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15th Infantry Division (India)

{{Use British English|date=June 2015}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}

{{Infobox military unit

| unit_name = 15th Indian Division

| image =15 Infantry Division.png

| alt =

| caption =Formation Badge of the 15th Infantry Division

| dates = 7 May 1916 – March 1919
1 October 1964 – present

| country = {{flag|British India|23px}}
{{flag icon|India}} India

| branch = {{army|British India|23px}}
24px Indian Army

| type = Infantry

| role =

| size = Division

| command_structure =

| garrison =

| garrison_label =

| nickname =Panther Division

| patron =

| motto =

| march =

| mascot =

| anniversaries =

| equipment =

| equipment_label =

| battles=World War I

:Mesopotamian campaign

::Capture of Ramadi

::Action of Khan Baghdadi

:Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

:Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

| decorations =

| battle_honours =

| battle_honours_label =

| disbanded =

| notable_commanders =Major General H T Brooking
Major General Mohinder Singh {{Small|MVC}}
Major General BM Bhattacharjee {{Small|PVSM, MVC}}

| identification_symbol =

| identification_symbol_label =

}}

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,{{harvnb|Kempton|2003a|loc=i}} but was reformed at Dehradun in 1964 as part of the post-independence Indian Army.

History

Image:KhanBaghdadi.jpg 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).{{harvnb|Perry|1993|p=136}} The division was not attached to either of the army corps operating in Mesopotamia, the I Corps and III Corps.{{citation needed|date=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.{{harvnb|Perry|1993|p=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, {{ISBN|978-0-9820541-7-8}}, 2011, 103-4.{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/army-ad-errs-on-1965-war-history-makes-amends-115082601143_1.html|title=Army ad errs on 1965 war history, makes amends|date=2015-08-17|access-date=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:{{harvnb|Perry|1993|p=134}}

=[[12th Indian Brigade]]=

=[[34th Indian Brigade]]=

:Joined the division on formation and left for the 17th Indian Division in August 1917

=[[42nd Indian Brigade]]=

=[[50th Indian Brigade]]=

:Joined from the 17th Indian Division in September 1917

=Divisional Artillery=

=Engineers and 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:

Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

{{main|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.{{cite web|url=https://samsshopping.com/product/15-infantry-division/|title=15 Infantry Division, Golden Jubilee Cover|date=2014-10-01|access-date=2021-09-14}}

The division consisted of 38 Infantry Brigade, 54 Infantry Brigade and 15 Artillery Brigade.{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Harbaksh |title=War Despatches: Indo-Pak Conflict 1965|date=2012|publisher= Lancer Publishers LLC|isbn=978-8170621171|page=}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.istampgallery.com/the-scinde-horse/|title=The Scinde Horse|date=2015-01-09|access-date=2021-09-14}}{{cite web|url= https://southasiamonitor.org/open-forum/recalling-epic-tank-battles-1965-war-when-pakistan-army-began-avoiding-indian-army-tanks|title= Recalling epic tank battles of 1965 war: When Pakistan Army began avoiding Indian Army tanks|date=2021-01-04|access-date=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.{{cite book|last=Rao|first=KVK|title=Prepare or Perish: A Study of National Security|publisher=Lancer Publishers|date=1991|isbn=978-8172120016|pages=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.{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2015/oct01-15/h5.htm|title=GOLDEN JUBILEE OF 1965 WAR, The Battle of Dograi|date=2015-10-01|access-date=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).{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Jogindar|title=Behind the Scene: An Analysis of India's Military Operations, 1947–1971|year=1993|publisher=Lancer Publishers|isbn=978-1897829202|page=152}}

=Awards and honours=

  • The following regiments won the battle honour Dograi-{{cite web|url=http://www.sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2016/oct01-16/h5.htm|title=8 MECHANISED INFANTRY (7 PUNJAB ICHHOGIL WARRIORS|date=2016-10-01|access-date=2021-09-18}}{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2008/nov01-08/h8.html|title=Battle Honour Day Celebrated|date=2008-11-01|access-date=2021-09-18}}{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2015/oct01-15/h9.htm|title=INDO – PAK WAR OF 1965, Valour of Punjab Regiment and Brigade of Guards|date=2015-10-01|access-date=2021-09-18}}{{cite web|url=https://www.defstrat.com/magazine_articles/battles-that-made-history-5/|title=BATTLES THAT MADE HISTORY|date=2020-01-01|access-date=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-{{cite web|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1966/O-1665-1966-0041-75918.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No 41, page 661|date=1966-10-08|access-date=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

{{main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}

The division was under Major General BM Bhattacharjee {{Small|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=

{{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}}

  • 66 Armoured Regiment{{cite book|last=Praval|first=KC|title=Indian Army After Independence|date=2009|publisher=Lancer Publishers|isbn=978-1935501107}}{{cite web|url=http://forceindia.net/guest-column/guts-grit-and-glory/bravehearts-victory/|title=Guts, Grit and Glory – Braveheart's Victory|access-date=2021-09-14}}
  • 86 Infantry Brigade
  • 71 Armoured Regiment (from 14 (Independent) Armoured Brigade){{cite book|last=Singh|first=Jagjit |title=Indian Gunners at War: The Western Front 1971|date=1994|publisher= Spantech & Lancer|isbn=978-1897829554|page=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 Infantry{{cite web|url=https://forceindia.net/guest-column/guts-grit-and-glory/bravehearts-victory/|title=Guts, Grit and Glory – Braveheart's Victory – How Major Ranbir Singh won the landmark Battle of Burj, 1971|date=|access-date=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 Brigade{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Jagjit|title=Indian Gunners at War: The Western Front 1971|date=1994|publisher= Spantech & Lancer|isbn=978-1897829554|page=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.{{cite web|url=https://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/1972/O-1319-1972-0007-58736.pdf|title=Gazette of India, No |date=1972-02-12|access-date=2021-09-17}} Prominent among them are:

;Param Vishisht Seva Medal awardee-

  • Major General BM Bhattacharjee {{Small|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.{{cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061206/cth1.htm|title=DBN Brigade celebrates anniversary|date=2006-12-06|access-date=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 {{small|PVSM, AVSM, MC}}.{{cite web|url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/BaatCheet/English/Apr%202021.pdf|title=Baatcheet, April 2021|date=2021-04-01|access-date=2021-09-17}}
  • 10 Dogra was awarded the battle honour Dera Baba Nanak.{{cite book|last=Prasad|first=Shankar|title=The Gallant Dogras-An Illustrated History of the Dogra Regiment|date=2008|publisher=Lancer International|isbn=978-8170622680|page=}}
  • 1/9 Gorkha Rifles was awarded the battle honour Dera Baba Nanak and theatre honour Punjab.{{cite web|url=http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2017/apr01-17/h17.htm|title=A Saga of Valour – 200 Years of First Nine Gorkhas|date=2017-04-01|access-date=2021-09-17}}

Other Operations

See also

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist|2}}

Bibliography

  • {{cite book

| last = Kempton | first = Chris

| year = 2003a

| title = 'Loyalty & Honour', The Indian Army September 1939 – August 1947

| volume = Part I Divisions

| publisher = The Military Press

| location = Milton Keynes

| isbn = 0-85420-228-5

}}

  • {{cite book

| last = Moberly | first = F.J.

| year = 1923

| title = Official History of the War: Mesopotamia Campaign

| publisher = Imperial War Museum

| location = London

| isbn = 1-870423-30-5

}}

  • {{cite book

| last = Perry | first = F.W.

| year = 1993

| title = Order of Battle of Divisions Part 5B. Indian Army Divisions

| publisher = Ray Westlake Military Books

| location = Newport

| isbn = 1-871167-23-X

}}

External links

  • {{cite web|url=http://www.warpath.orbat.com/indian_divs/15_ind_div.htm |title=15th Indian Division on The Regimental Warpath 1914–1918 by PB Chappell |access-date=2015-06-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517084847/http://www.warpath.orbat.com/indian_divs/15_ind_div.htm |archive-date=17 May 2008 |df=dmy }}
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20080403224244/http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/armyunit.htm British Empire] has list of all Indian Army regiments with pictures of their regimental badges.

{{Indian Divisions in World War I}}

{{Indian Expeditionary Forces}}

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