| 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1908 - August 1945 |
| Branch | Territorial Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Engagements | Operation Overlord Operation Market Garden Battle of the Bulge Operation Blackcock |
The 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division was a British Territorial Army division first formed in 1908. It was reformed in 1920 as part of the rebuilding of the Territorial Army, and raised a second line duplicate, 45th (Wessex) Infantry Division, on the doubling of the Territorial Army in 1939.
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The Division was a formation created with the rest of the Territorial Force in 1908. On 24 September 1914, it accepted overseas service in India in order to relieve regular units required for active service. Divisional and Brigade HQs, both artillery and infantry, did not embark for India. The "Division" sailed on 9 October 1914, and moved to India where it remained throughout the Great War, reverting to peacetime service conditions. It did, however, supply battalions and drafts of reinforcements for divisions fighting in the Middle East.
In the Second World War it fought in Normandy, where it initially was earmarked as a reserve for Operation Epsom. It then launched an attack against the German 9th SS Panzer Division at Hill 112 in July, though they were beaten back after both sides had suffered horrendous casualties. It performed well, and was considered one of the best British Divisions in the Second World War.
It was the first British formation to cross the Seine river, with an assault crossing at the French town of Vernon opposed by the German 49th Infantry Division (see 'Assault Crossing, The River Seine 1944' by Ken Ford). This enabled the armour of XXX Corps under Gen. Brian Horrocks to thrust across northern France into Belgium.
43rd Division later played a major role in Operation Market Garden , as the support to Guards Armoured Division. During Market Garden, a Battalion (4th Dorsets) successfully crossed the Rhine as a diversion, so that 1st Airborne could withdraw more safely, but many men of the 4th Dorsets were themselves left behind on the north Bank of the Rhine when the Division withdrew.
The division later played a small part in the Battle of the Bulge, where it was placed on the Meuse as a reserve, and a large part in the invasion of Germany and the Crossing of the Rhine (Operation Veritable).
By the end of hostilities the 43rd had reached the Cuxhaven peninsula of northern Germany.
