7th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military unit

The 7th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the British Army, first established by The Duke of Wellington as part of the Anglo-Portuguese Army for service in the Peninsular War, and was active also during the First World War from 1914 to 1919, and briefly in the Second World War in 1939.

Peninsular War

During the French Revolutionary Wars and early in the Napoleonic Wars, the largest permanent organised structure within the British Army was the brigade. The brigade, which consisted of two or more battalions grouped together under the command of a major-general, suited the small size of the army and the operations that it conducted. When needed, larger forces were organised on an ad hoc basis. This included multiple brigades grouped into 'lines' or 'columns'. As the army and its operations grew, it implemented divisions—a single formation of two or more brigades, usually commanded by a lieutenant-general. The division concept was not new and had been used by other European armies towards the end of the Seven Years' War (1756–1763). On 18 June 1809, Lieutenant-General Arthur Wellesley, commander of British forces in Spain and Portugal during the Peninsular War, reorganised his force into four divisions.Template:Sfn The following year, with the further expansion of his force, Wellington created the 7th Division. It consisted of British, German, Portuguese, and French troops. Due to the mixture of nationalities as well as line and light regiments, the division had a multitude of uniforms. This coined the nickname of The Mongrels.Template:Sfn

The division was present at the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro the Battle of Vitoria the Battle of the Pyrenees the Battle of Nivelle the Battle of the Nive and the Battle of Orthez.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Second Boer War

The 7th Division was re-activated during the Second Boer War. The division took part in the Battle of Poplar Grove (March 1900) and the following occupation of Bloemfontein, then took part in Lord Roberts′ march to Pretoria.<ref>Template:Cite newspaper The Times</ref>

First World War

File:The Battle of the Somme, July-november 1916 Q1393.jpg
Column of the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders marching to the trenches along the Becordel–Fricourt road, France, October 1916.

The 7th Division was a Regular Army formation that was formed in September 1914 by combining units returning from garrison outposts in the British Empire at the outbreak of the First World War the previous month.<ref name = Becke>Becke (1934) pp. 81–7</ref><ref name = Trail>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During the war, the division fought in the First Battle of Ypres, the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the Battle of Aubers Ridge, the Battle of Festubert, the Battle of Loos, the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Passchendaele, and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto.<ref name = Trail/>

The division landed at Zeebrugge in Belgium on 6 October 1914 in an attempt to support the Belgian Army's defence of Antwerp, but was soon forced to retreat south-west as that city fell a few days later. It then played a crucial part in the stabilisation of the front during the First Battle of Ypres, preventing a German breakthrough, although at a high cost in terms of casualties.<ref>Lomas D. (1999) First Ypres 1914: Graveyard of the Old Contemptibles, Campaign Book 58. Osprey Publishing Ltd., Oxford: Template:ISBN 96 pp.</ref> A floating division, the 7th was the first British Division to enter Ypres on 14 October. It was ordered to hold the line, while Field Marshal French brought up his remaining six divisions and redeployed them from the Aisne to the sea. The division held an 8 mile front for two weeks, opposite some 340,000 Germans. Some 18,000 soldiers strong on 15 October, the 7th left the line on 31 October, with just 2,000 troops remaining, mostly transport and supply.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The 7th Division fought in most of the major battles on the Western Front through to 1917 before being sent to the Italian Front for the remainder of the war. At the battle of Loos in late 1915, the division's General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major-General Thompson Capper, was killed in action at the height of the fighting. Unlike the first six regular divisions of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF), a third of whose strength was made up of regular reservists, the 7th Division was originally composed entirely of serving regular soldiers, which gave rise to the division's nickname, 'The Immortal Seventh'.<ref name = Trail/>

Arab Revolt

In 1936, the Arab Revolt broke out in the British Mandate of Palestine.Template:Sfn British troops were dispatched, ending the first phase of the war by the close of the year.Template:Sfn Fighting soon resumed and reached its zenith during the summer of 1938. With rising tensions in Europe, the British began to withdraw troops from Palestine for use elsewhere.Template:Sfn The conclusion of the Munich Agreement—on 30 September 1938—calmed the rising tensions in Europe and averted war, allowing the British to resume their military build-up in Palestine.Template:Sfn

The 7th Division was reformed the following month, and placed under the command of Major-General Richard O'Connor.<ref name="The Times">Template:Cite news</ref> The division was deployed to Palestine on internal security duties as part of a build-up of 18,500 men in the region.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn This force then began to suppress the revolt. Meanwhile, Palestinian guerrillas had overrun the Old City of Jerusalem. O'Connor's men proceeded to sweep the area, declaring the Old City free of militants on 19 October. The same day, the division seized Acre and by the end of the month were clearing Jaffa of rebels.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Many Palestinians were detained and rebel activity significantly dropped off in the area.Template:Sfn In the north, the 8th Infantry Division, under Major-General Bernard Montgomery, and Special Night Squads engaged in counter-terror operations, with O'Connor writing that one brigadier "always encouraged his men to be brutal". General Officer Commanding (GOC) British Forces in Palestine and Trans-Jordan Robert Haining wrote in late 1938 that "unnecessary violence, vindictiveness ..., [and] killing in cold blood" had to be curbed. O'Connor was likewise opposed to the measures in the north, and wrote "harshness and unnecessary violence on the part of our soldiers" had to be curbed.Template:Sfn During the operation in Jerusalem, only four to nineteen guerrillas were killed.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn In early 1939, the revolt finally came to an end.Template:Efn

Second World War

On 31 August, just prior to the war beginning, the headquarters of the 7th Infantry Division relinquished command of all its troops. O'Connor and the divisional staff then left Jerusalem bound for Cairo, Egypt. From Cairo, the men moved forward to Mersa Matruh arriving on 7 September. The headquarters was then assigned all troops based there, with the exception of the 7th Armoured Division.Template:Sfn The British Official Historian, I. S. O. Playfair, comments that this decision was undertaken to relieve the burden on Lieutenant-General Henry Maitland Wilson, GOC British Troops in Egypt, of "direct control of operations which had been his in addition to the command of all troops in Egypt".Template:Sfn Due to the logistical problems in maintaining substantial forces across the Western Desert and on the Libya–Egypt border, Mersa Matruh was the forward British base of operations and supplied by rail. Positioned Template:Convert west of Alexandria and Template:Convert from the border, the location had been chosen to shield forward Royal Air Force (RAF) landing strips behind it and to defend the Nile Delta. Mersa Matruh also offered the British the strategy of drawing Italian or other forces forward to them, to allow a counter-attack after they ran into supply difficulties.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn On 3 November, the division was renamed the 6th Infantry Division.Template:Sfn

General officers commanding

Template:See also

Template:Sronly
Appointment date Rank General officer commanding Notes Source(s)
Template:Dts Major-General Template:Sortname The division was formed in Portugal, for service in the Peninsular War. Template:Sfn
Template:Dts Major-General Template:Sortname Temporary commander; relinquished position due to ill health in October Template:Sfn
Template:Dts Lieutenant-General Template:Sortname Template:Sfn
Template:Dts Major-General Template:Sortname Template:Sfn
Template:Dts Major-General Template:Sortname Template:Sfn
Template:Dts Lieutenant-General Template:Sortname Template:Sfn
Template:Dts Major-General Template:Sortname Template:Sfn
Template:Dts Major-General Template:Sortname Temporary commander; relinquished position on 27 February 1814 Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
February/March 1814 Major-General Template:Sortname At the conclusion of the Peninsular War, in 1814, the division was disbanded in France. The final troops departed in June. Template:Sfnm
24 August 1815 Major-General Template:Sortname The division was merged into the Army of Occupation in France on 30 November. Template:Sfn
December 1899 Lieutenant-General Template:Sortname The division was mobilized in the United Kingdom for service in the Second Boer War. Tucker maintained command through to the end of 1900 when, while still in southern Africa, the division was broken-up. <ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>Template:Sfnm
23 June 1902 Major-General Template:Sortname The division was reformed in Ireland. Morton died in office <ref>Template:London Gazette and Template:London Gazette</ref>
30 April 1906 Major-General Template:Sortname In 1907, the division was renumbered as the 5th Division <ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>Template:Sfn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}} and {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

27 August 1914 Major-General Template:Sortname The division was formed in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, for service in the First World War. Capper was wounded in action on 1 April 1915. Template:Sfn
6 April 1915 Brigadier-General Template:Sortname Acting commander Template:Sfn
19 April 1915 Major-General Template:Sortname Template:Sfn
14 July 1915 Brigadier-General Template:Sortname Acting commander Template:Sfn
19 July 1915 Major-General Template:Sortname Capper died of his wounds on 27 September 1915 Template:Sfn
26 September 1915 Brigadier-General Template:Sortname Acting commander Template:Sfn
27 September 1915 Major-General Template:Sortname Template:Sfn
7 January 1917 Major-General Template:Sortname Template:Sfn
1 April 1917 Major-General Template:Sortname Left division on sick leave on 9 February 1918 Template:Sfn
9 February 1918 Brigadier-General Template:Sortname Acting commander Template:Sfn
22 March 1918 Major-General Template:Sortname The division demobilised in Italy, following the conclusion of hostilities in 1919. Template:Sfnm
29 September 1938 Major-General Template:Sortname The division was reformed in Palestine, for service during the Arab revolt. The division was renumbered as the 6th Infantry Division on 3 November 1939. <ref name="The Times"/>Template:Sfn<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

Victoria Cross recipients

Template:See also

Date of action Rank Name Unit Place of action Country of action Sources

+Template:Sronly

23 October 1914 Drummer Template:Sortname Gordon Highlanders Ypres Belgium Template:Sfn<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>
29 October 1914 Lieutenant Template:Sortname Gordon Highlanders Gheluvelt Belgium Template:Sfn<ref name=16Feb1915Gazette>Template:London Gazette</ref>
7 November 1914 Captain Template:Sortname South Staffordshire Regiment Zillebeke Belgium Template:Sfn<ref name=16Feb1915Gazette/>
19 December 1914 Private Template:Sortname Scots Guards Rouges Bancs France Template:Sfn<ref name=16Feb1915Gazette/>
21 December 1914 Private Template:Sortname Border Regiment Rouges Bancs France Template:Sfn<ref name=16Feb1915Gazette/>
21 December 1914 Private Template:Sortname Border Regiment Rouges Bancs France Template:Sfn<ref name=16Feb1915Gazette/>
12 March 1915 Captain Template:Sortname Bedfordshire Regiment Neuve Chapelle France Template:Sfn<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>
12 March 1915 Corporal Template:Sortname Green Howards Neuve Chapelle France Template:Sfn<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>
12 March 1915 Private Template:Sortname Grenadier Guards Neuve Chapelle France Template:Sfn<ref name=16Apr1915Gazette>Template:London Gazette</ref>
12 March 1915 Lance-Corporal Template:Sortname Grenadier Guards Neuve Chapelle France Template:Sfn<ref name=16Apr1915Gazette/>
12 June 1915 Lance-Corporal Template:Sortname Highland Light Infantry Givenchy France Template:Efn
16 May 1915 Company Sergeant-Major Template:Sortname Royal Welsh Fusiliers Festubert France Template:Sfn<ref name=29Jun1915Gazette>Template:London Gazette</ref>
25 September 1915 Private Template:Sortname Royal Warwickshire Regiment Hulloch France Template:Sfn<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>
20 July 1916 Private Template:Sortname Devonshire Regiment High Wood France Template:Sfn<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

Orders of battle

Peninsular War

During this period, brigades were referred to by their commander's names. Due to changes in command, the brigade names fluctuated frequently.

7th Division (1811–1814)Template:Sfn

Division's first brigade:

Division's second brigade:

Portuguese brigade (attached):

  • 7th Line Regiment
  • 19th Line Regiment
  • 2nd Caçadores

Militia brigade (attached 1814, but arrived after the Peninsular War had drawn to a close)Template:Efn

Second Boer War

7th Division (1899–1900)Template:Sfnm

14th Brigade

15th Brigade

Divisional artillery, Royal Field Artillery

  • 18th Field Battery
  • 62nd Field Battery
  • 75th Field Battery
  • Ammunition column
  • 83rd Field Battery (during the course of 1900, the above three batteries were replaced by these three)
  • 84th Field Battery
  • 85th Field Battery

Divisional Cavalry

Royal Engineers

First World War

7th Division (1914–1918)Template:Sfn

20th Brigade

21st Brigade (until 19 December 1915)

22nd Brigade

91st Brigade (from 20 December 1915)

Divisional Mounted Troops

  • 1st Northumberland Hussars (On 12 April 1915, two of the three squadrons were transferred to other formations leaving the 7th Division with just A Squadron. A Squadron left on 13 May 1916)
  • 7th Cyclist Company (until 11 May 1916)

Divisional Artillery

  • XIV Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery (left 10 February 1917)
    • C Battery (until 19 October 1914)
    • F Battery
    • T Battery (from 21 December 1914)
    • XIV RHA Brigade Ammunition Column
    • D (Howitzer) Battery, Royal Field Artillery (RFA) (from 24 June 1915, until 20 December 1915)
    • 509th (Howitzer) Battery, RFA (from 7 October 1916, until 13 February 1917)
  • XXII Brigade, RFA
    • 104th Battery
    • 105th Battery
    • 106th Battery
    • XXII Brigade Ammunition Column
    • 35th (Howitzer) Battery (from 17 May 1916)
  • XXXV Brigade, RFA
    • 12th Battery
    • 25th Battery
    • 58th Battery
    • XXXV Brigade Ammunition Column
    • 31st (Howitzer) Battery (from 17 May 1916)
  • XXXVII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA (from 24 June 1915, broken up 17 May 1916)
    • 31st (Howitzer) Battery
    • 35th (Howitzer) Battery
    • XXVII (Howitzer) Brigade Ammunition Column
  • III Heavy Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery (until 4 March 1915)
    • 111 Heavy Battery
    • 112 Heavy Battery
    • Heavy Battery ammunition columns
  • 7th divisional ammunition column (until 16 May 1916)
  • No. 7 Pom-Pom Section (A.–A.) (from 25 September 1914, until 20 December 1914)
  • 5th Mountain Battery (from 26 March 1915, until 20 April 1915)
  • Medium Trench Mortars, Royal Field Artillery
    • X Battery (formed 25 February 1916)
    • Y Battery (formed March 1916)
    • Z Battery (formed March 1916, until 22 February 1918 when it was dispersed to X and Y batteries)
  • Heavy Trench Mortars, Royal Field Artillery
    • V Battery (formed June 1916, disbanded 12 November 1917)

Divisional Engineers, Royal Engineers

  • 54th Field Company
  • 55th Field Company (until 1 September 1915)
  • 95th Field Company (from 30 August 1915)
  • 2nd Highland Field Company (from 17 January 1915, until 24 January 1916)
  • 3rd Durham Field Company (from 30 January 1916; later renumbered 528th (3rd Durham) Field Company, and then 528th Field Company)
  • 7th Divisional Signal Company

Pioneers

  • 24th (Service) Battalion, Manchester Regiment (from 22 May 1916)

Divisional Machine Guns

  • 220th Machine Gun Company (from 25 March 1917)
  • No. 7 Battery, Machine Gun Corps (formed on 1 April 1918 by merger of brigade and the 220th Machine Gun Companies)

Divisional Medical Services, Royal Army Medical Corps

  • 21st Field Ambulance
  • 22nd Field Ambulance
  • 23rd Field Ambulance

Divisional Veterinary Services, Army Veterinary Corps

  • 12th Mobile Veterinary Section (from 16 September 1914, although did not move to France until 7 October 1914)

Divisional Services

  • 7th Divisional Train, Army Service Corps
    • 39th Company
    • 40th Company
    • 42nd Company
    • 86th Company
  • 12th Divisional Employment Company, Labour Corps (from 21 May 1917, renumbered 210th in June 1917)

Arab Revolt

7th Division (1938–1939)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

18th Infantry Brigade

19th Infantry Brigade

Divisional troops

See also

Template:Portal

Notes

Footnotes Template:Notelist Citations Template:Reflist

References

Template:Refbegin

Template:Refend

Further reading

Template:Refbegin

Template:Refend

External sources

Template:Refbegin

Template:Refend

Template:British Army Divisions

Retrieved from "https://wiki.sarg.dev/index.php?title=7th_Infantry_Division_(United_Kingdom)&oldid=348010"