60th (2/2nd London) Division
60th (2/2nd London) Division | |
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Active | 31 August 1914 – 31 May 1919 |
Country |
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Branch |
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Type | Infantry |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Edward Bulfin |
The British 60th (2/2nd London) Division was the second of two second-line Territorial Force divisions formed from the surplus of London recruits in 1914. Originally the division merely supplied the first-line Territorial divisions with drafts to replace losses through casualties. It was not until late 1915 that the division began to be equipped for field operations and it was not sent overseas to France until mid-1916. As a "lesser" infantry division it was sent to the minor fronts of Salonika and finally Palestine. In mid-1918, most British battalions were replaced with Indian battalions and sent to France, the division effectively became a British Indian Army division.
Its engagements included the Third Battle of Gaza, the Battle of Beersheba (1917), the Battle of Jerusalem (1917), the Second Transjordan attack on Shunet Nimrin and Es Salt (1918), the Battle of Megiddo (1918), the Battle of Sharon (1918), and the Battle of Nahr el Faliq.
The divisional insignia was a bee.
Formation
- 179th (2/4th London) Brigade
- 2/13th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
- 2/14th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)
- 2/15th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)
- 2/16th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)
In June 1918 three battalions were replaced by the 2/19th Punjabis, 2/127th Baluchis and 3/151st Infantry.
- 180th (2/5th London) Brigade
- 2/17th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)
- 2/18th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (disbanded July 1918)
- 2/19th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
- 2/20th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)
In July 1918 three battalions were replaced by the 2nd Guides, 2/30th Punjabis and 1/50th Kumaon Rifles.
- 181st (2/6th London) Brigade
- 2/21st (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (disbanded in June 1918)
- 2/22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
- 2/23rd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)
- 2/24th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)
In June 1918 three battalions were replaced by the 2/97th Deccan Infantry, 130th Baluchis and 2/152nd Infantry.
Engagements
Macedonian Campaign 1917
Sinai and Palestine Campaign 1917
- Third Battle of Gaza
- Battle of Beersheba
- Battle of Jerusalem
1918
- Attack on Shunet Nimrin and Es Salt
- Battle of Megiddo
- Battle of Sharon
- Battle of Nahr el Faliq
See also
- List of British divisions in WWI