The 82nd (West Africa) Division was formed under British control during World War II. It took part in the later stages of the Burma Campaign. 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... The Burma Campaign was a campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II. It was fought primarily between Commonwealth, Chinese and American forces against the Empire of Japan. ...

History

The inspiration for the division's formation came from General George Giffard. He had extensive experience of leading East African troops, and early in World War II became the commander of Britain's West Africa Command. He was eager for troops from Britain's African colonies to play their part in the war. When he was subsequently appointed to command British India Command's Eastern Army, facing the Japanese army on the frontier between India and Burma, he requested that the two divisions being organised in West Africa be used. General Sir George Giffard GCB, DSO (1886 - 1964) was a British military officer, who had a distinguished career in command of African troops in World War I, and who rose to command an Army Group in South East Asia in World War II. // Early Career After attending Rugby School and... The British India Command the name given to the general staff of the India. ...

The division was formed from the battalions of the existing Royal West African Frontier Force, which was being expanded. The Division's Headquarters was created on August 1, 1943. It followed the British 81st (West Africa) Division in the numbering sequence of British war-raised infantry divisions. The HQ took control of its sub-units (which had previously existed as independent "brigade groups") on November 1 that year. 1st (West Africa) and 2nd (West Africa) Brigades had previously taken part in the East African Campaign in 1940 and 1941. The division's formation sign was crossed spears on a porter's headband, in black (somtimes white) on a yellow shield. The West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) was a multi-batallion field force, formed by the British Colonial Office in 1900 to administer the regular colonial forces of West Africa. ... August 1 is the 213th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (214th in leap years), with 152 days remaining. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... 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. ...

On May 20, 1944, the division sailed for Ceylon, where the complete division was assembled on July 20. In August, the organisation was slightly changed, with supporting arms being controlled by the division HQ. The division was organised on a "head load" basis, with porters carrying all heavy equipment and supplies. Although many of the troops were from the savannah of northern Ghana and Nigeria, they were well-trained and effective when operating in jungle and mountains. May 20 is the 140th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (141st in leap years). ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... July 20 is the 201st day (202nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 164 days remaining. ... Savannah may refer to: Four cities in the United States: Savannah, Georgia, a city known for its historic district Savannah River, which flows past the Georgia city Savannah River Site, a nuclear facility near Augusta, Georgia, upriver from Savannah Savannah, Missouri Savannah, New York Savannah, Tennessee sav is so awesome...

After further training, the division took part in the third Arakan Campaign in December, 1944. It first advanced south along the Kalapanzin valley, then crossed a steep and jungle-covered mountain range to converge with the British 81st (West Africa) Division on Myohaung at the mouth of the Kaladan River. This move forced the Japanese to evacuate the Mayu peninsula which they had held for almost four years, and retreat south along the coast. As they retreated, units of the Indian 25th Infantry Division landed in inlets and chaungs ahead of them. Caught between the troops landing from the sea and the pursuing 82nd African Division, the Japanese suffered heavy casualties. Arakan is a state in the North Western part of Myanmar, formerly Burma. ...

Later in the season, operations along the Arakan coast had to be scaled back to allow the available transport aircraft to supply the Allied forces in Central Burma. The Japanese were able to hold the two main passes across the Arakan Range of hills, the An pass and Taungup pass. The 82nd Division nevertheless maintained pressure, capturing the port of Gwa shortly before the Japanese abandoned Burma.

Order of Battle (as of January 1, 1945)

General Officer Commanding : Major General George McIlree Stanton Bruce (replaced due to illness by Major General Hugh Charles Stockwell 12/01/1945) January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday. ...

1st (West Africa) Infantry Brigade

1st Bn. The Nigeria Regiment

2nd Bn. The Nigeria Regiment

3rd Bn. The Nigeria Regiment

2nd (West Africa) Infantry Brigade

1st Bn. The Gold Coast Regiment

2nd Bn. The Gold Coast Regiment

3rd Bn. The Gold Coast Regiment

4th (West Africa) Infantry Brigade

5th Bn. The Nigeria Regiment

9th Bn. The Nigeria Regiment

10th Bn. The Nigeria Regiment

Divisional Units

82nd (West Africa) Infantry Division Regiment

102 Light Regiment West African Artillery

1st Light Battery WAA

2nd Light Battery WAA

4th Light Battery WAA

42nd Mortar Regiment WAA

22nd Anti-Tank Regiment WAA

1st Field Company West African Engineers

2nd Field Company WAE

4th Field Company WAE

9th Field Park Company WAE

References

External links

• 82 (West Africa) Infantry Division at Orders of Battle.com^?
• Burma Star organisation page