The Indian 4th Infantry Division a.k.a the Red Eagle Division , of the British Indian Army, is an infantry division that draws its roots to before Indian independence having been formed in Egypt in 1939 under the command of Major General (later Lieut. Gen. Sir) Noel Beresford-Peirse, K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O (the first Indian formation to go overseas during WWII). A group of native Indian muslim soldiers posing for volley firing orders. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, or other means. ... Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to twenty thousand soldiers. ... Noel Monson de la Poer Beresford-Pierce, KBE CB DSO (Born 22nd December 1887 - Died 14th January 1953 ) was a British Army officer. ...

As with all formations in the Indian Army prior to independence, it primarily had British officers and Indians in other ranks. However, it did include Indian officers with ranks as high as Captain or Major. During World War II, it took part in campaigns in East Africa (Eritrea and Sudan), Syria, North Africa and Italy. The Indian Army is the largest branch of the Armed Forces of India and has the primary responsibility of conducting land-based military operations. ... In military organizations, a commissioned officer is a member of the service who derives authority directly from a sovereign power, and as such holds a commission from that power. ... Captain is a nautical term, an organizational title, and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...  Eastern Africa (UN subregion)  East African Community  Central African Federation (defunct)  geographic, including above East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easternmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. ...  Northern Africa (UN subregion)  geographic, including above North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, generally divided by the formidable barrier of the Sahara from Sub-Saharan Africa. ...

World War II history

North Africa

During WWII, the Division was in the vanguard during nine campaigns in the Mediterranean theatre. In the first of Wavell's operations in Egypt, as part of the Western Desert Force, it took part in Operation Compass , and was involved in the decisive battle at Sidi Barrani in December 1940. Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell, GCB, GCSI, GCIE, CMG, MC, PC (May 5, 1883 – May 24, 1950) was a British field marshal and the commander of British Army forces in the Middle East during World War II. He led British forces to victory over the Italians, only... The Western Desert Force, during World War II, was a British Commonwealth Army unit stationed in Egypt. ... Combatants Western Desert Force Italian Tenth Army Commanders Richard OConnor Rodolfo Graziani Pietro Maletti † Strength 50,000 soldiers 120 guns 275 tanks 100,000 soldiers 1,600 guns 600 light tanks Casualties 494 dead 1,225 wounded 3,000 dead 115,000 captured 400 tanks 1,292 guns Operation...

East Africa

In December 1940 the division was rushed to the British Sudan to join with the Indian 5th Infantry Division), to prevent the numerically vastly superior Italian forces (10 Divisions in total) from threatening Red Sea supply routes to Egypt as well as Egypt and the Suez Canal itself from the South. The East African campaign culminated (March 1941) with the battles at Keren in Eritrea where 33 Italian battalions (subsequently reinforced by a further 9) were defeated by 19 British and Indian battalions. It was at Keren that Subadar Richhpal Ram of the 1/6th Rajputana Rifles, part of 4th Division's 11 Infantry Brigade, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. In April 1941 Beresford-Peirse was promoted to command XIII Corps and Major General (later General Sir) Frank Messervy assumed command. Indian 5th Infantry Division fought in several theatres of World War II and more than earned its nickname the Ball of Fire. Lord Louis Mountbatten said: When the Division came under my command in South-East Asia towards the end of 1943, it had already had three years hard fighting... Ships moored at El Ballah during transit Egypt: Site of Suez Canal (top). ... The East African Campaign refers to the battles fought between British Empire and Commonwealth forces and Italian Empire forces in Italian East Africa during World War II. This campaign is often seen as part of the North African Campaign. ... Richhpal Ram was an Indian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ... The Rajputana Rifles are the senior most rifle regiment of the Indian Army. ... Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ... The Western Desert Force, during World War II, was a British Commonwealth Army unit stationed in Egypt. ... General Sir Frank Messervy General Sir Frank Walter Messervy, KCSI, KBE, CB, DSO, (1893 - 1974) was a British officer in both the First and Second World Wars and was the first Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Royal Army (15 August 1947 – 10 February 1948 or Aug 1948?). He became...

North Africa and Syria

Having returned to Egypt, part of the Division (its 5th Indian Infantry Brigade) was hurried across to Syria and was heavily involved in the advance on Damascus (June 1941). The rest of the Division was heavily involved in the fighting which ebbed and flowed past Tobruk from June 1941 onwards, having been rejoined by 5 Brigade, returning from Syria, in the autumn of 1941. For most of this period the Division was dispersed with units temporarily attached to other formations much to the disgust of Major General Francis Tuker who assumed command of the Division in December 1941. Notable at this time was the break-out at the end of January by 7 Brigade, having been cut off at Benghazi during the Germans' counter-offensive from Agheila and moving 200 miles avoiding the enemy to rejoin the 8th Army. The Syria-Lebanon campaign was the Allied invasion of Vichy French-controlled Syria and Lebanon in 1941, during World War II. The Allied offensive, also known as Operation Exporter, was aimed at preventing Nazi Germany from using Vichy territory as a springboard for attacks on the Allied stronghold of Egypt... Tobruk or Tubruq (Arabic: طبرق; also transliterated as Tóbruch, Tobruch, Ţubruq, Tobruck ) is a town, seaport, municipality, and peninsula in eastern Libya in Northern Africa. ... Sir Francis Ivan Simms Tuker, KCIE CB DSO OBE was a British Indian Army officer. ...

Early in April 1942 the Division was dispersed with 7 Brigade going to Cyprus, 5 Brigade to Syria, 11 Brigade to the Suez Canal Zone for training and the Central India Horse to Iraq after a period of training. By May 1942 11 Brigade was back in the fighting at Tobruk (attached to Indian 5th Infantry Division). 11th Brigade was caught in the siege of Tobruk which fell on 21st June, and so disappeared from the order of battle for the next 18 months. 5th Brigade was rushed to the desert in June 1942 - after escaping from Mersa Matruh, the brigade held the vital Ruweisat Ridge at Alamein in the fighting of July-August 1942. Shortly before the second battle of Alamein in October 1942 the 4th Indian Division was back together again with the 7th Brigade returning from Cyprus and 161st Brigade attached (until December 1942) to fill the gap of the over-run 11th Brigade. The Division had a relatively subsidiary role in the battle, holding in stiff fighting, as a diversionary tactic, the Ruweisat Ridge which was at the centre of the Allied front whilst the breakthrough was planned further North. Indian 5th Infantry Division fought in several theatres of World War II and more than earned its nickname the Ball of Fire. Lord Louis Mountbatten said: When the Division came under my command in South-East Asia towards the end of 1943, it had already had three years hard fighting... For the Battle of Alam Halfa, which is also often termed the Second Battle of El Alamein, see Battle of Alam Halfa Combatants British Eighth Army Panzer Army Africa Commanders Bernard Montgomery Erwin Rommel Strength 220,000 men 1,100 tanks[1] 116,000 men[1] 559 tanks(220 panzers...

By December 1942 the Division was once again dispersed but strong representations by its GOC, Francis Tuker, (including his asking to be relieved of command) resulted in the Division being brought together as a fighting entity in March 1943 and it fought with distinction through to the fall of Tunis in May 1943 gaining a particular reputation for its prowess in mountainous country. The Division had the honour of capturing General von Arnim in Tunisia, bringing an end to the North African campaign. Its major battles in North Africa were Benghazi, Tobruk, Wadi Akarit, Enfidaville and Tunis. Sir Francis Ivan Simms Tuker, KCIE CB DSO OBE was a British Indian Army officer. ... Hans-Jürgen von Arnim (4 April 1889 - 11 September 1962), was a German colonel-general of cavalry, serving during World War II. He was born in Ernsdorf, Germany in 1889, the son of General Sixt von Arnim. ...

Italy

The division then moved in January 1944 to Italy (joined by the newly re-constituted 11 Brigade), where it took part in the Italian Campaign and notably the battles for Monte Cassino (where in Tuker's absence through illness it was commanded by Brigadier H K Dimoline, the divisional Commander of Royal Artillery) Central Italy and the Gothic Line before being sent to Greece to help stabilise the country after the Axis withdrawal. After Cassino the division was for a brief period in March 1944 under the command of Major-General Alexander Galloway, commander of British 1st Armoured Division, until command was assumed by Major-General Arthur Holworthy late in the month. Holworthy was succeeded by Major-General Charles Boucher in January 1945 who commanded the division until the end of hostilities. Artillery being landed during the invasion of mainland Italy at Salerno, September 1943. ... Combatants United Kingdom United States Poland New Zealand Canada Free France India and others Germany Commanders Harold Alexander Mark Clark Oliver Leese Albert Kesselring Heinrich von Vietinghoff Frido von Senger Strength 105,000 80,000 Casualties 54,000 20,000 The Battle of Monte Cassino (also known as the Battle... German defensive positions in Northern Italy 1944 370th Infantry Regiment walking toward the mountains at north of Prato - april 1945 The Gothic Line, also known as Linea Gotica, formed Field Marshal Albert Kesselrings last major line of defence in the final stages of World War II along the summits... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Conclusion

During World War II the Division captured 150,000 prisoners and suffered 25,000 casualties, more than the strength of a whole division. It won over 1,000 Honours and Awards which included 4 Victoria Crosses and 3 George Crosses.

Field Marshall Lord Wavell wrote: 'The fame of this Division will surely go down as one of the greatest fighting formations in military history, to be spoken of with such as The Tenth Legion, The Light Division of the Peninsular War and Napoleon's Old Guard'. Even beyond its fighting reputation it will be remembered for the spirit of mutual trust and fellowship maintained between all ranks coming from so many different races and creeds. Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell, GCB, GCSI, GCIE, CMG, MC, PC (May 5, 1883 – May 24, 1950) was a British field marshal and the commander of British Army forces in the Middle East during World War II. He led British forces to victory over the Italians, only...

Formation During World War II

According to the booklet issued to mark the inauguration of the Indian Divisions Memorial 1939-1945 at the UK RAMC Sandhurst in June 1982 the Formation of the Division during WW2 was as follows: ʘ For other uses, see Sandhurst (disambiguation). ...

Headquarters

• Central India Horse (up to April 1942 and from July 1944)(Divisional Reconnaissance Regiment)
• ROYAL ARTILLERY
  • HQ
  • 3, Royal Horse Artillery
  • 1, 4, 11, 25, 31 & 32 FD Regts RA
  • 57 Light A.A. Regt RA
  • 35 & 149 Anti-Tank Regts RA
• INDIAN ENGINEERS: SAPPERS AND MINERS
  • 4 FD Coy K.G.O Bengal
  • 12 FD Coy QVO Madras
  • 18 & 21 FD Coys Royal Bombay
  • 11 FD Park Coy QVO Madras
• 4 INDIAN DIV SIGNALS
• 1 MG BN ROYAL NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS
• MG BN 6TH RAJPUTANA RIFLES

The Central India Horse is a tank regiment of the Indian Army. ... RGA redirects here. ... The Rajputana Rifles are the senior most rifle regiment of the Indian Army. ...

5 INDIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE

• • HQ
  • 1 BN Royal Fusiliers (up to Sept 1941)
  • 1 BN The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) (from Sept 1941 to Dec 1941))
  • 1 BN The Welch Regiment (From Dec 1941 up to April 1942)
  • 1/4 BN The Essex Regiment (from April 1942)
  • 1 & 3 BNs 1st Punjab Regiment (1st BN up to April 1942)
  • 4 BN (Outram's) 6th Rajputana Rifles (with 11 Brigade in Italy)
  • 3 BN Queen Mary's Own 10th Baluch Regiment (from April 1942)
  • 1 BN 9th Gurkha Rifles

The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was a regiment in the British Army. ... The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) had a history dating back to 1572 and was one of the oldest regiments in the British Army being the 3rd Regiment of Foot. ... The Welch Regiment (or The Welch) was a British army regiment. ... The Essex Regiemnt was an infantry regiment of the British Army. ... The Punjab Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Pakistan Army. ... The Rajputana Rifles are the senior most rifle regiment of the Indian Army. ... The 9 Gorkha Rifles is a Gorkha regiment of the Indian Army. ...

7 INDIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE

• • HQ
  • 1 BN The Royal Sussex Regiment
  • 2 Royal BN 11th Sikh Regiment
  • 4 BN 11th Sikh Regiment (up to April 1942)
  • 4 BN 16th Punjab Regt
  • 1 BN 2nd King Edward's Own Goorkha Rifles (from April 1942)

The Royal Sussex Regiment, a regiment in the British Army , was formed in 1881 from the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foot and the 107th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Light Infantry) . // Following its formation the 1st Battalion was sent to the Sudan on the unsuccessful attempt to save General... The 2nd King Edward VIIs Own Gurkha Rifles (The Sirmoor Rifles) was a regiment of the British Indian Army before being transferred to the British Army on Indias independence. ...

11 INDIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE

• • HQ
  • 2 BN The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
  • 2 BN 5th Mahratta Light Infantry (up to June 1942)
  • 1 BN (Wellesley's) 6th Rajputana Rifles (up to April 1942)(with 5 Brigade in Italy)
  • 4 BN 7th Rajput Regiment (up to Jan 1942)
  • 3 Royal Bn 12th Frontier Force Regiment
  • 3 BN 14th Punjab Regiment (from Jan 1942)
  • 2 BN 7th Gurkha Rifles (from April 1942)
  • Lovat's Scouts

The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders was a regiment of the British Army. ... This article is in need of attention. ... The Rajputana Rifles are the senior most rifle regiment of the Indian Army. ... In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, self-sufficiency, physical and moral resilience, orderliness and hard work, fighting tenacity, and above all, a sense of courage and loyalty were the characteristics attributed by the British to the Indian martial races. ... The 12th Frontier Force Regiment was part of the British Indian Army . ... The Punjab Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Pakistan Army. ... The 7th Duke of Edinburghs Own Gurkha Rifles started as a regiment of the British Indian Army, before being transferred to the British Army following Indias independence. ...

Support Units

• ROYAL INDIAN ARMY SERVICE CORPS
  • 4 Ind Div Troops Tpt Coy
  • 5, 7 & 11 Brigade Tpt Coys
  • 220 Indian DID
• MEDICAL SERVICES
  • I.M.S-R.A.M.C-I.M.D-I.H.C-I.A.M.C
  • 14, 17, 19, 26 & 32 Indian Field Ambulances
  • 4 INDIAN DIV PROVOST UNIT
• INDIAN ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS
  • 4 Indian Div Ordnance FD Park
• INDIAN ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
  • 117, 118 & 119 Infantry Workshop Coys
  • 4 Indian Div Recovery Coy

Badge

4th Division Badge

The Division, known as Red Eagle due to its badge of a red eagle on a black background, is now a part of the Indian Army. Coming under the Central Command, it is headquartered in Allahabad. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Notable Members of the 4th Indian Division

• Ayub Khan, president of Pakistan
• Yahya Khan, president of Pakistan

This article is about a Pakistani military officer. ... Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan (February 4, 1917 – August 10, 1980) was the President of Pakistan from 1969 to 1971, following the resignation of Ayub Khan. ...

References

• MacKenzie, Compton (1951), Eastern Epic. Chatto & Windus, London
• Yeats-Brown, F (1945), Martial India. Eyre and Spottiswoode, London
• Anon (1946), The Tiger Triumphs: The Story of Three Great Divisions in Italy. HMSO