South African 1st Infantry Division

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The South African 1st Infantry Division was an infantry division of the South African Army during World War II.

1 History
2 Order of battle
3 Theatres of operation
4 Battles, actions and engagements
- 4.1 1941
- 4.2 1942

[edit] History

The division was formed on 13 August 1940 in South Africa with its HQ at the South African Military College. On 1 January 1943 it returned to South Africa as part of a plan to form two armoured divisions.

The divisional commanders during its existence were:

From 13 August 1940: Major General George Brink
From 10 March 1942: Major General Dan Pienaar

[edit] Order of battle

Many different units formed part of the division during its existence. As a representative example of the structure of the division, its order of battle during the Battle of El Alamein (fighting as part of the British 8th Army) can be given:

I South African Infantry Brigade:
- 1st Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles
- 1st Royal Natal Carabineers
- 1st Transvaal Scottish
II South African Infantry Brigade:
- 1st Cape Town Highlanders
- 1st Natal Mounted Rifles
- 1st/2nd Field Force Battalion
III South African Infantry Brigade:
- 1st Imperial Light Horse
- 1st Rand Light Infantry
- 1st Royal Durban Light Infantry
3rd South African Armoured Car Reconnaissance Regiment
One Machine Gun Battalion, consisting of:
- B Company, Die Middellandse Regiment
- Regiment President Steyn
Field Artillery Regiments:
- 1st Field Regiment, Cape Field Artillery, South African Artillery
- 4th Field Regiment, South African Artillery
- 7th Field Regiment, South African Artillery
1st Light Anti-aircraft Regiment, South African Artillery
1st Anti-tank Regiment, South African Artillery