14th Indian Infantry Division

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Indian 14th Division
Active 1941 - 1945
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Indian Army
Type Infantry / Training
Nickname Quetta Division
Engagements Burma Campaign
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Major General Wilfrid Lewis Lloyd

The Indian 14th Infantry Division was raised during World War II.

[edit] History

The division was raised on June 1, 1941, at Quetta in Baluchistan. Its badge was a depiction in black and white of the ranges of mountains above Quetta, surrounded by a stylised letter "Q" in white on a black background.

The division had temporary commanders while forming. On October 15, 1941, Major General Wilfrid Lewis Lloyd, who had a distinguished record as commander of a brigade in the Western Desert, was appointed commander.

The division was first intended to operate in Iraq and Persia, then under Allied military occupation, and first trained for mountain and desert warfare. In December, war with Imperial Japan broke out. In the aftermath of the retreat from Burma, 14th Division, now retitled 14th Indian (Light) Division and lacking much heavy equipment and transport, was sent to garrison Chittagong.

In late 1942, the division began an advance down the Arakan peninsula, intending ultimately to recapture Akyab island, vital for its airfields. When well-constructed Japanese defences were encountered only a few miles from the end of the peninsula, extra brigades were added to the division. Eventually, the division HQ commanded no less than nine brigades, making effective administration and coordination impossible. Frontal attacks on the Japanese positions failed with heavy losses. Japanese reinforcements attacked the division's exposed left flank, overrunning several units and forcing the remainder to make a disorderly withdrawal.

On April 14, 1943, the division HQ was withdrawn to Ranchi in Bihar to reform, being replaced by the headquarters of Indian 26th Infantry Division. On June 14, 14th Division was converted to a Training Division, and remained in this role until disbanded on August 31, 1945 after the end of the war.

[edit] Order of Battle October 1 1942

  • Indian 88th Infantry Brigade
  • Divisional Units
    • 1st Bn. 17th Dogra Regiment (divisional reconnaissance unit)
    • MG Bn. 9th Jat Regiment (divisional machine-gun unit)
    • 130 Field Regiment RA
    • 44th Light AA Regiment RA
    • 23 Mountain Regiment IA
    • 14 Indian Infantry Division Signal Regiment
    • 26 Field Company IE
    • 73 Field Company IE

[edit] External links


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