| 29th Infantry Brigade | |
|---|---|
29th Infantry Brigade insignia. |
|
| Active | 1914–? |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Engagements | First World War |
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.
Contents |
The 29th Infantry Brigade was formed in August 1914 as part of the 10th (Irish) Division of the first wave of Kitchener's Army (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 The 10th (Irish) Division was withdrawn from Gallipoli to Salonika at the end of September 1915, elements of the division participating in actions at Karajakois, Yenikoi and Kosturino. In early September 1917 the Division was withdrawn to Egypt and took part in the Palestine Campaign and fought in the third Battle of Gaza.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.
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 Brigade. 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.[1]
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:[2]
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 Fusiliers, 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.
1914–1918
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
World War II
Korean War