on 28 May.
Its officially recognised battles were Mandalay 12/13 February - 21 March 1945 and Rangoon Road 1 April - 6 May 1945.
29th Infantry Brigade
(18 July 1940 - 25 May 1945)- 1st battalion Royal Scots FusiliersRoyal Scots Fusiliers-The Earl of Mar's Regiment of Foot :The regiment was raised in Scotland in 1678 by Stuart loyalist Charles Erskine, de jure 5th Earl of Mar for service against the rebel covenanting forces during the Second Whig Revolt . They were used to keep the peace and put down brigands, mercenaries, and...
- 1st battalion Royal Welch FusiliersRoyal Welch FusiliersThe Royal Welch Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division. It was founded in 1689 to oppose James II and the imminent war with France...
- 2nd battalion East Lancashire RegimentEast Lancashire RegimentThe East Lancashire Regiment was, from 1881 to 1958, an infantry regiment of the British Army. The regiment was formed under the Childers Reforms by the amalgamation of two 30th and 59th Regiments of Foot with the militia and rifle volunteer units of eastern Lancashire...
- 2nd battalion South Lancashire Regiment(until 16 Mar 1944)
(15 May 1945 - 31 August 1945)
- 1st battalion Cameronians
- 1st battalion Essex RegimentEssex RegimentThe Essex Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army that saw active service from 1881 to 1958. Members of the regiment were recruited from across Essex county. Its lineage is continued by the Royal Anglian Regiment.-Origins:...
- 2nd battalion Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)The Queen's Royal Regiment was a regiment of the English and later British Army from 1661 to 1959. It was the senior English line infantry regiment of the British Army, behind only the Royal Scots in the British Army line infantry order of precedence...
72nd Infantry Brigade
- 6th battalion The South Wales BorderersThe South Wales BorderersThe South Wales Borderers was an infantry regiment of the British Army. It first came into existence, as the 24th Regiment of Foot, in 1689, but was not called the South Wales Borderers until 1881. The regiment served in a great many conflicts, including the American Revolutionary War, various...
- 9th battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment
- 10th battalion The Gloucestershire RegimentThe Gloucestershire RegimentThe Gloucestershire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army. Nicknamed "The Glorious Glosters", the regiment carried more battle honours on their regimental colours than any other British Army line regiment.-Origins and early history:...
Indian 26th Infantry Brigade (attached December 1944)
- 2nd battalion The Buffs
- 1st battalion 19th Hyderabad Regiment19th Hyderabad RegimentThe 19th Hyderabad Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed following the post World War I reforms of the Indian Army when they moved from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments...
- 2nd battalion 8th Punjab Regiment8th Punjab RegimentThe 8th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947 and merged with the Baluch Regiment in 1956.-Madras Infantry:...
- 1st battalion 1st Gurkha RiflesGurkha RiflesGurkha Rifles may refer to any of a number of regiments of Gurkhas:* 1st King George V's Own Gurkha Rifles * 2nd King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles * 3rd Queen Alexandra's Own Gurkha Rifles...
26th Infantry Brigade (converted from Indian 26th Infantry brigade 6 April 1945)
- 2nd battalion The Buffs
- 1st battalion The Devonshire RegimentThe Devonshire RegimentThe Devonshire Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army which served under various titles from 1685 to 1958. Its lineage is continued today by The Rifles.-Origin and titles:...
- 1st battalion The Northamptonshire Regiment
Divisional Infantry
- D Company 2nd battalion Manchester Regiment (Machine Guns)
- 88th Indian Infantry Company (8th Gurkha Rifles) (Divisional HQ Company)
- 2nd battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Defence Battalion) (20 May 1945 - 31 August 1945)
- 1st battalion 7th Rajput Regiment7th Rajput RegimentThe 7th Rajput Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army. It was formed in 1922, after the Indian government decided to reform the army moving away from single battalion regiments to multi battalion regiments...
(Machine Guns) (22 June 1945 - 31 August 1945) - 2nd battalion 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....
(Reconnaissance) (10 April 1945 - 31 August 1945)
Artillery
- 130th (Lowland) Field Regiment, Royal ArtilleryRoyal 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:...
(RA) (315, 316 & 494 Batteries) (1 Sep 1944 - 13 June 1945) - 178th Field Regiment, RA (122, 366 & 516 Batteries) (1 Sep 1944 - 5 July 1945)
- 145th (Royal Buckinghamshire YeomanryRoyal Buckinghamshire YeomanryThe Royal Buckinghamshire Yeomanry was formed in 1794, when King George III was on the throne and William Pitt the Younger was the Prime Minister, of Great Britain. Across the English Channel, Britain was faced by a French nation which had recently guillotined its King and which possessed a...
and Berkshire YeomanryBerkshire Yeomanry94 Signal Squadron forms part of 39 Signal Regiment. They are currently based in three locations in the Home Counties...
) Field Regiment, RA (22 June 1945 - 13 July 1945) - 158th Field Regiment, RA (8 July 1945 - 31 August 1945)
- 8th Field Regiment, RA (20 July 1945 - 31 August 1945)
- 32nd Mountain Regiment (12, 17 & 28 Batteries), Royal Indian ArtilleryRoyal Indian ArtilleryThe Royal Regiment of Indian Artillery, generally known as the Royal Indian Artillery , was an administrative corps of the British Indian Army...
(6 February 1945 - 31 August 1945) - 12 and 28 Indian Mountain Batteries (3 December 1944 - 5 February 1945)
- 122nd Light Anti Aircraft/Anti-Tank Regiment RA (1 September 1944 - 14 September 1944)
- 122nd Anti-Tank Regiment, RA (168, 321 & 402 Batteries) (15 September 1944 - 20 August 1945)