3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade

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For the replacement brigade in India in the First World War, see Ambala Brigade. For the Second World War formation, see 3rd (Meerut) Cavalry Brigade.

Ambala Brigade
Ambala Cavalry Brigade
3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade
ActiveJuly 1904 – March 1918
Country 
First World War
Western Front
Battle of the Somme (1916)
Battle of Bazentin
Battle of Flers–Courcelette
Battle of Cambrai (1917)
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Br.-Gen. R.B. Adams VC

The Ambala Cavalry Brigade was a

First World War as part of the 1st Indian Cavalry Division and departed for France. It served on the Western Front with the 1st and 2nd Indian Cavalry Divisions
until it was broken up in March 1918.

History

The

North-West Frontier against foreign aggression (particularly Russian expansion into Afghanistan) with internal security relegated to a secondary role. The Army was organized into divisions and brigades that would act as field formations but also included internal security troops.[1]

The Ambala Brigade (also referred to as

Umballa Brigade) was formed in July 1904[a] as a result of the Kitchener Reforms. The brigade formed part of the 3rd (Lahore) Division.[2] In 1908, it was redesignated as Ambala Cavalry Brigade.[3][4]

3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade

In August 1914, the brigade was mobilized as the 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade and assigned to the 1st Indian Cavalry Division.[5] A new Ambala Brigade was formed in November 1914 as part of the 3rd Lahore Divisional Area to take over the original brigade's internal security duties.[6]

With 1st Indian Cavalry Division, it departed

Marseilles on 7 November. It concentrated around Orléans on 16 November and was sent up to the Front on 26 November. While in France, the brigade was known by its geographical rather than numerical designation so as to avoid confusion with the British 3rd Cavalry Brigade also serving on the Western Front at the same time.[5] On 15 September 1915, the brigade swapped places with the 5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade from 2nd Indian Cavalry Division.[7][8]

9th Hodson's Horse pause to consult a map, near Vraignes
, France in April 1917

In 1916, the brigade took part in the Battle of the Somme, notably the Battle of Bazentin (14 – 17 July) and the Battle of Flers–Courcelette (15 – 22 September). In 1917, the brigade took part in the Battle of Cambrai, notably the Tank Attack (20 – 21 November) and the German Counter-attacks (30 November – 3 December). At other times it was held in reserve in case of a breakthrough, although it did send parties to the trenches on a number of occasions. They would hold the line, or act as Pioneers; such parties were designated as the Ambala Battalion.[9]

Dissolved

In March 1918, the brigade was broken up in France. The British units (

5th Cavalry Division.[11]

Orders of battle

Commanders

The Ambala Brigade / Ambala Cavalry Brigade / 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade had the following commanders:[14]

Major-General C.P.W. Pirie
From Rank Name Notes
18 July 1904[2]
Brigadier-General
 Robert Bellew Adams VC
28 April 1906[15] Brigadier-General Edward Henry McSwiney
4 March 1907[3] Brigadier-General Francis Sudlow Garratt
July 1909 Brigadier-General Ernest Henry Rivett-Carnac
11 April 1910[16]
Major-General
 Charles Patrick William Pirie
1 May 1916[17] Brigadier-General Charles Herbert Rankin Broken up in March 1918

See also

  • Ambala Brigade formed in India to replace the original brigade when it was mobilized
  • Indian Cavalry Corps order of battle First World War
  • Indian Expeditionary Force A

Notes

  1. ^ 18 July 1904 was the appointment date of the brigade's first commanding officer.[2]
  2. I Indian Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery but was attached to the brigade.[7]
  3. II Indian Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery but was attached to the brigade.[8]
  4. 18th King George's Own Tiwana Lancers.[13]

References

  1. ^ Haythornthwaite 1996, p. 244
  2. ^ a b c The late Lieutenant General H.G. Hart. "Hart's Annual Army List for 1906". London: John Murray. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  3. ^ a b The late Lieutenant General H.G. Hart. "Hart's Annual Army List for 1908". London: John Murray. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  4. ^ The late Lieutenant General H.G. Hart. "Hart's Annual Army List for 1909". London: John Murray. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  5. ^ a b Perry 1993, p. 16
  6. ^ Perry 1993, p. 55
  7. ^ a b c Perry 1993, p. 14
  8. ^ a b c Perry 1993, p. 18
  9. ^ a b Perry 1993, p. 20
  10. ^ Becke 1936, p. 33
  11. ^ Perry 1993, p. 28
  12. ^ Perry 1993, p. 49
  13. ^ Baker, Chris. "Cavalry units of the Machine Gun Corps". The Long Long Trail. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  14. ^ Mackie 2015, p. 350
  15. ^ The late Lieutenant General H.G. Hart. "Hart's Annual Army List for 1907". London: John Murray. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  16. ^ The late Lieutenant General H.G. Hart. "Hart's Annual Army List for 1914". London: John Murray. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  17. ^ Perry 1993, p. 17

Bibliography

External links
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