15th Infantry Division (India)

June 2015 May 2026 15th Indian Division Formation Badge of the 15th Infantry Division 7 May 1916 – March 19191 October 1964 – present British India 23pxIndia India British India 23px24px Indian Army Infantry Division Panther Division World War I Mesopotamian campaign Capture of Ramadi Action of Khan Baghdadi Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Major General H T BrookingMajor General Mohinder Singh MVCMajor General BM Bhattacharjee PVSM, MVC The 15th Indian Division was an infantry division of the British Indian Army that saw active service in the First World War. It served in the Mesopotamian campaign on the Euphrates Front throughout its existence. It did not serve in the Second World War,Kempton 2003a i but was reformed at Dehradun in 1964 as part of the post-independence Indian Army. History right|thumb|300px|The 2nd Battalion, 6th Gurkha Rifles of 42nd Indian Brigade march towards the action of Khan Baghdadi World War I The division was formed on 7 May 1916 to replace the 12th Indian Division on the Euphrates Front. It remained on the Euphrates Front until the end of the war. It took part in the action of As Sahilan (11 September 1916), the Capture of Ramadi (28 and 29 September 1917), the Occupation of Hīt (9 March 1918) and the action of Khan Baghdadi (26 and 27 March 1918).Perry 1993 136 The division was not attached to either of the army corps operating in Mesopotamia, the I Corps and III Corps.June 2015 The division was commanded from formation on 7 May 1916 by Brigadier-General Harry T Brooking. Brooking was promoted to Major-General on 5 June 1916.Perry 1993 131 At the end of the war, the division was rapidly run down and it was disbanded in March 1919. Post Independence The division was re-raised on 1 October 1964 at Clement Town, Dehradun under Major General Niranjan Prasad and assigned to XI Corps.Richard A. Renaldi and Ravi Rikhye, 'Indian Army Order of Battle,' Orbat.com for Tiger Lily Books: A division of General Data LLC, 978-0-9820541-7-8, 2011, 103-4.https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/army-ad-errs-on-1965-war-history-makes-amends-115082601143_1.html Army ad errs on 1965 war history, makes amends 2015-08-17 2021-09-14 The divisional headquarters has been located at Amritsar since 1965. Order of battle, First World War The division commanded the following units, although not all of them served at the same time:Perry 1993 134 12th Indian Brigade 1/5th Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment) 2nd Battalion, 39th Garhwal Rifles 1st Battalion, 43rd Erinpura Infantry 90th Punjabis 128th Machine Gun Company 12th Light Trench Mortar Battery 34th Indian Brigade Joined the division on formation and left for the 17th Indian Division in August 1917 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) 31st Punjabis 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry 114th Mahrattas 129th Machine Gun Company 42nd Indian Brigade 1/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment 1/4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment 1st Battalion, 5th Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) 2nd Battalion, 5th Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) 2nd Battalion, 6th Gurkha Rifles 130th Machine Gun Company 42nd Light Trench Mortar Battery 50th Indian Brigade Joined from the 17th Indian Division in September 1917 1st Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 6th Jat Light Infantry 14th King George's Own Ferozepore Sikhs 24th Punjabis 1st Battalion, 97th Deccan Infantry 256th Machine Gun Company 50th Light Trench Mortar Battery Divisional Artillery VII Mountain Brigade, Indian Mountain Artillery (21st Kohat and 26th Jacob's Mountain Batteries)VII Mountain Brigade, Indian Mountain Artillery joined in May 1916 and left in April 1917.Perry 1993 135 CCXXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (375th, 1070th, 1072th, 77th (H) and 429th (H) Batteries)CCXXII Brigade, Royal Field Artillery joined in October 1916. It was originally the III Home Counties Brigade of the Home Counties Division, Territorial Force, plus the 375th and 77th (H) Batteries. 429th (H) Battery replaced 77th (H) Battery in October 1918. CCXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (816th, 1087th, 1088th and 524th (H) Batteries}CCXV Brigade, Royal Field Artillery joined in October 1917 from 3rd (Lahore) Division. It was originally the I Wessex Brigade of the Wessex Division, Territorial Force, plus the 816th and 524th (H) Batteries. 816th Battery was originally 2/1st Nottinghamshire Royal Horse Artillery. Volunteer BatteryThe Volunteer Battery left in April 1918 for 17th Indian Division. M, N and O Light Trench Mortar BatteriesM, N and O Light Trench Mortar Batteries joined in September 1917 and were assigned to the infantry brigades in February 1918. X.15 Medium Trench Mortar Battery 15th Divisional Ammunition Column Engineers and Pioneers 4th Field Company, 1st King George's Own Sappers and Miners Malerkotla Sappers and Miners, ISF 448th (Northumbrian) Field Company, Royal Engineers 450th (Northumbrian) Field Company, Royal Engineers 451st (Northumbrian) Field Company, Royal Engineers 15th Division Signal Company, Royal Engineers Signal Service 48th Pioneers Divisional troops D Squadron 1/1st Hertfordshire Yeomanry (6 August 1917 to May 1918) 275th Machine Gun Company 3rd, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 34th, 105th and 108th Combined Field Ambulances, RAMC No. 16 (renumbered No. 6) Mobile Veterinary Section, AVC 15th Division Train, ASC Battles and engagements during World War I The division was involved in the following actions: Action of As Sahilan (11 September 1916) Capture of Ramadi (2829 September 1917) Occupation of Hīt (9 March 1918) Action of Khan Baghdadi (2627 March 1918) Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 The division was fully operational on 31 March 1965 and moved to its headquarters in Amritsar by 1 April 1965. It took part in Operation Ablaze and the Battle of Dograi.https://samsshopping.com/product/15-infantry-division/ 15 Infantry Division, Golden Jubilee Cover 2014-10-01 2021-09-14 The division consisted of 38 Infantry Brigade, 54 Infantry Brigade and 15 Artillery Brigade.Singh Harbaksh War Despatches: Indo-Pak Conflict 1965 2012 Lancer Publishers LLC 978-8170621171 38 Infantry Brigade consisted of 1 Jat, 1/3 Gorkha Rifles and 3 Garhwal Rifles. 54 Infantry Brigade consisted of 3 Jat, 15 Dogra, 13 Punjab. In addition to the two infantry brigades, the division consisted of 14 Horse (Scinde Horse), 60 Heavy Regiment and 71 Field Company.https://www.istampgallery.com/the-scinde-horse/ The Scinde Horse 2015-01-09 2021-09-14 https://southasiamonitor.org/open-forum/recalling-epic-tank-battles-1965-war-when-pakistan-army-began-avoiding-indian-army-tanks Recalling epic tank battles of 1965 war: When Pakistan Army began avoiding Indian Army tanks 2021-01-04 2021-09-14 96 Infantry Brigade, consisting of 6 Kumaon, 7 Punjab and 16 Dogra was initially part of the XI Corps reserve, but subsequently placed under the division's operational command. 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade was placed under the division on 11 September. It was tasked to capture the road and rail bridges in Jallo area, but suffered heavy casualties during 16 and 17 September and had to be withdrawn. The division was given the task to advance on the Grand Trunk Road axis and capture the bridge on the Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal (also called Ichhogil Canal) in Dograi east of Lahore. 3 Jat under Lieutenant Colonel Desmond Hayde captured Dograi on the eastern bank of the Canal on 6 September 1965. The same day, 3 Jat captured the Batapore and Attokeawan localities on the west bank of the Canal. Due to lack of support, the unit had to fall back. 1 Jat managed to reach Bhaini Dhilwan bridge, but could not secure it due to armour and artillery fire and had to withdraw. This bridge was subsequently captured by 96 Infantry Brigade.Rao KVK Prepare or Perish: A Study of National Security Lancer Publishers 1991 978-8172120016 131–132 Following the initial reverses faced by the division, Major General Niranjan Prasad was replaced by Major General Mohindar Singh on 9 September 1965. The period of 11 to 18 September was characterised by a series of unproductive actions. The division subsequently plunged in the battle for the Ichhogil canal with zeal and determination. On 21 and 22 September, 3 Jat of the 54 Brigade captured Dograi. The unit won 3 Maha Vir Chakras, 4 Vir Chakras, 7 Sena Medals, 12 Mention in Dispatches and 11 COAS Commendation Cards.http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2015/oct01-15/h5.htm GOLDEN JUBILEE OF 1965 WAR, The Battle of Dograi 2015-10-01 2021-09-14 At the end of the war, 15 Division saw 486 killed (26 Officers, 9 JCOs, 451 ORs), 1569 wounded (60 Officers, 57 JCOs, 1450 ORs, 2 NCEs) and 85 missing (3 Officers, 2 JCOs, 79 ORs, 1 NCE).Singh Jogindar Behind the Scene: An Analysis of India's Military Operations, 1947–1971 1993 Lancer Publishers 978-1897829202 152 Awards and honours The following regiments won the battle honour Dograi-http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2016/oct01-16/h5.htm 8 MECHANISED INFANTRY (7 PUNJAB ICHHOGIL WARRIORS 2016-10-01 2021-09-18http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2008/nov01-08/h8.html Battle Honour Day Celebrated 2008-11-01 2021-09-18http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2015/oct01-15/h9.htm INDO – PAK WAR OF 1965, Valour of Punjab Regiment and Brigade of Guards 2015-10-01 2021-09-18https://www.defstrat.com/magazine_articles/battles-that-made-history-5/ BATTLES THAT MADE HISTORY 2020-01-01 2021-09-18 14 Horse 3 Jat 15 Dogra 7 Punjab 13 Punjab During the campaign, four Maha Vir Chakras were awarded for conspicuous bravery-https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1966/O-1665-1966-0041-75918.pdf Gazette of India, No 41, page 661 1966-10-08 2021-09-14 Major General Mohinder Singh, GOC 15 Infantry Division Lieutenant Colonel Desmond E Hayde, Commanding Officer, 3 Jat Major AR Tyagi (Posthumous), 3 Jat Captain Kapil Singh Thapa (Posthumous), 3 Jat Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 The division was under Major General BM Bhattacharjee MVC during the 1971 war and was responsible for the area between Gurdaspur and the Grand Trunk road opposite Amritsar. It took part in the battles of Dera Baba Nanak and Fatehpur – Burj. Order of battle Gill JH An Atlas Of 1971 India Pakistan War – Creation of Bangladesh 2003 National Defense University, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies 86 66 Armoured RegimentPraval KC Indian Army After Independence 2009 Lancer Publishers 978-1935501107http://forceindia.net/guest-column/guts-grit-and-glory/bravehearts-victory/ Guts, Grit and Glory – Braveheart's Victory 2021-09-14 86 Infantry Brigade 71 Armoured Regiment (from 14 (Independent) Armoured Brigade)Singh Jagjit Indian Gunners at War: The Western Front 1971 1994 Spantech & Lancer 978-1897829554 164 10 Dogra 1/9 Gorkha Rifles 4/8 Gorkha Rifles 17 Rajput 21 BSF 58 Infantry Brigade (detached from 14 Infantry Division) 24 Punjab 96 Infantry Brigade 15 Maratha Light Infantryhttps://forceindia.net/guest-column/guts-grit-and-glory/bravehearts-victory/ Guts, Grit and Glory – Braveheart's Victory – How Major Ranbir Singh won the landmark Battle of Burj, 1971 2021-09-17 8 Sikh Light Infantry 54 Infantry Brigade 2 Sikh 9 Punjab 11 Grenadiers 23 BSF 27 BSF 38 Infantry Brigade 16 Grenadiers 4 Assam 8 Garhwal Rifles 15 Artillery BrigadeSingh Jagjit Indian Gunners at War: The Western Front 1971 1994 Spantech & Lancer 978-1897829554 162 42 Field Regiment 175 Field Regiment 177 Field Regiment 74 Medium Regiment 84 Light Regiment 202 Divisional Locating Battery Additional Artillery Regiments 163 Field Regiment 71 Medium Regiment 49 AD Regiment (two troops) 3 Air Observation Post Flight 20 Locating Regiment Awards and honours 15 Infantry Division won numerous gallantry awards during the war.https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1972/O-1319-1972-0007-58736.pdf Gazette of India, No 1972-02-12 2021-09-17 Prominent among them are: Param Vishisht Seva Medal awardee- Major General BM Bhattacharjee MVC Maha Vir Chakra awardees- Battle of Dera Baba Nanak Brigadier Krishnaswamy Gowri Shankar, Commander of 86 Infantry Brigade Lieutenant Colonel Narinder Singh Sandhu of 10 Dogra Captain Devinder Singh Ahlawat of 10 Dogra Battle of Burj Sepoy Pandurang Salunkhe of 15 Maratha Light Infantry Ranian Major Basidev Singh Makotia of 9 Punjab Fathepur Lieutenant Colonel Harish Chandra Pathak of 8 Sikh Light Infantry Pul Kanjiri Lance Naik Shangara Singh of 2 Sikh Battle Honours 86 Infantry Brigade was awarded the battle honour Dera Baba Nanak.https://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061206/cth1.htm DBN Brigade celebrates anniversary 2006-12-06 2021-09-17 15 Maratha Light Infantry was awarded the battle honour Burj and the theatre honour Punjab. It was declared as the 'Best Performing Battalion' during the 1971 Indo-Pak War in the XI Corps Zone by the GOC, Lieutenant General N. C. Rawlley PVSM, AVSM, MC.https://indianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/BaatCheet/English/Apr%202021.pdf Baatcheet, April 2021 2021-04-01 2021-09-17 10 Dogra was awarded the battle honour Dera Baba Nanak.Prasad Shankar The Gallant Dogras-An Illustrated History of the Dogra Regiment 2008 Lancer International 978-8170622680 1/9 Gorkha Rifles was awarded the battle honour Dera Baba Nanak and theatre honour Punjab.http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2017/apr01-17/h17.htm A Saga of Valour – 200 Years of First Nine Gorkhas 2017-04-01 2021-09-17 Other Operations Operation Blue Star Operation Vijay Operation Parakram See also List of Indian divisions in World War I Notes References 2 Bibliography Kempton Chris 2003a 'Loyalty & Honour', The Indian Army September 1939 – August 1947 Part I Divisions The Military Press Milton Keynes 0-85420-228-5 Moberly Frederick James History of the Great War Based on Official Documents The Campaign in Mesopotamia 1914–1918 I 1927 1923 HMSO London 772784341 https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.210666 Perry F.W. 1993 Order of Battle of Divisions Part 5B. Indian Army Divisions Ray Westlake Military Books Newport 1-871167-23-X External links http://www.warpath.orbat.com/indian_divs/15_ind_div.htm 15th Indian Division on The Regimental Warpath 1914–1918 by PB Chappell 2015-06-13 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080517084847/http://www.warpath.orbat.com/indian_divs/15_ind_div.htm 17 May 2008 dmy British Empire has list of all Indian Army regiments with pictures of their regimental badges. Category:Divisions of the Indian Army Category:British Indian Army divisions Category:Indian World War I divisions Category:Military units and formations established in 1916 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1919 Category:Military units and formations established in 1964