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Northumberland County Division

2025-06-02T17:03:41Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:F8CB:B7A:90A8:48D5: Removed Category:Military units and formations of the British Empire in World War II as already in more specific Category:British county divisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Northumberland County Division
|image=Northumbrian County Division -vector.svg
|caption=[[Divisional insignia of the British Army|Formation sign]] of the Northumberland County Division<ref>Cole p59</ref>
|dates=24 February 1941 – 21 December 1941
|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|allegiance=
|branch=[[Image:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]][[British Army]]
|type=Static Division
|role=Home Defence
|size=
|command_structure=
|current_commander=
|garrison=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
}}
The '''Northumberland County Division''' was a formation of the [[British Army]] in the [[World War II|Second World War]], its headquarters were formed on 24 February 1941. It ceased to function on 1 December 1941,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PuU6AwAAQBAJ&pg=PT218|title=Companion to the British Army 1939-45|first=George |last=Forty|publisher=History Press|year=2009|isbn=978-0752452401}}</ref> and the headquarters were disbanded on 21 December 1941. It was commanded by [[Major General (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] [[Robert Cotton Money|R. C. Money]] and was an infantry only formation consisting of three Independent Infantry Brigades (Home). Combat support, artillery, engineers etc., would be provided by other local formations.<ref>Joslen, p. 108</ref> It was commanded by [[X Corps (United Kingdom)|X Corps]] until 9 April, [[IX Corps (United Kingdom)|IX Corps]] until 30 November and War Office control from then until disbandment.<ref name = J115>Joslen p115</ref>

==Order of Battle==
All brigades were part of the division from 12 March to 30 November 1941.<ref name = J115/>

'''202nd Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)'''<ref>Joslen, p. 365</ref>

Commanded by Brigadier H. Pawle to 20 May 1941, Brigadier G.F. Gough to 11 November 1941, and then Lt-Colonel A.E. Belcher.
* 11th Battalion, [[King's Regiment (Liverpool)]] – ''left 18 November 1941, to 225th Brigade''
* [[12th Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool)]] – ''left 27 May 1941, to 225th Brigade''
* 11th Battalion, [[Green Howards]] – ''left 26 November 1941''
* [[7th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment]] – ''left 26 November 1941''
* [[9th (Garrison) Battalion, Green Howards]] – ''14 to 30 November 1941, from 216th Brigade''

The brigade headquarters was disbanded with the division.

'''216th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)'''<ref>Joslen, p. 379</ref>

Commanded by Brigadier [[Terence Battersby|T.E.M. Battersby]] to 1 July 1941, Brigadier W. Carden Roe to 29 October 1941, then Lt-Colonel H. Ross-Skinner.
* 12th Battalion, [[Royal Scots]] ''left 21 October 1941''
* 13th Battalion, [[Highland Light Infantry]] ''left 17 November 1941''
* 11th Battalion, [[Gordon Highlanders]] ''left 6 October 1941''
* 9th (Donside) Battalion, Gordon Highlanders ''11 October to 15 November 1941''
* 7th Battalion, [[Seaforth Highlanders]] ''11 to 31 October 1941''
* 9th (Garrison) Battalion, Green Howards ''31 October to 14 November 1941, to 202nd Brigade''

The brigade headquarters was disbanded with the division.

'''225th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)'''<ref>Joslen, pp. 208, 388</ref>

Commanded by Brigadier J.W. Pendlebury to 17 November 1941, then Lt-Colonel H.S. Crow.
* 10th Battalion, [[King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)]]
* 14th Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool) ''left 9 February 1941''
* 9th Battalion, [[Border Regiment]] ''left 17 November 1941''
* 9th Battalion, [[South Lancashire Regiment]] ''left 27 May 1941''
* 12th Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool) ''28 May to 13 November 1941, from 202nd Brigade''
* 15th Battalion, [[Durham Light Infantry]] ''from 19 November 1941''
* 11th Battalion, King's Regiment (Liverpool) ''from 19 November 1941, from 202nd Brigade''

The brigade headquarters was converted into the [[35th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|35th Army Tank Brigade]]. Its remaining infantry battalions were converted to the armoured role.

==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}
* [[List of British divisions in World War II]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
*{{cite book|last1=Cole|first1=Howard|title=Formation Badges of World War 2 Britain, Commonwealth and Empire|date=1973|publisher=Arms and Armour Press|location=London}}
* {{cite book
| last = Joslen | first = Lt-Col H.F.
| year = 1990
| orig-year = 1st. Pub. [[HMSO]]:1960
| title = Orders of Battle, Second World War, 1939–1945
| publisher = London Stamp Exchange
| location = London
| isbn = 0-948130-03-2
}}

{{British Divisions in World War II}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Northumberland County Division}}
[[Category:British county divisions]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1941]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1941]]

{{UK-mil-unit-stub}}

Norfolk County Division

2025-06-02T17:03:26Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:F8CB:B7A:90A8:48D5: Removed Category:Military units and formations of the British Empire in World War II as already in more specific Category:British county divisions

{{More citations needed|date=December 2009}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Norfolk County Division
|image=
|caption=
|dates=24 December 1940 - 18 November 1941
|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|allegiance=
|branch={{army|United Kingdom}}
|type=Static Division
|role=
|size=
|command_structure=
|current_commander=
|garrison=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
}}
The '''Norfolk County Division''' was short lived of the [[British Army]] formed during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. It was formed on 24 December 1940, and disbanded on 18 November 1941 by being redesignated as the [[76th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|76th Infantry Division]].<ref name = J114>Joslen p. 114</ref> It was commanded by [[Major General (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] [[William Ozanne|W.H. Ozanne]], and it was an infantry only formation consisting of three Independent Infantry Brigades (Home). Combat support, artillery, engineers etc., would be provided by other local formations.<ref>Joslen, p. 108</ref>

It was under command of [[II Corps (United Kingdom)|II Corps]] for its existence.

==Order of Battle==
All brigades were part of the division from 12 December 1940 to 17 November 1941.<ref name = J114/>

'''[[213th Brigade (United Kingdom)|213th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)]]'''<ref>Joslen p. 376</ref>
* 13th Battalion, [[Royal Warwickshire Regiment]]
* 9th Battalion, [[Royal Berkshire Regiment]]
* [[14th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment]]

Redesignated as the 213th Infantry Brigade on leaving the division.

'''[[220th Brigade (United Kingdom)|220th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)]]'''<ref>Joslen p. 383</ref>
* 23rd Battalion, [[Royal Fusiliers]] ''(left 5 July 1941)''
* 7th Battalion, [[Royal Norfolk Regiment]]
* 9th Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment
* 9th Battalion, [[Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment]]

Redesignated as the 220th Infantry Brigade on leaving the division.

'''[[222nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|222nd Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)]]'''<ref>Joslen p. 385</ref>
* 8th Battalion, [[Royal Lincolnshire Regiment|Lincolnshire Regiment]]
* 8th Battalion, [[Royal Leicestershire Regiment|Leicestershire Regiment]]
* 11th Battalion, [[Royal Scots Fusiliers]]

Redesignated as the 222nd Infantry Brigade on leaving the division.

==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}
* [[List of British divisions in World War II]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book
| last = Joslen | first = Lt-Col H.F.
| year = 1990
| orig-year = 1st. Pub. [[HMSO]]:1960
| title = Orders of Battle, Second World War, 1939–1945
| publisher = London Stamp Exchange
| location = London
| isbn = 0-948130-03-2
}}

{{British Divisions in World War II}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Norfolk County Division}}
[[Category:British county divisions]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1940]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1941]]

{{UK-mil-unit-stub}}

Lincolnshire County Division

2025-06-02T17:03:11Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:F8CB:B7A:90A8:48D5: Removed Category:Military units and formations of the British Empire in World War II as already in more specific Category:British county divisions

{{More citations needed|date=February 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Lincolnshire County Division
|image=LincolnshireCounty Division Insignia.jpg
|image_size=150px
|caption=[[Divisional insignia of the British Army|Division insignia]] of the Lincolnshire County Division<ref>Cole p59</ref>
|dates=24 February 1941 – 3 December 1941
|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|allegiance=
|branch=[[Image:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]] [[British Army]]
|type=Static Division
|role= Home Defence
|size=
|command_structure=
|current_commander=
|garrison=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
}}
The '''Lincolnshire County Division''' was a short-lived formation of the [[British Army]], formed in the [[World War II|Second World War]]. The headquarters were formed on 24 February 1941, becoming operational on 27 March. It ceased to function on 25 November and was disbanded on 3 December. Its commanding officer was [[Major General (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] Arthur Kenneth Hay,<ref name = J113>Joslen p113</ref> and it was an infantry only formation consisting of three Independent Infantry Brigades (Home). Combat support, artillery, engineers etc., would be provided by other local formations.<ref>Joslen, p. 108</ref> It was commanded by [[I Corps (United Kingdom)|I Corps]].

== Order of Battle ==
All brigades were part of the division from 27 March to late November 1941.<ref name =J113/>

* [[204th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)]]<ref>Joslen p. 367</ref>
** 6th Battalion, [[The King's Shropshire Light Infantry]]
** 7th Battalion, [[The South Lancashire Regiment]] ''(left 31 May 1941)''
** 8th Battalion, The South Lancashire Regiment
** 12th Battalion, [[The Sherwood Foresters]] ''(left 31 August 1941)''

Redesignated the 204th Independent Infantry Brigade with its remaining battalions, on leaving the division.

* [[205th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)]]<ref>Joslen p. 368</ref>
** 7th Battalion, [[Royal Norfolk Regiment]] ''(left 5 November 1941)''
** [[7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment]]
** 7th Battalion, [[The Leicestershire Regiment]]
** [[8th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment (1940–42)|8th Battalion, The North Staffordshire Regiment]]

The remaining battalions left the brigade on, or shortly after the brigade left the division, the brigade headquarters was converted into the [[36th Tank Brigade (United Kingdom)|36th Army Tank Brigade]] shortly after that.

* [[212th Brigade (United Kingdom)|212th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)]]<ref>Joslen p. 375</ref>
** 6th Battalion, [[The South Wales Borderers]]
** 9th Battalion, [[The Royal Sussex Regiment]]
** 10th Battalion, [[The Gloucestershire Regiment]]
** 18th Battalion, [[The Welch Regiment]] ''(left 28 May 1941)''

Redesignated the 212th Independent Infantry Brigade with its remaining battalions and joined the [[54th (East Anglian) Infantry Division#Second World War|54th (East Anglian) Infantry Division]].

==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}
* [[List of British divisions in World War II]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|last1=Cole|first1=Howard|title=Formation Badges of World War 2 Britain, Commonwealth and Empire|date=1973|publisher=Arms and Armour Press|location=London}}
* {{cite book
| last = Joslen | first = Lt-Col H.F.
| year = 1990
| orig-year = 1st. Pub. [[HMSO]]:1960
| title = Orders of Battle, Second World War, 1939–1945
| publisher = London Stamp Exchange
| location = London
| isbn = 0-948130-03-2
}}

{{British Divisions in World War II}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lincolnshire County Division}}
[[Category:British county divisions]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1941]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1941]]

Hampshire County Division

2025-06-02T17:02:54Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:F8CB:B7A:90A8:48D5: Removed Category:Military units and formations of the British Empire in World War II as already in more specific Category:British county divisions

{{more citations needed|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Hampshire County Division
|image=Hampshire County Division Insignia.jpg
|image_size=150px
|caption=[[Divisional insignia of the British Army|Division insignia]] of the Hampshire County Division<ref>Cole p58</ref>
|dates=28 February 1941 - 31 December 1941
|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|allegiance=
|branch=[[Image:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]][[British Army]]
|type=Static Division
|role=Home Defence
|size=
|command_structure=
|current_commander=
|garrison=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
}}
The '''Hampshire County Division''' was a short-lived formation of the [[British Army]], located in [[South East England]] on the coast of the [[English Channel]]. It was raised in the [[World War II|Second World War]] and was formed on 28 February 1941 by the redesignation of [[Hampshire]] Area. On 25 November the division ceased to function and the headquarters was disbanded on 31 December. It was commanded by [[Major General (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] G. J. P. St. Clair and was an infantry only formation consisting of one Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) and three sub areas from the Hampshire area.<ref name =J112>Joslen p. 112</ref> Combat support, artillery, engineers etc., would be provided by other local formations.<ref>Joslen p. 108</ref> and served under [[V Corps (United Kingdom)|V Corps]].

== Order of Battle==
The brigade served with the division from its formation until 30 November 1941.<ref name =J112/><ref name =J377>Joslen p. 377</ref>

* [[214th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|214th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)]]<ref name =J377/>
** 6th Battalion, [[The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry]] ''(left 26 November 1941)''
** 19th Battalion, [[The Royal Fusiliers]]
** 20th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers
** 21st Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers ''(left 15 July 1941)''
** 11th Battalion, [[The West Yorkshire Regiment]] ''(joined 15 July, left 26 November 1941)''
** 11th Battalion, [[The Hampshire Regiment]] ''(joined 13 November 1941)''
** 12th Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment ''(joined 25 November 1941)''

The brigade would join the [[47th (London) Infantry Division]].

==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}
* [[List of British divisions in World War II]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last1=Cole|first1=Howard|title=Formation Badges of World War 2 Britain, Commonwealth and Empire|date=1973|publisher=Arms and Armour Press|location=London}}
* {{cite book
| last = Joslen | first = Lt-Col H.F.
| year = 1990
| orig-year = 1st. Pub. [[HMSO]]:1960
| title = Orders of Battle, Second World War, 1939–1945
| publisher = London Stamp Exchange
| location = London
| isbn = 0-948130-03-2
}}

{{British Divisions in World War II}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hampshire County Division}}
[[Category:British county divisions]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1941]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1941]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Hampshire]]

{{UK-mil-stub}}

Essex County Division

2025-06-02T17:02:13Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:F8CB:B7A:90A8:48D5: Removed Category:Military units and formations of the British Empire in World War II as already in more specific Category:British county divisions

{{More citations needed|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Essex County Division
|image=Essex County Division -vector.svg
|caption=[[Divisional insignia of the British Army|Division insignia]] of the Essex County Division<ref>Cole p58</ref>
|dates=18 February – 7 October 1941
|country=United Kingdom
|allegiance=
|branch=[[British Army]]
|type=Static Division
|role=
|size=
|command_structure=
|current_commander=
|garrison=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
}}
The '''Essex County Division''' was a short-lived formation of the [[British Army]] formed in the [[World War II|Second World War]] on 18 February 1941 by the redesignation of the [[West Sussex County Division]]. It was disbanded on 7 October.<ref>Joslen p. 111</ref> It had one commanding officer, [[Major General (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] [[John Priestman (army officer)|J. H. T. Priestman]]. It was an infantry only formation consisting of three Independent Infantry Brigades (Home). Combat support, artillery, engineers etc., would be provided by other local formations.<ref>Joslen, p. 108</ref> It was under the command of [[XI Corps (United Kingdom)|XI Corps]] from formation to 22 July and then under [[British GHQ Home Forces|GHQ Home Forces]].

== Order of Battle==

* [[207th Independent Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|207th Independent Home Infantry Brigade]]<ref>Joslen p. 370</ref>
** 7th Battalion, [[The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry]] ''(left 26 August 1941)''
** 9th Battalion, [[The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)|The Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment]] ''(left 27 August 1941)''
** 10th Battalion, [[The York and Lancaster Regiment]] ''(left 25 August 1941)''
** 13th Battalion, [[The Sherwood Foresters]] ''(left 22 July 1941)''

The brigade headquarters remained, without battalions, with the division until its disbanding, then it was redesignated the 207th Independent Infantry Brigade.

* [[208th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)|208th Independent Home Infantry Brigade]]<ref>Joslen p. 371</ref>
** 7th Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment ''(left 13 October 1941)''
** 10th Battalion, [[The Lancashire Fusiliers]] ''(left 10 October 1941)''
** 13th Battalion, [[The King's Regiment]] ''(left 13 October 1941)''
** 22nd Battalion, [[The Royal Fusiliers]] ''(left 22 July 1941)''

The brigade headquarters was disbanded shortly after the division.

* [[223rd Brigade (United Kingdom)|223rd Independent Home Infantry Brigade]]<ref>Joslen p. 386</ref>
** 6th Battalion, [[The Northamptonshire Regiment]]
** 8th Battalion, [[The Suffolk Regiment]]
** 10th Battalion, [[The Essex Regiment]]

The brigade left the division on 22 July 1941, joining [[XI Corps (United Kingdom)|XI Corps]].

==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}
* [[List of British divisions in World War II]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|last1=Cole|first1=Howard|title=Formation Badges of World War 2 Britain, Commonwealth and Empire|date=1973|publisher=Arms and Armour Press|location=London}}
* {{cite book
| last = Joslen | first = Lt-Col H.F.
| year = 1990
| orig-year = 1st. Pub. [[HMSO]]:1960
| title = Orders of Battle, Second World War, 1939–1945
| publisher = London Stamp Exchange
| location = London
| isbn = 0-948130-03-2
}}

{{British Divisions in World War II}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Essex County Division}}
[[Category:British county divisions]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1941]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1941]]

{{UK-mil-unit-stub}}
{{WWII-stub}}

Durham and North Riding County Division

2025-06-02T17:01:54Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:F8CB:B7A:90A8:48D5: Removed Category:Military units and formations of the British Empire in World War II as already in more specific Category:British county divisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Durham and North Riding County Division
| image = Durham County Division -vector.svg
| caption = [[Divisional insignia of the British Army|Division insignia]] of the Durham and North Riding County Division<ref name = Cole58>Cole, p. 58.</ref>
| dates = 12 March 1941 – 1 December 1941
| country = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| allegiance =
| branch = [[Image:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]] [[British Army]]
| type = Static Division
| role = Home Defence
| size =
| command_structure =
| current_commander =
| garrison =
| ceremonial_chief =
| colonel_of_the_regiment =
| nickname =
| patron =
| motto =
| colors =
| march =
| mascot =
| battles =
| notable_commanders = [[Major General (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] [[Philip James Shears]]
| anniversaries =
}}
The '''Durham and North Riding County Division''' was a coastal defence formation of the [[British Army]] during the [[World War II|Second World War]]. It existed only from 12 March 1941 until 1 December 1941, when it was redesignated Durham and North Riding Coastal Area and the subordinate brigade headquarters were disbanded. Most of the infantry battalions were then converted to other roles with the [[Royal Artillery]] or the [[Royal Armoured Corps]]. In its short existence the division had just one general officer commanding, Major-General [[Philip James Shears|P. J. Shears]]. It was under the command from [[X Corps (United Kingdom)|X Corps]] from formation until 9 April and then under [[IX Corps (United Kingdom)|IX Corps]].<ref>Joslen, p. 110.</ref>

The divisional sign was a pun on the name of the division's commander and a reference to the wool industry of the area.<ref name = Cole58/>

== Order of battle==
County divisions were static infantry-only formations with any supporting arms on loan from other formations. The division/s order of battle was as follows:<ref>Joslen p. 108</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/Units/UnitOrderofBattle?UniX=5802&OobDate=25+August+1941|title=Durham and North Riding County Division|website=ordersofbattle.com|access-date=2019-01-20|archive-date=20 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120093646/http://www.ordersofbattle.com/Units/UnitOrderofBattle?UniX=5802&OobDate=25+August+1941|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* [[215th Brigade (United Kingdom)|215th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)]]<ref>Joslen, p. 378.</ref>
** [[7th Battalion, Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)]] – ''left 27 November 1941''
** [[8th Battalion, Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)]] – ''left 27 November 1941''
** [[9th Battalion, Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)]] – ''left 19 November 1941''
** [[12th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers]] – ''to 217 Bde 9 May – 23 October 1941; left 21 December 1941''
** [[8th Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles]] – ''from [[11th Armoured Division (United Kingdom)|11th Armoured Division]] 9 May 1941; left 31 May 1941''<ref name = Joslen221>Joslen, p. 221.</ref>
* [[217th Brigade (United Kingdom)|217th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)]]<ref>Joslen, p. 380.</ref>
** 12th Battalion, [[West Yorkshire Regiment]] – ''disbanded 17 August 1941''<ref>Frederick, p 180.</ref>
** [[115th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery#8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment|8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment]] – ''to 224 Bde 24 November 1941''
** 12th Battalion [[Green Howards]] – ''to 11th Armoured Division 9 May 1941''<ref name = Joslen221/>
** 15th Battalion, [[The Durham Light Infantry]] – ''left 17 November 1941''
** 12th Battalion, [[The Royal Welch Fusiliers]] – ''from 215 Bde 9 May 1941; left 23 October 1941''
* [[224th Brigade (United Kingdom)|224th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home)]]<ref>Joslen, p. 387.</ref>
** [[7th Battalion, South Wales Borderers]] – ''left 15 November 1941''
** 19th Battalion, [[Welch Regiment]] – ''left 12 May 1941''
** 9th Battalion, [[The North Staffordshire Regiment]] – ''left 15 December 1941''
** 8th Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles – ''from 215 Bde 1 August 1941; left 15 December 1941''
** 8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment – ''from 217 Bde 25 November 1941, left 15 December 1941''

==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom}}
* [[List of British divisions in World War II]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
*{{cite book |last1=Cole |first1=Howard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gvd_QgAACAAJ |title=Formation Badges of World War 2 Britain, Commonwealth and Empire |date=1973 |publisher=Arms and Armour Press |isbn=978-0-85368-078-9 |location=London}}
* J. B. M. Frederick, ''Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660–1978'', Vol I, Wakefield: Microform Academic, 1984, {{ISBN|1-85117-007-3}}.
* {{Joslen-OOB}}

{{British Divisions in World War II}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Durham And North Riding County Division}}
[[Category:British county divisions]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1941]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1941]]

3rd Infantry Division (South Africa)

2025-06-02T16:42:25Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:F8CB:B7A:90A8:48D5:

{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=3rd South African Infantry Division
|image=UDFparade.jpg
|caption=South African infantry on parade prior to the Union of South Africa's entry into World War II
|dates=23 October 1940 – 17 May 1943
|country={{flag|South Africa|1928}}
|allegiance=[[Allies of World War II|Allied forces of World War II]]
|branch={{army|Union of South Africa}}
|type= [[Infantry]]
|role=
|size= Division
|command_structure=
|garrison=Pretoria and later Ermelo
|garrison_label=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=
|disbanded=4 April 1942 (re-designated as 3rd Arm Div)

|commander1=Major General Hermanus Botha
|commander1_label=Until re-designation as 3rd Arm Div
|commander2=
|commander2_label=Second
|commander3=
|commander3_label=
|notable_commanders=

|identification_symbol= [[File:3rd_SA_div.svg|100px]]
|identification_symbol_label=
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2_label=
|identification_symbol_3=
|identification_symbol_3_label=
|identification_symbol_4=
|identification_symbol_4_label=
}}
{{South African Divisions in World War II}}

The '''South African 3rd Infantry Division''' was an [[infantry]] [[division (military)|division]] of the [[South African Army]] during [[World War II]].

== History ==

This division was formed in [[South Africa]] on 23 October 1940<ref name=Orpen1979>{{cite book|last1=Martin|first1=H.J.|last2=Orpen|first2=Neil D |title=South Africa at War: Military and Industrial Organisation and Operations in connection with the conduct of the War, 1939-1945|date=1979|publisher=Purnell|location=Cape Town|isbn=0-86843-025-0}}</ref>{{rp|68}} with its headquarters in [[Pretoria]].

The 3rd Infantry Division as a whole did not go into combat, but its 7th Motorized brigade group participated in the 1942 Invasion of Madagascar. The division organised and trained the South African home defence forces, performed garrison duties and trained and supplied replacements for the [[South African 1st Infantry Division|1st]] and [[South African 2nd Infantry Division|2nd]] Divisions deployed to East Africa and later to the Western Desert.<ref name=Orpen1979 />{{rp|100}}

The division was based in Pretoria until 1942, whereafter the division then moved to
[[Ermelo, Mpumalanga|Ermelo]] in the Eastern [[Transvaal Province|Transvaal]], although its constituent units were deployed as far as the then [[South West Africa]].

On 4 April 1942 the division was redesignated the South African 3rd Armoured Division. This division was disbanded on 17 May 1943, without ever having been deployed. However, one of the division's constituent units, the 7th Motorised Brigade, did take part in the [[Battle of Madagascar|invasion of Madagascar]].

[[Major General]] Hermanus Botha was the commander of the division from 23 August 1940 until its redesignation.

==Order of battle==
On formation in October 1940, the Division was structured as follows:<ref>{{cite web|website=Command and General Staff College (CGSC)|title=South African Army: 3 September 1939 - July 1940|url=http://www.cgsc.edu/CARL/nafziger/939BIBG.pdf |access-date=10 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824033043/http://www.cgsc.edu/CARL/nafziger/939BIBG.pdf|archive-date=2014-08-24}}</ref>
*Division Troops
**6th Light Field Brigade, SAA
**8th, 9th, 10th Field Companies, SAEC?
**17th Divisional Field Park Company, SAEC?
*[[7th South African Infantry Brigade]] (Raised 11 July 1940 at Premier Mine)
**1st [[Pretoria Regiment]]
**1st [[Witwatersrand Rifles]]
**[[Regiment de la Rey]]
*[[8th South African Infantry Brigade]] (Raised 1 July 1940 in East London. Disbanded November 1940.)
**The [[Cape Town Highlanders]]
**[[Prince Alfred's Guard]]
**The [[First City Regiment]]
*[[9th South African Infantry Brigade]] (Raised 15 July 1940 at Premier Mine)
**[[Regiment President Steyn]] (Until 22 Nov 40)
**Die Middelandse Regiment
**[[Regiment Westelike Provinsie]] (Until 1 Sep 40)
**2nd Pretoria Regiment (From Sep - Oct 40)
**2nd [[Transvaal Scottish]] (From 4 Sep - 21 Nov 40)
**2nd [[Royal Natal Carbineers]] (From 9 Sep - 3 Oct 40)
**1st Regiment Botha (From Sep - Nov 40)
**1st [[Pretoria Highlanders]] (From Nov 40)
**The [[Cape Town Highlanders]] (From 6 Nov 40)
**2nd [[Natal Mounted Rifles]] (From 23 Nov 40)
*[[10th South African Infantry Brigade]] (Raised July 1940. Replaced 8th Bde in Nov 40.)
**The [[Kimberley Regiment]]
**2nd [[Witwatersrand Rifles]]
**The First City Regiment
*[[11th South African Infantry Brigade]] (Raised July 1940. Disbanded October 1940.)
**2nd Witwatersrand Rifles
**1st South-West African Infantry Battalion
**2nd [[Imperial Light Horse]]
*[[12th South African Infantry Brigade]] (Raised July 1940. Disbanded September 1940.)
**2nd [[Royal Natal Carbineers]]
**2nd Pretoria Regiment
**2nd [[Rand Light Infantry]]

==Citations==
{{Reflist}}
{{SA Army Units}}

[[Category:South African World War II divisions]]
[[Category:Infantry divisions of South Africa]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1940]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1942]]

2nd South African Infantry Division

2025-06-02T16:41:25Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:F8CB:B7A:90A8:48D5:

{{Short description|Infantry division of the Union of South Africa during World War II}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=2nd South African Infantry Division
|image=
|caption=
|dates=23 October 1940 – 21 June 1942
|country={{flag|South Africa|1928}}
|allegiance=[[Allies of World War II|Allied forces of World War II]]
|branch={{army|Union of South Africa}}
|type= [[Infantry]]
|role=
|size= Division
|command_structure=
|garrison=
|garrison_label=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|colors=
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|battle_honours=Clayden's Trench (Sollum): Jan 1942, Gazala: Jun 1942, Tobruk: Jun 1942
|disbanded=21 Jun 1942

|commander1=From 23 Oct 1940: [[Major General]] [[Isaace Pierre de Villiers|IP de Villiers]]
|commander1_label=First
|commander2=From 26 Jul 1941: [[Brigadier]] FH Theron (acting)
|commander2_label=Second
|commander3=From 5 Sep 1941: Major General IP de Villiers and from 14 May 1942: Major General [[Hendrik Klopper|HB Klopper]]
|commander3_label=Final
|notable_commanders=

|identification_symbol=[[Image:2SADiv.svg|100px]]
|identification_symbol_label=
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2_label=
|identification_symbol_3=
|identification_symbol_3_label=
|identification_symbol_4=
|identification_symbol_4_label=
}}
{{South African Divisions in World War II}}
{{Campaignbox Western Desert}}

The '''South African 2nd Infantry Division''' was an [[infantry]] [[Division (military)|division]] of the [[South African Army|army]] of the [[Union of South Africa]] during [[Military history of South Africa during World War II|World War II]]. The division was formed on 23 October 1940 and served in the [[Western Desert Campaign]] and was captured (save for one brigade) by German and Italian forces at [[Tobruk]] on 21 June 1942. The remaining brigade was re-allocated to the [[1st Infantry Division (South Africa)|South African 1st Infantry Division]].

{{TOC limit}}

==History==
The division was formed on 23 October 1940 with its divisional HQ at [[Voortrekkerhoogte]], [[South Africa]]. On 21 June 1942 two complete infantry brigades of the division as well as most of the supporting units were captured at the fall of [[Tobruk]].

===Bardia and the Western Desert===
The division capture of Bardia was part of the Libyan campaign against Rommel's [[Afrika Korps]] from November 1941 to January 1942. They defeated a numerically superior Axis force in a strongly fortified position with a combined infantry and tank force.<ref name=LoneSentryBardia>{{cite web|author1=U.S. War Department, WWII|title=The British Capture of Bardia (December 1941 - January 1942): A Successful Infantry-Tank Attack|url=http://www.lonesentry.com/bardia_intel/|website=Lone Sentry|publisher=Military Intelligence Service, Information Bulletin No. 21|access-date=27 December 2014|location=Washington, DC|page=MID 461|date=25 July 1942}}</ref>

==== Order of battle ====
21 September 1941<ref name=LoneSentryBardia />
* '''3 S. A. Inf Bde.''' -
** Comd. Brig. C. E. BORAIN {{Post-nominals|country=ZAR|MC|VD}}
** Tps.
*** 1 I.L.H.
*** 1 R.L.I
*** 1 KAFF R. (under comd from 1000 hrs 25 Dec. 41)
*** B & C Coys D. M. R.
*** 2 S. A. Fd Coy less one sec.
*** One Sec 10 S. A. Fd Coy.
*** One Pl 4 Bde Sig Coy. Under comd from 1000 hrs 26 Dec.
*** 5 Bde Sig Coy less one pl.
*** 3 S. A. Bde 'Q' Services Coy.
*** Three dets 14 S. A. Fd Amb. (Under comd from D.-1)
** with in support:
*** One Regt 1 Army Tank Bde.
*** Arty as arranged by C. R. A.
** Task.
*** To attack BARDIA through perimeter defences as described in Para 6 (a) and in Operation Instruction No. 21 (Appx 'A').
* '''NORTHFORCE'''
** Comd. Lt. Col. J. BUTLER-PORTER {{Post-nominals|country=ZAR|VD}} 1 [[Durban Light Infantry|R.D.L.I.]]
** Tps.
*** 1 [[Durban Light Infantry|R.D.L.I.]]
*** Sec 2 S. A. Fd Coy.
*** Pl 5 Bde Sig. Coy.
*** Det 16 Fd Amb. Under comd from 1000 hrs 26 Dec.
** with in support:
*** [[Divisional Cavalry Regiment (New Zealand)|N. Z. Div Cav Regt]], less one sqn.
** Tasks.
*** To contain and demonstrate against enemy forces within the perimeter along the gen line of enemy defences from incl 51143960—incl 51554030, in accordance with Operation Instruction No. 22 (Appx 'C'). [5]
* '''KINGFORCE'''
** Comd. Lt. Col. W. KINGWELL {{Post-nominals|country=ZAR|MC}} D. M. R.
** Tps.
*** D.M.R. less B. C. & D. Coys and one pl A. Coy.
*** Two Pls 7 S. A. Armd Recce Bn.
*** Det 4 S. A. Fd Coy (Under comd from 1000 hrs 26 Dec.).
** with in support:
*** One Sqn N. Z. Div Car Regt.
** Task.
*** To contain and demonstrate against enemy forces along the gen line of the perimeter defences from incl 51973860—excl 51143960, in accordance with Operation Instruction No. 23 (Appx 'D'). [5]
* '''SOUTHFORCE'''
** Comd. Maj. P. J. JACOBS, 7 S. A. Armd Recce Bn.
** Tps.
*** 7 S. A. Armd Recce Bn, less one Coy and two pls.
*** Det 4 S. A. Fd Coy
*** Det 14 S. A. Fd Amb. (Under comd from 1000 hrs 26 Dec.)
**Task.
*** To contain and demonstrate against enemy forces along the gen line of perimeter defences from incl MARSA ER RAMLA 52423868—excl 51973860, in accordance with Operation Instruction No. 24 (Appx. 'E'). [5]
* '''RESERVES'''
** Comd. Lt. Col. R. J. PALMER, 1 S. A. P.
** Tps.
*** One Regt 1 Army Tank Bde.
*** 1 S.A.P.
*** Sec 4 S. A. Fd Coy.
*** Det 14 S. A. Fd. Amb.{{efn| (Sgd) H.B. KLOPPER, Colonel, General Staff. Issued through Sigs and L. Os. Time of signature 2300 hrs.}}

==="Fortress Tobruk"===
{{main|Battle of Tobruk (1942)}}

===Surrender===
[[Image:MajGenHBKlopper.JPG|thumb|right|Maj.Gen. H. B. Klopper, Commander 2nd SA Inf Div at the surrender of Tobruk. (''South African National War Museum'')]]
After the capture of the rest of the division, 3rd South African Infantry Brigade and the 1st Field Regiment of the Cape Field Artillery became part of the [[1st Infantry Division (South Africa)|South African 1st Infantry Division]].

== Order of battle ==

===Initial operational deployment: 2 December 1941===
On 18 September 1941 the division was re-allocated from X Corps command to falling under General HQ command and were responsible for protecting the railway and water supply lines between [[Alexandria]] and [[Mersa Matruh]]. On 11 October, the [[Kaffrarian Rifles]] were detached from the division and deployed to protect the landing fields in the Daba-Fuka-Bagush area. On taking over responsibility for the Frontier area on 2 December 1941 the divisional order of battle, as part of the 8th Army was:<ref name="Orpen1971">{{cite book|last=Orpen|first=Neil D. |title=War in the desert|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tOpmAAAAMAAJ|volume=III|year=1971|publisher=Purnell|location=Cape Town|isbn=9780360001510 }}</ref>{{rp|Appendix 2}}

* HQ 2nd Infantry Division (Maj-Gen I.P. de Villiers)
** One Squadron 6th [[South African Armoured Car Regiment]]
* Braforce (Brig. Medley)
** [[2nd Infantry Brigade (South Africa)|2nd South African Infantry Brigade]]{{efn|This brigade was attached to the 1st South African Division after the loss of the 5th Infantry Brigade at [[Operation Crusader#Sidi Rezegh|Sidi-Rezegh]].<ref name="Klein1946">{{cite book|last=Klein| first=Harry Lt-Col| title=Springbok Record| year=1946| publisher=White House|location=Johannesburg|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oBGbuQAACAAJ}}</ref>{{rp|110}}}} ([[Evered Poole|Brig. W.H.E. Poole]])
** [[4th Infantry Brigade (South Africa)|4th South African Infantry Brigade]] (less one battalion) (Brig. [[A.A. Hayton]])
** 4th Field Regiment, [[South African Army Artillery Formation|S A Artillery]]
** One Battery, 5th Field Regiment, [[South African Army Artillery Formation|S A Artillery]]
** One Troop, 67th Medium Regiment, [[Royal Artillery]]
** One Troop, 68th Medium Regiment, [[Royal Artillery]]
** C and D Companies, [[Regiment Groot Karoo|Die Middellandse Regiment]]
* [[3rd Infantry Brigade (South Africa)|3rd South African Infantry Brigade]] (Brig C.E. Borain, MC, VD):
** [[Imperial Light Horse]]
** 1st [[Royal Durban Light Infantry]]
** [[Rand Light Infantry]]
** 5th Field Regiment, [[South African Army Artillery Formation|S A Artillery]] (less one battery)
* [[6th Infantry Brigade (South Africa)|6th South African Infantry Brigade]] (Brig. F.W. Cooper):
** 2nd [[Transvaal Scottish Regiment|Transvaal Scottish]]
** 1st [[South African Police]] Battalion
** 2nd [[South African Police]] Battalion
** 1st Field Regiment, [[Cape Field Artillery]]
* Railhead Force (Lt. Col. G.E.L. L'Estrange VD):
** [[Umvoti Mounted Rifles]]
** [[Regiment Groot Karoo|Die Middellandse Regiment]]
** Detachment TDS (approx 30 "I" Tanks{{efn|Infantry support tanks}})
** 10th Field Company, South African Engineering Corps
* [[5th Infantry Brigade (New Zealand)|5th New Zealand Infantry Brigade Group]]

===Order of battle: [[Axis capture of Tobruk|The Fall of Tobruk]] ===
Order of Battle as at 20 June 1942<ref name="Agar-Hamilton1952">{{cite book|last1=Agar-Hamilton|first1=John Augustus Ion|author-link1=John Agar-Hamilton|last2=Turner|first2=Leonard Charles Frederick|title=Crisis in the Desert, May July, 1942. [With Plates.].|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bmRfMwEACAAJ|year=1952|location=Cape Town}}</ref>{{rp|Appendix B}}

* Division troops
** [[Die Middelandse Regiment]] (Machine-gun battalion)
** 7th South African Reconnaissance Battalion
** 2nd Field Regiment, [[Natal Field Artillery]], [[South African Army Artillery Formation|South African Artillery]]
** 3rd Field Regiment, [[Transvaal Horse Artillery]], [[South African Army Artillery Formation|South African Artillery]]
** 6th Anti-Tank Battery, [[South African Army Artillery Formation|South African Artillery]]
** 2nd Light Anti-aircraft Regiment, [[South African Army Artillery Formation|South African Artillery]]
** 2nd Battery, Cape Field Artillery [[Composed of men from Umtata, Transkei]]
** 4th & 10th South African Field Companies, S A Engineers
* [[4th Infantry Brigade (South Africa)|4th South African Infantry Brigade]]
** 2nd [[Royal Durban Light Infantry]]
** [[Umvoti Mounted Rifles]]
** [[Kaffrarian Rifles|The Kaffrarian Rifles]]
** Blake Group (a composite battalion ex 1 SA Div)
* [[6th Infantry Brigade (South Africa)|6th South African Infantry Brigade]]
** 1st S.A. Police Battalion
** 2nd S.A. Police Battalion
** 2nd [[Transvaal Scottish Regiment]]

==Theatres of operation==
The theatres that the division served in were as follows:

* South Africa: 23 October 1940 to 20 April 1941
* At Sea: 20 April 1941 to 6 June 1941
* Egypt: 6 June 1941 to 22 March 1942
* Libya: 22 March 1942 to 21 June 1942

==Battles, actions and engagements==
The division took part in the following battles, actions and engagements:
*[[Bardia]]: 31 December 1941 to 2 January 1942. Some 8,000 Allied prisoners of war were freed and some 6,000 Axis prisoners were taken.
* Clayden's Trench ([[Sollum]]): 11 January 1942 to 12 January 1942
* [[Gazala]]: 26 May 1942 to 21 June 1942
* [[Tobruk]]: 20 June 1942 to 21 June 1942. The number of South African prisoners taken at Tobruk has been recorded as 10,772<ref name="Agar-Hamilton1952" />

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==Citations==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Liddell Hart|editor-first=B.H.|editor-link=Basil Liddell Hart| title=The Rommel Papers|year=1953| publisher=Collins| location=London|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IKbpngEACAAJ| isbn=9780306801570}}
{{refend}}

{{SA Army Units}}

[[Category:South African World War II divisions]]
[[Category:Infantry divisions of South Africa]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1940]]
[[Category:Military history of South Africa]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1942]]

1st Canadian Division

2025-06-02T16:01:24Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:F8CB:B7A:90A8:48D5: Removed Category:Military units and formations of the British Empire in World War II and Category:Military units and formations of Canada in World War II as already in more specific Category:Canadian World War II divisions

{{Short description|Canadian Joint Operations Command formation based in Kingston, Ontario}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = {{ubl | 1st Canadian Division | 1st Canadian Infantry Division | 1st Canadian Division}}
| native_name = {{lang|fr|1re Division du Canada}}
| image = 1 Canadian Infantry Division patch.svg
| caption = 1st Canadian Infantry Division [[formation patch]]
| dates = {{ubl | 1914–1919 | 1939–1945 | 1954–1958 | 1989–1999 | 2010–present}}
| country = Canada
| branch = {{indented plainlist|
* [[Canadian Expeditionary Force]] 1914–1919
* [[Canadian Army]] 1939–1945, 1954–1958
* Land Force Command 1989–1999, 2010–2011
* Canadian Army 2011–2015
* [[Canadian Joint Operations Command]] 2015–present
}}
| type = [[Infantry]]
| role =
| size = [[Division (military)|Division]]
| command_structure = [[Canadian Joint Operations Command]]
| current_commander = [[Brigadier-General (Canada)|BGen]] Louis Lapointe
| garrison =
| ceremonial_chief =
| colonel_of_the_regiment =
| nickname = "The Old Red Patch"
| patron =
| motto = Agile, Versatile, Ready
| colors =
| march =
| mascot =
| battles = [[World War I]]
*[[Second Battle of Ypres]]
*[[Battle of the Somme]]
*[[Battle of Vimy Ridge]]
*[[Battle of Passchendaele]]
[[World War II]]
*[[Allied invasion of Sicily]]
*[[Battle of Ortona]]
*[[Moro River campaign]]
*[[Hitler Line]]
*[[Battle of Rimini (1944)|Battle of Rimini]]
*[[Operation Chesterfield]]
*[[Western Allied invasion of Germany]]
*[[Liberation of Arnhem]]
| notable_commanders = {{plainlist|
* [[Edwin Alderson]]
* [[Arthur Currie]]
* [[Archibald Cameron Macdonell]]
* [[Andrew McNaughton]]
* [[George Pearkes]]
* [[H. L. N. Salmon|Harry Salmon]]
* [[Guy Simonds]]
* [[Chris Vokes]]
* [[Harry Wickwire Foster]]
* [[Roméo Dallaire]]
* [[David Fraser (military officer)|David Fraser]]
}}
| anniversaries =
| website = {{official URL}}
}}
The '''1st Canadian Division''' (French: {{lang|fr|1re Division du Canada}}) is a joint operational command and control formation based at [[CFB Kingston]], and falls under [[Canadian Joint Operations Command]]. It is a high-readiness unit, able to move on very short notice, and is staffed and equipped to meet Canada's military objectives to counter any potential threat.

Formed during the [[First World War]] in August 1914, the 1st Canadian Division was a formation of the [[Canadian Expeditionary Force]]. The division contained a cavalry squadron and a [[Bicycle infantry|cyclist]] company, three infantry brigades (the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigades, each of four battalions), representing all parts of Canada, three field artillery brigades (roughly equivalent to modern regiments) armed with 18-pounders and engineers, together with elements of the Army Service Corps and the Army Medical Corps. The total war establishment of the division was 17,873 all ranks, with 4,943 horses. During its service in the First World War, the division fought at [[Battle of Ypres|Ypres]], [[Battle of Festubert|Festubert]], the Somme, [[Battle of Vimy Ridge|Vimy Ridge]], Passchendaele and [[Amiens]] among other notable battles on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].

Following the war, the division was stood down, only to be re-mobilized as a formation on 1 September 1939 as the '''1st Canadian Infantry Division''' for service in the [[Second World War]]. The division was part of the Allied campaign to invade Sicily, as well as their campaign on the Italian mainland, where they are associated with such notable battles as Ortona, the Liri Valley and the Gothic Line. The division reunited with the First Canadian Army in 1945 to participate in the liberation of the Western Netherlands before the end of the war in Europe.

The division was also reactivated twice during the [[Cold War]]: from 1953 to 1958, and again from 1988 to 1992.

In 2010, the division was reactivated for a third time. While the four divisions (2nd to 5th) of the Canadian Army are responsible for command of units within their respective [[Regions of Canada|geographic regions]], the 1st Canadian Division Headquarters was formed to serve as a task-tailored, deployable joint headquarters at high readiness to command and control joint, inter-agency, multinational forces to achieve national objectives at home and abroad.

==First World War==
[[File:Canadian field comforts commission.jpg|thumb|left|Canadian field comforts commission insert found in "With the First Canadian Contingent", Canadian Government publication from 1915.]]

The First Contingent of the [[Canadian Expeditionary Force]] was raised in August 1914, shortly after the outbreak of [[the Great War]], concentrated at [[CFB Valcartier|Valcartier Camp]] in Quebec, and set off for England in the largest trans-Atlantic convoy to date two months later. Training and reorganization commenced upon arrival in the United Kingdom in October 1914, and it was not until 26 January 1915 that the division was officially organized, under the command of [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-General]] [[Edwin Alderson]], a [[British Army]] [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]]. Several units under command of the First Contingent were excluded from the divisional organization, including the 17th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), 18th Battalion, and several companies of Newfoundland soldiers (later formed into the [[Royal Newfoundland Regiment|Newfoundland Regiment]] and assigned to the [[29th Division (United Kingdom)|29th Division]]).

The division consisted originally of a cavalry squadron, cyclist company, four infantry brigades, three artillery brigades (equivalent in terms of numbers to the regiments used in the Second World War and after) armed with [[QF 18-pounder gun|18-pounders]], and divisional engineers, with supporting troops of the [[Canadian Army Service Corps]] and [[Canadian Army Medical Corps]]. The strength of the division was placed at 17,873 all ranks, with 4,943 horses. The 4th Brigade was broken up in January 1915, with one battalion (the 10th) going to the 2nd Brigade, and the other three battalions being used to form the Canadian Training Depot, ultimately being re-designated as "Reserve" Battalions. The 10th Battalion replaced the 6th Battalion (Fort Garrys), which left the 2nd Brigade to become a cavalry unit, later serving in the Canadian Cavalry Brigade.

Pioneer units were added later in the war, including the 1st Canadian Pioneer Battalion from March 1916 to February 1917, when they became the 9th Canadian Railway Battalion. The 107th Canadian Pioneer Battalion also came under command between March 1917 and May 1918, before being absorbed by the 1st Canadian Engineer Brigade.

Lieutenant-General Alderson was selected and appointed in October 1914 to command the new Canadian Division, as it was known at that time, making him the highest ranking divisional commander in the British Army. He was selected — to the relief of many — in lieu of Sir [[Sam Hughes]], who was promoted at this time by the prime minister to the rank of Major-General. It had been Hughes's wish to command the Canadians in action. Alderson, who had commanded Canadian units before, won out over three prospective Canadian appointees, who, while serving with the British Army, were still considered too inexperienced. Alderson, meanwhile, had first seen action against the Boers in 1881, and thereafter fought in [[Egypt]], the [[Sudan]] (he served with a [[Camel Corps (Gordon Relief Expedition)|Camel Corps]] in the [[Nile Expedition]] of 1884–1885) and [[Mashonaland]]. He also served throughout the [[Second Boer War|South African War]] of 1899–1902, in which he had Canadian mounted troops under his command.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

Training in the winter of 1914 was rigorous, and conditions on [[Salisbury Plain]] were harsh due to cold and rain. Alderson rejected the "shoddy" kit that was supplied from Canada including the [[Ross Rifle]] which had been adopted due to the slow rate of supply of the Lee–Enfield and which was seen as an example of Canadian nationalism.<ref>Hayes, Geoffrey; Iarocci, Andrew; and Bechthold, Mike, editors; ''Vimy Ridge: A Canadian Reassessment'', Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2007, p. 38</ref> A royal inspection of the division early in 1915 foretold a move to France.

Early in 1915, it was evident that the Canadians would soon be going to France. The division paraded in drill order for an inspection by His Majesty [[George V|King George V]]; thereafter, units boarded troop ships at [[Avonmouth Docks|Avonmouth]] and during mid-February, the entire division crossed the rough [[English Channel|Channel]] to [[Saint-Nazaire|St. Nazaire]]. After a brief period in reserve near [[Hazebrouck]], the Canadians relieved the [[7th British Division]] in the [[Fleurbaix]] sector near [[Armentières]] on 1–3 March. General Alderson then became responsible for {{convert|6400|yd|m}} of front line on the left flank of the [[First Army (United Kingdom)|First Army]] (General Sir [[Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig|Douglas Haig]]).{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

The division moved to the [[Ypres Salient]] in April, and faced its first real test during the defence of St. Julien beginning on 22 April. The Canadians withstood German attack — aided, for the first time on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]], by the use of [[Chemical weapons in World War I|poison gas]] — and finally retired to secondary positions on 26 April, where they held on until 4 May. The [[Second Battle of Ypres]], as the overall action came to be known, cost the infantry brigades some 5,506 men.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

Two weeks later, the division was in action again at [[Festubert]]. Aiding in a diversionary offensive by the British armies, the Canadians suffered 2,204 casualties for gains of only {{convert|600|yd|m}}. Another futile attack was launched at [[Givenchy-en-Gohelle]] in June 1915, after which the division moved to [[Ploegsteert]].

The Canadians began a long period of static warfare which would last them throughout the winter. In September, the arrival of the [[2nd Canadian Division]] meant that a national corps headquarters could take to the field to command the division. [[Major general|Major-General]] [[Arthur Currie]] took command of the division in September. Active operations resumed again in the spring of 1916, participating in the [[Battle of Mount Sorrel]], and then restoring the situation at Sanctuary Wood.

The [[Battle of the Somme]] opened on 1 July 1916, the [[First day on the Somme|costliest day]] in the [[history of the British Army]], with over 19,000 British soldiers killed and 38,000 wounded. The Canadian part in the battle, which was to last through to November, did not begin until September at [[Battle of Pozières]] and lasted through to October. It was on the Somme that the red patch was first worn as an identifying device—two inches by three inches and worn on both sleeves, this rectangle identified the wearer as belonging to the 1st Division. The insignia was also painted on [[Brodie helmet|steel trench helmets]], and adorned with geometric shapes of different colours to further identify the soldier's specific battery, brigade, battalion or other subunit.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

The division began to prepare for the historic assault on [[Vimy Ridge]], and took the time-honoured position of right of the line on 9 April 1917 when the corps took the ridge. Other gains were made in the days following the successful assault on the ridge, and the division participated in the battle of [[Hill 70]] in August 1917. The [[Battle of Passchendaele|Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)]] followed in mid-October, and fighting continued into November. The division served under Major-General [[Archibald Cameron Macdonell]] beginning in May; his command persisted until [[Armistice Day]].

[[File:Battle of the Canal Du Nord, 27 September - 1 October 1918 CO3289.jpg|thumb|right|Men of the 16th Infantry Battalion (Canadian Scottish) moving up to the front line near Inchy during the Canadian Corps crossing of the Canal du Nord, 27 September 1918.]]

Massive [[German spring offensive|German offensives]] came in the spring of 1918, but the [[Canadian Corps]]—now considered crack assault troops—were held in reserve for the inevitable counter-offensives. "[[Canada's Hundred Days]]"—the last 100 days of the war—were marked by several Canadian successes, at [[Battle of Amiens (1918)|Amiens]], [[Battle of Arras (1918)|Arras]] (which included the [[Drocourt-Quéant Line]]), [[Battle of the Canal du Nord|Canal du Nord]] and the [[Hundred Days Offensive|Pursuit to Mons]]. The [[armistice of 11 November 1918]] finally brought the Great War to an end.

===Infantry units===
'''1st Canadian Brigade:'''
* [[1st Canadian Battalion (Ontario Regiment), CEF]]. August 1914 – 11 November 1918;
* [[2nd Canadian Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), CEF]]. August 1914 – 11 November 1918;
* [[3rd Canadian Battalion (Toronto Regiment), CEF]]. August 1914 – 11 November 1918;
* [[4th (Central Ontario) Battalion, CEF]]. August 1914 – 11 November 1918.

'''2nd Canadian Brigade:'''
* [[5th Battalion (Western Cavalry), CEF]]. August 1914 – 11 November 1918;
* [[6th Battalion (Fort Garrys), CEF]]. August 1914 – December 1914 (Became Canadian Cavalry Depot);
* [[7th Canadian Battalion (1st British Columbia), CEF]]. August 1914 – 11 November 1918;
* [[8th Canadian Infantry Battalion (90th Regiment), CEF]]. August 1914 – 11 November 1918;
* [[10th Battalion (Canadians), CEF]]. January 1915 – 11 November 1918.

'''3rd Canadian Brigade:'''
* [[13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada), CEF]]. August 1914 – 11 November 1918.
* [[14th Battalion (Royal Montreal Regiment), CEF]]. August 1914 – 11 November 1918.
* [[15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada), CEF]]. August 1914 – 11 November 1918.
* [[16th Canadian Battalion (The Canadian Scottish), CEF]]. August 1914 – 11 November 1918.

'''4th Canadian Brigade:'''
* The brigade was dispersed in January 1915.
* [[9th Battalion, CEF]]. August 1914 – January 1915. To the [[Canadian Training Depot]].
* [[10th Battalion (Canadians), CEF]]. August 1914 – January 1915. To the 2nd Canadian Brigade.
* [[11th Battalion, CEF]]. August 1914 – January 1915. To the [[Canadian Training Depot]].
* [[12th Battalion, CEF]]. August 1914 – January 1915. To the [[Canadian Training Depot]].

'''[[Pioneer (military)|Pioneers]]:'''
* [[1st Canadian Pioneer Battalion]]. March 1916 – February 1917. Became the [[9th Canadian Railway Battalion]].
* [[107th Battalion (Winnipeg), CEF|107th Canadian Pioneer Battalion]]. March 1917 – May 1918. Absorbed by the [[1st Canadian Engineer Brigade]].

'''Attached troops:'''
* [[17th Battalion, CEF]]. August 1914 – January 1915. To the [[Canadian Training Depot]].
* [[18th Battalion, CEF|18th Battalion Canadian Infantry]]. August 1914 – September 1914. Disbanded.
* Newfoundland Companies. October 1914 – December 1914. Left the division and was made up to battalion strength. The [[Newfoundland Regiment]] then joined the [[British 29th Division]] in September 1915.

===Battles and engagements on the Western Front===
;1915
* [[Second Battle of Ypres]]
** [[Battle of Gravenstafel]] — 22–23 April
** [[Battle of St. Julien|Battle of Saint Julien]] —24 April – 4 May (see also [[Saint Julien Memorial]])
* [[Battle of Festubert]] — 15–25 May
* [[Second Battle of Givenchy]] — 15–16 June

'''1916:'''
* [[Mount Sorrel|Battle of Mount Sorrel]] — 2–13 June
* [[Battle of the Somme]]
** [[Battle of Flers-Courcelette]] — 15–22 September
** [[Battle of Thiepval]] — 26–28 September
** [[Battle of Le Transloy]] — 1–18 October
** [[Battle of the Ancre Heights]] — 1 October – 11 November

'''1917:'''
* [[Battle of Vimy Ridge]] — 9–12 April
* [[Battle of Arleux]] — 28–29 April
* [[Third Battle of the Scarpe]] — 3–4 May (including the capture of [[Fresnoy]])
* [[Battle of Hill 70]] — 15–25 August
* [[Battle of Passchendaele|Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)]] — 26 October – 10 November

'''1918:'''
* [[Battle of Amiens (1918)|Battle of Amiens]] — 8–11 August
* [[Actions round Damery]] — 15–17 August
* [[Battle of the Scarpe (1918)|Battle of the Scarpe]] — 26–30 August
* [[Battle of Arras (1917)|Battle of Arras]] — 21 August – 3 September
* [[Drocourt-Quéant|Battle of Drocourt-Quéant]] — 2–3 September
* [[Battle of the Canal du Nord]] — 27 September – 1 October
* [[Battle of Cambrai (1918)|Battle of Cambrai]] — 8–9 October
* [[Hundred Days Offensive|Pursuit to Mons]] — 10 October – 11 November
After the cessation of hostilities on 11 November 1918, the 1st Division was selected to form part of the occupation forces on the right bank of the [[Rhine]], and General [[Archibald Hayes Macdonell|MacDonnell]] took the salute on 13 December when his veterans crossed the bridge at [[Cologne]] with fixed bayonets. During April 1919, the troops embarked and returned to Canada for demobilization. The total casualties of the infantry battalions were 52,559, of which 15,055 (nearly the original strength of the entire division) were fatal.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Twenty-four soldiers of the division were awarded the [[Victoria Cross]].

==Second World War (1939–1945)==
The division was remobilized in September 1939, designated as the '''1st Canadian Division''', before Canada's formal entrance into the [[Second World War]], to be later joined by both the [[2nd Canadian Infantry Division|2nd]] and [[3rd Canadian Infantry Division]]s. The division, under the command of [[Major General]] [[Andrew McNaughton]], left [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]] from [[Pier 21]] in two heavily escorted convoys. The first departed on 10 December, three months after the declaration of war, and the second departed on 22 December 1939, with additional troops reaching [[England]] in February 1940.<ref>[https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/official-military-history-lineages/official-histories/book-1948-army-1939-1945.html Charles Perry Stacey, ''The Canadian Army 1939-1945: An Official Historical Summary'' (1948), p. 6]</ref> In 1941, the formation adopted the red rectangular battle patch insignia worn by the 1st Canadian Division in [[World War I|the Great War]].

[[File:Dominion and Empire Forces in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H952.jpg|thumb|left|[[Infantry]] and [[Universal Carrier|Bren gun carriers]] of [[The West Nova Scotia Regiment]] in training at [[Aldershot]], [[Hampshire]], [[England]], 29 February 1940.<ref>{{Cite web|title=West Nova Scotia Regiment War Diaries|url=https://www.wnsr.ca/war_diary/1940/02|website=West Nova Scotia Regiment}}</ref>]]

All elements of the division were far from completely equipped on mobilization: of the [[artillery]] and [[machine gun]]s on hand, most were obsolete, and the troops lacked steel helmets. Only gradually did a full complement of more modern weapons, equipment, and transport begin reaching the division in 1940.

Nevertheless, in the wake of the disastrous [[Battle of France]] and the withdrawal of the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]] (BEF) during the [[Dunkirk evacuation]] in May 1940, the 1st Canadian Division was ordered to France the following month. Among the infantry units that landed at [[Brest, France|Brest]] were [[The Royal Canadian Regiment]] (RCR), The [[48th Highlanders of Canada]] and [[The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment]], all part of the [[1st Canadian Infantry Brigade]]. Members of the RCR were present in France at least until 16 June, after the French capital of [[Paris]] had fallen to [[Wehrmacht|German forces]], and returned almost immediately after. The 48th's withdrawal was not without some excitement.

The division returned to England for the defence of Great Britain in the case of a [[Operation Sea Lion|German invasion]].<ref name="ISBN9780951517833">{{Cite book|title=Hayes: A History of a Kentish village|last=Wilson|first=Jean (Local Historian)|date=2012|publisher=J. Wilson|others=Woodman, Trevor, 1939-2007|isbn=9780951517833|location=Bromley|oclc=808490838}}</ref> Soon afterwards, Major General McNaughton was promoted to command of the [[British VII Corps]] (later designated the [[Canadian Corps (World War II)|Canadian Corps]]) and was succeeded by Major General [[George Pearkes]]. In January 1943, the division was redesignated "1st Canadian Infantry Division."

[[File:The Invasion of Sicily 1943 NA4491.jpg|thumb|right|Canadian troops of [[The Carleton and York Regiment]] move inland from the beaches after landing in Sicily, 13 July 1943.]]

The division transferred to the [[Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II|Mediterranean theatre]] in June 1943 where the division, now under the command of Major General [[Guy Simonds]] after Major General [[H. L. N. Salmon|Harry Salmon]] (who had taken command in September 1942) was killed in an air crash, took part in [[Allied invasion of Sicily|Operation Husky]], [[code name]] for the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[Allied invasion of Sicily|assault landing on Sicily]] on 10 July 1943, which ended after just 28 days. The division came under command of the [[British XXX Corps]], serving alongside the veteran [[51st (Highland) Division]], part of the [[British Eighth Army]], commanded by [[General (United Kingdom)|General]] [[Bernard Montgomery|Sir Bernard Montgomery]]. The campaign cost the division over 2,100 casualties, with 562 Canadians killed in action.

Soon after the conquest of Sicily, the division transferred to the [[British XIII Corps]], but now serving alongside the [[British 5th Infantry Division]] (which had also fought in Husky), then [[Allied invasion of Italy|landed in Calabria]] as part of [[Operation Baytown]] on the Italian mainland and [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|fought its way up the Italian peninsula]], advancing to the other side of the boot (the “heel”), before withdrawing from the front lines where it fought an occasional rearguard action. The division was put back into the front lines to participate in the [[Moro River Campaign]]. The division, now under Major General [[Chris Vokes]], supported by tanks of the [[1st Canadian Armoured Brigade]], took part in the [[Battle of Ortona]], fighting against [[Fallschirmjäger (World War II)|German Fallschirmjäger]]–crack air force [[paratrooper|paratroops]] of the [[1st Parachute Division (Germany)|1st Parachute Division]]–over Christmas 1943. Both sides suffered heavy losses in the fight for the town, which a reporter for [[The New York Times]] had begun calling a "miniature [[Battle of Stalingrad|Stalingrad]]", based on the ferocity of the street fighting and the heavy losses on both sides,<ref>Mark Zuehlke, ''Ortona: Canada's Epic World War II Battle'', Stoddart Press (1999) p. 289</ref> with the Canadians suffering 650 casualties, mainly in the 3rd Brigade. By 27 December, what remained of Ortona, after days of shelling and aerial bombardment, was in Canadian hands.

[[File:Ortona1.jpg|thumb|left|Infantrymen of the [[Loyal Edmonton Regiment]] and tanks from the [[Three Rivers Regiment]] during the Battle for Ortona, December 1943.]]

After this, the division was rested and many months of static warfare ensued. The division then went on to break out of the Eighth Army's [[bridgehead]] with the second wave in the spring offensive, [[Operation Diadem]], the [[Battle of Monte Cassino|Fourth Battle of Monte Cassino]]. The [[4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards]], the reconnaissance (or 'recce') regiment serving with the 1st Canadian Division, was the first of the Eighth Army's units to cross the [[Hitler Line]] in May 1944, below Pontecorvo in its armoured cars.

After heavy fighting in front of the [[Gothic Line]] throughout the summer, the 1st Canadian Infantry Division spent the next several months fighting, as it had the previous fall, for a succession of heavily defended river crossings surrounded by high ground. By the time the division reached the [[Senio]], as the icy rain began giving way to snow in the Canadian sector, a decision had been reached to transfer the entire [[I Canadian Corps]], 1st Infantry Division included, to the [[Netherlands]].<ref>{{cite video|year=1944|title=Video: Allies Set For Offensive|url=https://archive.org/details/gov.archives.arc.39141|publisher=[[Universal Newsreel]]|access-date=February 21, 2012}}</ref> By the end of March 1945, all Canadian Army units serving with [[Allied Armies in Italy|Allied Forces Mediterranean]] (formerly the [[Allied Armies in Italy]]) had been transferred to the [[Western Front (World War II)|Western Front]] and [[Operation Goldflake]], the reunion of the 1st Infantry Division and 1st Armoured Brigade and First Canadian Army, commanded by [[Lieutenant-general (Canada)|Lieutenant-General]] [[Harry Crerar]], was accomplished. The division, now under Major General [[Harry Wickwire Foster|Harry Foster]], went on to take part in the [[Western Allied invasion of Germany]], the [[Liberation of the Netherlands|liberation of a majority of the Netherlands]] including the [[liberation of Arnhem]], and the [[European theatre of World War II|war in Europe]] came to an end soon after, on 8 May 1945, [[Victory in Europe Day]]. The headquarters of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division was officially disbanded on 15 September 1945.

Three members of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division were awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] during the Italian Campaign. They were [[Captain (Canadian army and air force)|Captain]] [[Paul Triquet]] of the [[Royal 22nd Regiment|Royal 22e Régiment]], Major [[John Keefer Mahony]] of [[The Westminster Regiment]] and Private [[Ernest Smith|Ernest "Smoky" Smith]] of [[the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada]].

===Order of battle 1939–1945===
[[File:1st Canadian Infantry Division formation sign.png|thumb|right|Formation sign used to identify vehicles of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division during the war.]]
HQ
* 1st Canadian Infantry Division Defence and Employment Platoon ([[Lorne Scots]])

[[Royal Canadian Armoured Corps]]
* [[4th Reconnaissance Regiment (4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards)]]

[[Royal Canadian Artillery]]
* [[1st Field Regiment (Canada)|1st Field Regiment, R.C.H.A.]]
* [[2nd Field Artillery Regiment (Canada)|2nd Field Regiment]]
* [[3rd Field Regiment (Canada)|3rd Field Regiment]]
* [[1st Anti-Tank Regiment (Canada)|1st Anti-Tank Regiment]]
* [[2nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Canada)|2nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment]]
* 12th Canadian Meteorological Section

[[Royal Canadian Infantry Corps]]
* [[The Saskatoon Light Infantry (M.G.)]] – Machine gun battalion
* [[1st Canadian Infantry Brigade]]:
** [[The Royal Canadian Regiment]]
** [[The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment]]
** [[48th Highlanders of Canada]]
** 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon ([[Lorne Scots]])
* [[2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade]]:
** [[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]]
** [[The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada]]
** [[The Loyal Edmonton Regiment]]
** 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon ([[Lorne Scots]])
* [[3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade]]:
** [[Royal 22e Régiment|Royal 22e Régiment]]
** [[The Carleton and York Regiment]]
** [[The West Nova Scotia Regiment]]
** 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade Ground Defence Platoon ([[Lorne Scots]])

[[1st Canadian Armoured Brigade]]
* [[11th Armoured Regiment (The Ontario Regiment)]]
* [[12th Armoured Regiment (Three Rivers Regiment)]]
* [[King's Own Calgary Regiment|14th Armoured Regiment (Calgary Regiment)]]

[[Royal Canadian Corps of Signals]]
* 1st Canadian Divisional Signals

[[Royal Canadian Engineers#World War II|Royal Canadian Engineers]]
* 1st Canadian Field Company
* 3rd Canadian Field Company
* 4th Canadian Field Company
* 2nd Canadian Field Park Company
* 1st Canadian Bridging Platoon

[[Royal Canadian Army Service Corps]]
* [[41 Service Battalion|1 Canadian Infantry Brigade Company]]
* 2 Canadian Infantry Brigade Company
* 3 Canadian Infantry Brigade Company
* 1 Canadian Infantry Divisional Troops Company
* No. 83 Company – originally a part of 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, joined in 1943.

[[Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps]]
* [[No. 4 Canadian Field Ambulance]]
* [[No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance]]
* [[No. 9 Canadian Field Ambulance]]
* No. 2 Canadian Field Hygiene Section
* [[No. 2 Canadian Light Field Ambulance]] – originally a part of 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, joined in 1943.

[[Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps]]
* 1st Canadian Infantry Divisional Ordnance Field Park
* 1st Canadian Mobile Laundry and Bath Unit
* No. 1 Army Tank Brigade Sub-Park – originally a part of 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, joined in 1943.
* 1st Tank Brigade Workshop – originally a part of 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, joined in 1943.

[[Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]]
* 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade Workshop
* 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade Workshop
* 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade Workshop
* No. 1 Infantry Troops Workshop

[[Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps]]
* 1st Canadian Field Cash Office

[[Royal Canadian Postal Corps]]
* 1 Canadian Infantry Division Postal Unit

[[Royal Canadian Dental Corps]]
* 1st Canadian Dental Company

[[Canadian Provost Corps]]
* [[Canadian Provost Corps#Second World War|No. 1 Provost Company (RCMP)]]

In July 1944, the divisional reconnaissance battalion, the 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards, converted to infantry and transferred to the 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade of the [[5th Canadian Division|5th Canadian Armoured Division]], to be replaced by [[The Royal Canadian Dragoons]]. The Princess Louise returned to its original [[Mechanized infantry|mechanized role]] in Northwest Europe in March 1945, and The Royal Canadian Dragoons became the armoured car regiment of [[I Canadian Corps]].

===Commanding Officers===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Date !! General Officer Commanding<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/organization/fieldforces/casf/1stdivision.htm|title=1st Canadian Infantry Division|publisher=Canadian Soldiers|access-date=August 9, 2012 }}</ref>
|-
| 17 Oct 1939 – 19 Jul 1940 || Major-General [[Andrew McNaughton]] CB, CMG, DSO
|-
| 20 Jul 1940 – 1 Sep 1942 || Major-General [[George Pearkes]] VC, DSO, MC
|-
| 8 Sep 1942 – 29 Apr 1943 || Major-General [[H. L. N. Salmon|Harry Salmon]] MC
|-
| 29 Apr – 31 Oct 1943 || Major-General [[Guy Simonds]] CBE, DSO
|-
| 1 Nov 1943 – 30 Nov 1944 || Major-General [[Christopher Vokes]] CBE, DSO
|-
| 1 Dec 1944 – 15 Sep 1945 || Major-General [[Harry Wickwire Foster|Harry Foster]] CBE, DSO
|}

===Battles===
* [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italian Campaign]]
* [[Allied invasion of Sicily]]
* [[Allied invasion of Italy]]
* [[Moro River Campaign|The Moro River]]
* [[Motta Montecorvino]]
* [[Battle of Ortona|Ortona]]
* [[Winter Line]]
** [[Hitler Line]]
** [[Bernhardt Line]]
* [[Gothic Line]]
** [[Battle of Rimini (1944)|Rimini]]
** [[Lamone Crossing]]
* [[Western Front (World War II)|The Western Front]]
* [[Netherlands in World War II#Final year|Liberation of the Netherlands]]

==Cold War==
In the post-war reorganization of reserve units, a "Headquarters 1st Infantry Division" (later re-designated "Headquarters 1st Division") was authorized on 1 April 1946. It remained dormant, however, and was formally disbanded on 21 July 1954. In the meantime, a new Headquarters 1st Canadian Infantry Division had been authorized as part of the Canadian Army Active Force on 16 October 1953, and this headquarters was established the following December.

Major-General J.M. Rockingham, CB, CBE, DSO and bar, ED, took command of the 1st Division on 1 September 1954. His Division contained the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, stationed in Germany, the 2nd at Edmonton and the 3rd at Valcartier, with normal supporting arms and services.

The life of this division was short as on 5 December 1957, the Minister of National Defence announced in the House of Commons that the divisional headquarters would be reduced to nil strength.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Shortly thereafter, General Rockingham was transferred to Quebec Command and on 30 April 1958, the Headquarters of 1st Canadian Infantry Division was disbanded.

In 1988, a new era for the division began when the Government of Canada announced the intention to consolidate its military commitments to Europe in the Central Region.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The reformation in November 1989 followed the Canadian government's decision to end the [[Canadian Air-Sea Transportable Brigade Group]] (CAST) commitment to reinforce Northern Norway.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} [[5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group]], based in Quebec, was thus available for other tasks. The CAST rapid-reinforcement commitment had been encountering problems, most graphically demonstrated during Exercise Brave Lion in 1986, which prompted Canada to start formal consultations with NATO about consolidating the CAST Brigade and [[4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group]], based in southern Germany. The two separate forces would have meant critical logistical and medical support needs would have gone unmet in case of real war. The hole thus created by the removal of the CAST Brigade Group was filled, to a degree, by the creation of a NATO Composite Force (NCF) to which Canada promised a battalion group.

The headquarters was established, with both 4 Brigade and 5 Brigade under command, at [[Kingston, Ontario]], with a forward detachment at [[Lahr]] in Germany where 4 Brigade was based. The main headquarters was intended to move gradually from Kingston to Lahr over a period of time, though this never, in the event, took place. With the division having only two brigades, it was assumed that in wartime, either a German or US brigade would be assigned to provide the necessary third manoeuvre element.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Although during NATO command post exercises a divisional order of battle was used that nominally included the [[1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group]] as the third [[Maneuver warfare|Maneuver]] brigade, field training and exercises were conducted with this notion in mind. Some changes were necessary to the two brigades, as 5 Brigade had only three-quarters of 4 Brigade's personnel and equipment with the support organizations held at the divisional level. Once reinforcements had arrived from Canada, each brigade would have had one small armoured regiment (two squadrons, each 20 tanks), and two four-company infantry battalions. Divisional troops would have been a mix of former 4 Brigade and 5 Brigade units along with some troops from [[1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group]] in western Canada. 3rd Regiment [[Royal Canadian Horse Artillery]] was intended to have been re-equipped with the MLRS to provide general support, while a further engineer regiment, 6 Combat Engineer Regiment, was to have been formed. [[The Fort Garry Horse]] was also to have been re-formed to provide a divisional reconnaissance capability. As finally envisaged [[CENTAG wartime structure in 1989]], the division was assigned to the Central Army Group Commander's tactical reserve, performing operations in support of either II (German) Corps or [[VII Corps (United States)|VII US Corps]]. From 1988 to 1992, the Division Headquarters focused on the training of its subordinate formations culminating in the last two of the "Rendez-Vous" series of exercises in 1989 and 1992 where the division deployed to CFB Wainwright and functioned as a headquarters in the field.

As it became obvious that the Soviet threat was disappearing in the early 1990s, the future options for [[Canadian Forces Europe|Canadian forces in Europe]] were increasingly debated. While a battalion-sized remaining Canadian force was discussed, eventually it was decided that all Canadian land forces would leave Germany by 1994.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} With units disbanding around them, Division Headquarters (Forward) was repatriated to [[CFB Kingston]] on 13 June 1992, and at this time the presence of the 1st Division in Germany effectively ended. Though continuing to provide command and control capability for any multi-brigade deployment, emphasis was shifted to the joint role where the Division HQ would provide command and control of CF or multinational forces in humanitarian, UN, NATO or coalition operations. Subsequently, the successful December 1992 deployment of the Division Headquarters to Somalia in this role validated the need for this capability in the Army.

Back in Kingston, the division's aegis was reduced to two units; a new 1st Canadian Division HQ and Signals Regiment (which incorporated Division HQ) and the 1st Canadian Division Intelligence Company (1 Cdn Div Int Coy). Its new role was to be capable of deploying a land-based, Joint Task Force Headquarters at division level or a Joint Force Headquarters consisting of navy, army and air force personnel for territorial defence, contingencies and other missions including complex international scenarios. The Division HQ would train formation HQs, plan for contingencies and command assigned forces in crisis situations. The HQ had in priority, four roles operations, training, support and planning.

Headquarters 1st Canadian Division was transformed on 1 April 2000 into [[Canadian Forces Joint Headquarters]] and 1st Canadian Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment was united with [[79 Communication Regiment]] to form the [[Canadian Forces Joint Signal Regiment]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Both units, who remained headquartered in Kingston, were assigned as elements of [[Canadian Expeditionary Force Command]] as the deployable command headquarters for all large Canadian overseas deployments.

=== Division structure in 1989 ===
* '''1 Canadian Division (Forward)''', [[Canadian Forces Base Lahr]], [[Federal Republic of Germany|West Germany]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Challenge and Commitment – A Defence Policy for Canada|date=June 1987|publisher=Department of National Defence (Canada)|location=Ottawa|url=http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/dn-nd/D2-73-1987-eng.pdf|access-date=14 October 2016}}</ref>
** 1st Canadian Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment, [[Canadian Forces Base Lahr|CFB Lahr]]
** C Sqn Royal Canadian Dragoons, CFB Gagetown (25 × [[Leopard 1#Canada|Leopard C1]], 12× [[M113 armored personnel carrier|M113]], 1× [[M577]], 2 × [[Leopard 1|Bergepanzer]])
** 119 Air Defence Battery, [[Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery]], CFB Chatham (8 × [[Air Defense Anti-Tank System|ADATS]], 10 × [[Javelin (surface-to-air missile)|Javelin]], 12 × M113)
** 22 Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers, CFB Gagetown
** 1st Canadian Division Intelligence Company, CFB Kingston
** '''[[4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group|4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade]]''', CFB Lahr
*** 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron, CFB Lahr
*** [[8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's)]], CFB Lahr (77× [[Leopard 1#Canada|Leopard C1]], 20× [[Lynx reconnaissance vehicle|Lynx]], 36× [[M113 armored personnel carrier|M113]], 2× [[M577]], 6× [[Leopard 1|Bergepanzer]])
*** 1st Battalion, [[Royal 22nd Regiment|Royal 22e Régiment]], CFB Lahr (2× M577, 65× [[M113 armored personnel carrier|M113]], 11× [[Lynx reconnaissance vehicle|Lynx]], 18× M113 TUA with [[BGM-71 TOW|TOW]], 24× M125 with a [[M29 mortar|81mm mortar]])
*** 3rd Battalion, [[The Royal Canadian Regiment|Royal Canadian Regiment]], [[CFB Baden–Soellingen|CFB Baden-Söllingen]] (2× M577, 65× [[M113 armored personnel carrier|M113]], 11× [[Lynx reconnaissance vehicle|Lynx]], 18× M113 TUA with [[BGM-71 TOW|TOW]], 24× M125 with a [[M29 mortar|81mm mortar]])
*** 1st Regiment, [[Royal Canadian Horse Artillery]], CFB Lahr, (2× M577, 26× [[M109 howitzer|M109A4]], 46× M113, 24× [[M548]])
*** [[4 Engineer Support Regiment|4 Combat Engineer Regiment]], CFB Lahr (2× M577, 9× [[Leopard 1|Badger]] [[Armoured engineering vehicle|AEV]], 14× M113, 6× [[M548]], 6× [[Leopard 1|Biber]] bridgelayer)
*** [[444 Combat Support Squadron|444 Tactical Helicopter Squadron]] (detached from [[1 Canadian Air Division]]), CFB Lahr ([[Bell OH-58 Kiowa|CH136 Kiowa]], [[Bell UH-1N Twin Huey|UH1N]])
*** [[Service battalion|4 Service Battalion]], CFB Lahr (4× M113, 2× Bergepanzer, 6× [[Variants of the M113 armored personnel carrier#Canada|MTV-R]])
*** 4 Field Ambulance, CFB Lahr
*** 4 Military Police Platoon, CFB Lahr
*** 127th Air Defence Battery (detached from 4th Air Defence Regiment, [[Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery]]), CFB Lahr (12× [[Air Defense Anti-Tank System|ADATS]], 15× [[Javelin (surface-to-air missile)|Javelin]], 5× M113)
** '''[[5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group|5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade]]''', [[CFB Valcartier]]
*** 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron
*** [[12e Régiment blindé du Canada|12e Régiment blindé du Canada]], (38× [[AVGP|Cougar]], 23× Lynx)
*** 2nd Battalion, [[The Royal Canadian Regiment|Royal Canadian Regiment]], (48× [[AVGP|Grizzly]], 11× Lynx)
*** 2nd Battalion, [[Royal 22nd Regiment|Royal 22e Régiment]], (48× Grizzly, 11× Lynx)
*** 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment, (48× Grizzly, 11× Lynx)
*** [[Royal Canadian Horse Artillery|5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada]], (2× M577, 25× [[M109 howitzer|M109A4]], 46× M113, 24× [[M548]])
*** [[5 Combat Engineer Regiment]]
*** [[430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron]], ([[Bell OH-58 Kiowa|CH136 Kiowa]], [[Bell UH-1N Twin Huey|UH1N]])
*** [[5 Service Battalion]]
*** 5 Field Ambulance
*** 5 Military Police Platoon

==Reactivation==
On 19 May 2010, Chief of the Defence Staff, General [[Walt Natynczyk|Walter Natynczyk]], announced that the Canadian Forces would once again stand up the 1st Canadian Division at Kingston, Ontario.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The role of 1st Canadian Division upon reactivation was to provide the Canadian Forces with a rapidly deployable joint command and control capacity in order to allow for a comprehensive approach to operations. As planning for the revitalised Division progressed, the HQ was tasked at very short notice to deploy to Malta as a Joint Task Force Headquarters on [[Operation Mobile|Operation MOBILE]] to coordinate the evacuation of Canadians and other civilians from Libya – a successful mission where personnel from both Canada and other nations were evacuated.

1st Cdn Div HQ officially was stood up on 7 October 2010 at Kingston, with [[Minister of National Defence (Canada)|Defence Minister]] [[Peter MacKay]] acting as the reviewing officer.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Headquarters 1st Canadian Division is part of the [[Canadian Army]] administratively and remains at Canadian Forces Base Kingston using existing infrastructure and base support. [[Major General (Canada)|Major-General]] [[David Fraser (Canadian)|David Fraser]], former Commandant of the Canadian Forces College in Toronto and the first Canadian commander of the Multi-National Brigade (Regional Command (South)) in Afghanistan, was designated as the first commander of the newly reactivated 1st Canadian Division. {{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

On 1 April 2015, 1st Canadian Division was transferred from the Canadian Army to [[Canadian Joint Operations Command]].

== See also ==
* [[First Canadian Army]] (World War II)
* [[2nd Canadian Division]]
* [[3rd Canadian Division]]
* [[4th Canadian Division]]
* [[5th Canadian Division]]

==References==
'''Citations'''
{{reflist}}

'''Bibliography'''
* (2012) ''The Old Red Patch'', Department of National Defence
* {{citation |last =Boegel |first =Gary C |year =2005 |title =Boys of the Clouds: An Oral History of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=PO8NGNy-NYEC&q=1st%20Canadian%20Division&pg=PP1|publisher=Trafford |isbn=1-4120-5941-0 }}
* {{citation |last = Iarocci |first = Andrew|year =2008 |title =Shoestring Soldiers: The 1st Canadian Division at War, 1914–1915
|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=vtYitccvDCAC&q=Canadian%20History&pg=PP1|publisher=University of Toronto Press |isbn= 9780802098221 }}

==External links==
* {{official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070926225514/http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/mediawiki-1.5.5/index.php?title=1st_Canadian_Division 1st Canadian Division at www.canadiansoldiers.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130524060345/http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=4410 Canadian Army News, 19 May 2010]
* [http://army.ca/info/1div.php 1st Canadian Infantry Division Units]
* [http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/lac-bac/results/arch?form=arch_adv&lang=eng&FormName=MIKAN+Advanced+Search&PageNum=1&SortSpec=score+desc&HighLightFields=title%2Cname&Language=eng&QueryParser=lac_mikan&Sources=mikan&Archives=&ShowForm=show&SearchIn_1=findingAidNumber&SearchInText_1=9-52&Operator_1=AND&SearchIn_2=&SearchInText_2=1st+canadian+division&Operator_2=AND&SearchIn_3=&SearchInText_3=&Media%5B%5D=800&Level=&MaterialDateOperator=after&MaterialDate=&DigitalImages=1&Source=&cainInd=&ResultCount=10 War Diaries of the Division] on the Archives Canada website. 

{{Infantry Division of Canada}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Canadian Division 01}}
[[Category:Infantry divisions of Canada|01]]
[[Category:Divisions of Canada in World War I|01 Division]]
[[Category:Canadian World War II divisions|01 Division]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1914]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1919]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1939]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1954]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1958]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1989]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1999]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 2010]]
[[Category:1914 establishments in Canada]]
[[Category:1914 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:1919 disestablishments in Canada]]
[[Category:1939 establishments in Canada]]

39th Infantry Division (India)

2025-06-02T15:45:24Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:F8CB:B7A:90A8:48D5: Removed Category:Military units and formations of the British Empire in World War II as already in more specific Category:Indian World War II divisions

{{for|the World War I formation|Burma Division}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 39th Indian Infantry Division
| abbreviation =
| image =
| caption =
| dates = 14 July 1941–1945 1966-date
| country = {{flagicon|British Raj}} [[British Raj|British India]] {{flag|India}}
| branch = [[File:British Raj Red Ensign.svg|26px]] [[British Indian Army]] {{army|India}}
| type = Infantry
| role =
| size = [[Division (military)|Division]]
| command_structure =
| equipment = 
| Past Commanders =
| Current commander =
| ceremonial_chief =
| colonel_of_the_regiment =
| notable_commanders = Major General [[James Bruce Scott]]
| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_2 = 
| nickname = Dah Division<ref name="DE">{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/dah-division-celebrates-raising-day/|title=DAH Division celebrates Raising Day|date=2018-07-16|access-date=2021-09-24}}</ref>
| patron =
| motto = ‘Daring and Hardy’<ref name="DE"/>
| colors =
| march =
| mascot =
| battles = {{Tree list}}
*[[World War II]]
**[[Burma Campaign]]
***[[Battle of Yenangyaung]]
*[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
{{tree list/end}}
| anniversaries =
| decorations =
| battle_honours =
}}

'''39th Indian Infantry Division''' (originally the 1st Burma Division) was an infantry division of the [[Indian Army during World War II]], which became a training [[Division (military)|division]] in 1943 after its recovery into [[India]] from [[Burma]]. The division was re-raised after independence and '''39 Mountain Division''' is presently located in [[Palampur, Himachal Pradesh]] under [[XVI Corps (India)|XVI Corps]].

==History==
The 1st Burma Infantry Division was formed 14 July 1941 at Toungoo in Burma. The division was part of the British Burma Army.

On the outbreak of war, the division was commanded by Major-General [[James Bruce Scott]]. It consisted of the [[1st Burma Infantry Brigade|1st]] and [[2nd Burma Infantry Brigade]]s, and the [[13th Indian Infantry Brigade]]. Throughout the [[Japanese conquest of Burma]], the division interchanged many units with its fellow [[Burma Corps]] component, [[17th Indian Infantry Division]]. At various times the [[7th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|7th Armoured Brigade]], [[16th Indian Infantry Brigade]], [[48th Indian Infantry Brigade]], and [[63rd Indian Infantry Brigade]] came under command of the division, though only the original three brigades finally entered India as part of the division at the end of the arduous retreat, reduced to fractions of their original strength.

The 1st Burma Division changed to an Indian formation at the end of the 1942 campaign. While the majority of the Burma Army was reconstituted elsewhere in India, the division headquarters was retained at the front.

The 39th division was soon re-roled as a light division with two infantry brigades and Mule and jeep transport companies. However this change happened more in name than in anything else as it never actually began to convert to an entirely mule and jeep based transport and supply system.

The decision to convert the division to a training role was undertaken in June 1943<ref name="Kempton137">Kempton, p. 137</ref> after the poorly executed Arakan offensive when it was realised that the troops being sent into the field, both British and Indian, while not lacking conventional military fighting skills, lacked the necessary knowledge and training to operate in the Burmese jungle. The 39th was joined in its training role by the [[14th Indian Infantry Division]] which had been the main operational unit during the Arakan offensive and had suffered badly both in terms of casualties and morale as a result.

Post World War II, the division was disbanded between January and March 1946 as part of the demobilisation policy.

==Formation==

===[[106th Indian Infantry Brigade]]===
*2nd Battalion, [[Duke of Wellington's Regiment]]
*2nd Battalion, [[7th Rajput Regiment]]
*1st Battalion, [[9th Jat Regiment]]
*1st Battalion, [[8th Gurkha Rifles]]
*5th Battalion, [[19th Hyderabad Regiment]]
*7th Battalion, [[15th Punjab Regiment]]
*9th Battalion, [[16th Punjab Regiment]]
*15th Battalion, [[14th Punjab Regiment]]

===[[113th Indian Infantry Brigade]]===
*1st Battalion, [[18th Royal Garhwal Rifles]]
*2nd Battalion, [[King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry]]
*5th Battalion, [[1st Punjab Regiment]]
*2nd Battalion, [[13th Frontier Force Rifles]]
*29th Gurkha Rifles Training Battalion
*7th Battalion, [[9th Jat Regiment]]
*7th Battalion, [[12th Frontier Force Regiment]]
*17/18th Combined Training Unit
*[[Indian State Forces]] Training Unit

===Divisional troops===
*7th Battalion, [[10th Baluch Regiment]]
*2nd Battalion, [[Duke of Wellington's Regiment]]
*24th Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Regiment [[Royal Artillery]]
*9th Field Regiment Royal Artillery
*[[145th (Berkshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery]]
*Malerkotla Field Company, [[Indian State Forces]]
*26th Field Company, [[Indian Engineers]]
*82nd Field Company, Indian Engineers

==Assigned brigades==
All these brigades were assigned or attached to the division at some time during World War II

===Under command when Burma Division===
*[[1st Burma Infantry Brigade]] (July 1941 - May 1942)
*[[2nd Burma Infantry Brigade]] (July 1942 - December 1942, March 1942 - April 1942)
*[[13th Indian Infantry Brigade]] (July 1941 - February 1942, April 1942 - May 1942)
*[[48th Indian Infantry Brigade]] (April 1942)
*[[7th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|7th Armoured Brigade]] (April 1942)
*[[63rd Indian Infantry Brigade]] (May 1942)<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2009-10-22|publisher=Order of Battle|title=1 Burma Division units|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=6002&Tab=Sub|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120603185348/http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=6002&Tab=Sub|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-06-03}}</ref>
*Magforce (ad hoc brigade-sized combat force) (April 1942)<ref>Kempton, p. 145</ref>

===Attached when light division===
*[[106th Indian Infantry Brigade]]
*[[113th Indian Infantry Brigade]]<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2009-10-22|publisher=Order of Battle|title=39 Division units|url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=6017&Tab=Sub|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120603185403/http://www.ordersofbattle.com/UnitData.aspx?UniX=6017&Tab=Sub|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-06-03}}</ref>

===Attached when a training division===
*[[106th Indian Infantry Brigade]] (June 1942 - March 1946)
*[[113th Indian Infantry Brigade]] (June 1942 - March 1946)
*[[115th Indian Infantry Brigade]] (September 1943 - March 1946)<ref name="Kempton137"/>

==Post independence==
[[File:Dah Division celebrated 70th 'Infantry Day' at Palampur.jpg|thumb|Dah Division celebrates 70th 'Infantry Day' at Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, October 2017]]
The 39 Infantry Division was re-raised at [[Jhansi]] under the command of Major General ML Thapan on 15 July 1966.<ref name="DE"/> At formation, the division had an independent parachute brigade and an artillery brigade. The '''87 Infantry Brigade''' (Shakargarh Brigade) and '''323 Infantry Brigade''' (Dalhousie Brigade) joined the division in January 1966. The Parachute Brigade was replaced by the '''33 Infantry Brigade''' (Thanpir Brigade) in October 1967. The division moved from Jhansi to [[Yol, Himachal Pradesh]] in March 1970 and was converted to a mountain division in January 1986.<ref name="GJ">{{cite web|url=https://samsshopping.com/product/39-mountain-division/|title=39 Mountain Division Golden Jubilee|date=2015-10-03|access-date=2021-09-24}}</ref> The division was moved to [[Poonch district, India|Poonch]] and [[Rajouri district|Rajouri]] border districts in 1994 following the [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|rise of terrorism]] in the state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. It was withdrawn to its base in Palampur in Himachal Pradesh in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-army-s-39-mountain-division-withdrawn-from-jammu-and-kashmir-1320782|title=Army's 39 Mountain Division withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir|date=2009-12-09|access-date=2021-09-25}}</ref> The division presently has the following brigades -
*33 Mountain Brigade at [[Dharamshala]]
*87 Mountain Brigade at [[Udhampur]]
*323 Mountain Brigade at [[Dalhousie Cantonment]]
*39 Mountain Artillery Brigade at Alhilal

===Operations===
;Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The division was under the command of Major General BR Prabhu during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|1971 war]]. It was initially placed under the [[XV Corps (India)|XV Corps]] in a defensive role. It then moved to [[I Corps (India)|I Corps]] in the Shakargarh sector. Its task was to move along the Mawa-Dehlra axis and capture Shakargarh. The division had shed two of its three integral brigades and was allotted 72 Infantry Brigade from 36 Infantry Division, 2 Independent Armoured Brigade (less one regiment) and one mechanised battalion. 33 Infantry Division was sent to reinforce [[Poonch district, India|Poonch]] and 323 Infantry Division to 'X Sector' west of Degh Nadi.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rao|first=KVK|title=Prepare or Perish: A Study of National Security|publisher=Lancer Publishers|date=1991|isbn=978-8172120016|page=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Sukhwant|title=India's Wars Since Independence|volume=1|date=1980|publisher=Vikas|page=|isbn=978-0-7069-1057-5}}</ref>{{page needed|date=January 2022}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.claws.in/images/journals_doc/SW%20J.7-22.pdf|title=War in the Western Theatre|access-date=2021-07-25}}</ref>

The order of battle of the division was<ref name="Gill 2003">{{cite book|last=Gill|first=JH|title=An Atlas Of 1971 India Pakistan War - Creation of Bangladesh|date=2003|publisher=National Defense University, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies|page=86}}</ref><ref name="Jagjit">{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Jagjit|title=Indian Gunners at War: The Western Front 1971|date=1994|publisher= Spantech & Lancer|isbn=978-1897829554|page=}}</ref> -
*'''87 Infantry Brigade''' (moved to 36 Division after 12 December 1971)
**3/[[9th Gorkha Rifles|9 Gorkha Rifles]]
*'''72 Infantry Brigade''' (from 36 Infantry Division) (Brigadier JM Vohra)
**1 [[Mahar Regiment|Mahar]] (from 115 Brigade of 36 Infantry Division)
**15 [[The Grenadiers|Grenadiers]]
**22 [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab]]
**3 [[Sikh Light Infantry]]
*'''2 Independent Armoured Brigade''' (Brigadier RN Thumby)
**[[1st Horse (Skinner's Horse)]]
**[[7th Light Cavalry|7 Light Cavalry]]
**[[14 Horse (Scinde Horse)]]
**1 [[Dogra Regiment|Dogra]] (Mechanised)
**91 Independent Reconnaissance Squadron (from 14 Horse)
*'''39 Artillery Brigade''' (Brigadier Gurbachan Singh)
**[[92 Field Regiment (India)|92 Field Regiment]]
**[[101 Field Regiment (India)|101 Field Regiment (Self Propelled)]]
**[[36 Medium Regiment (India)|36 Light Regiment]] (less a battery)
**186 Light Regiment (less a battery)
**[[77 Field Regiment (India)|77 Medium Regiment]] (one battery)
**45 AD Regiment (one troop)

The divisional offensive started on the morning of 5 December 1971, with [[92 Field Regiment (India)|92 Field Regiment]] knocking out the Pakistani Artillery Observation Post (OP) at Sukhmal. At night, 72 Infantry Brigade captured the Pakistani border posts. They faced heavy artillery fire, slowing the advance. 1 Dogra came in contact with the enemy at Harar Kalan on the noon of 7 December 1971. The battalion launched a frontal attack the same night, but faced heavy enemy fire leading to 25 killed and 65 wounded and the attack was called off. During the same time, 15 Grenadiers, 22 Punjab and 3 Sikh Light Infantry captured Khaira, Chak Amru and Parni respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/himachaltribune/major-jaswal-the-hero-of-chak-amru-829287|title=Major Jaswal — The hero of Chak Amru|date=2019-09-07|access-date=2021-07-25}}</ref> The setback at Harar Kalan though affected the division’s speed of advance.<ref name="Jagjit"/>

72 Infantry Brigade with better preparation and planning and supported well by the artillery subsequently attacked and captured Harar Kalan on the night of 10 December 1971. At the same time, 15 Grenadiers, 22 Punjab and 3 Sikh Light Infantry captured Harar Khurd, Shahbazpur and Munam respectively.<ref name="Jagjit"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2016/feb16-16/h16.htm|title=Golden Jubilee of 15 Grenadiers|date=2016-02-16|access-date=2021-09-26}}</ref>

Because of the slow advance of the division compared to the [[54th Infantry Division (India)|54 Infantry Division]], there was a change in strategy and regrouping of forces. The division was assigned a defensive role in the Ramgarh-Samba gap. 87 Infantry Brigade, Headquarters 2 Independent Armoured Brigade and 1 Horse were moved to reinforce 36 Infantry Brigade. 72 Infantry Brigade and 7 Light Cavalry were moved to form the fourth brigade under 54 Infantry Division.<ref name="Jagjit"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/battle-of-basantar-1971-war/|title=Battle of Basantar 1971 War|date=2021-09-07|access-date=2021-07-25}}</ref>

101 Field Regiment (Self Propelled) which had provided accurate and effective artillery fire during the offence was subsequently awarded the honour title ''Harar Kalan''.<ref name="Jagjit"/>
;[[Operation Brasstacks|Operation Trident]]
January to March 1987.<ref name="GJ"/>
;[[Indian Army operations in Jammu and Kashmir|Operation Rakshak I]]
The division was involved in [[counterinsurgency]] operations in South [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Kashmir]] between April 1993 and January 1994.<ref name="GJ"/>
;[[Indian Army operations in Jammu and Kashmir|Operation Rakshak II]]
The troops of the division were inducted for counterinsurgency operations in [[Poonch district, India|Poonch]] and [[Rajouri district|Rajouri]] in October 1998.<ref name="GJ"/>
[[File:Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2019.jpg|thumb|Exercise Nomadic Elephant 2019 between India and Mongolia at [[Bakloh]], Himanchal Pradesh under the aegis of Dah Division, October 2019]]
;[[Kargil War|Operation Vijay]]
The division was concentrated around Rajouri between May 1999 and December 2001.<ref name="GJ"/>
;[[2001–2002 India–Pakistan standoff|Operation Parakram]]
The division was mobilised for the operation on 18 December 2001 in the Rajouri area.<ref name="GJ"/>
;Counter-terrorism operations
The division was deployed in [[Udhampur district]] between April 2002 and June 2003.<ref name="GJ"/>
;[[Line of Control]] deployment
The formation was deployed in counter-infiltration role at the Line of Control (LoC) between July 2003 and September 2009.<ref name="GJ"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/article30220480.ece|title=Not all quiet on the border|date=2004-01-02|access-date=2021-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/2008/04/08/no-infiltration-in-last-6-months-from-loc-in-jammu-goc-39-mtn-div-1207665344.html|title=No infiltration in last 6 months from LoC in Jammu: GOC 39 Mtn Div|date=2008-04-08|access-date=2021-07-25}}</ref>

==Formation Sign==
The present formation sign has a black background signifying an infantry division and a ''[[Dha (sword)|Dah]]'' - a sharp edged sword.<ref name="GJ"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
*{{cite book| first=Chris| last=Kempton| title='Loyalty & Honour' The Indian Army September 1939 - August 1947, Part I: Divisions| location=Milton Keynes| publisher=The Military Press| isbn=0-85420-228-5| year=2003}}

==External links==
*[https://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/docs-india-1930-1947-central-command-india/ 39 Indian Infantry Division at BritishMilitaryHistory]

{{Indian Divisions in World War II}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:39 Indian Infantry Division}}
[[Category:Indian World War II divisions]]
[[Category:British Indian Army divisions]]
[[Category:Divisions of the Indian Army]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of Burma in World War II]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1941]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945]]