5th Cavalry Division (India)
| 2nd Mounted Division 5th Cavalry Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | April 1918 – April 1920 |
| Country | India |
| Branch | British Indian Army |
| Type | Cavalry |
| Size | Division |
| Engagements | World War I
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | H.J.M. Macandrew |
The 2nd Mounted Division was a cavalry division that served as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Palestine in World War I. It was formed in April 1918 when three brigades already in Palestine were merged with elements of the 2nd Indian Cavalry Division withdrawn from the Western Front. In July 1918, the division was renamed as the 5th Cavalry Division. It remained in Palestine after the end of the war on occupation duties until finally broken up in 1920.
Formation
2nd Mounted Division
In March 1918, the
By an
- the 5th Mounted Brigade was transferred from the Australian Mounted Division and merged with elements of the 3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade
- the 7th Mounted Brigade (which had been acting in an independent role) was merged with elements of the 9th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade
- the Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade (which had been on service in Egypt and Palestine since 1914) joined as the division's third brigade
- two of the Yeomanry Regiments were merged ( They were replaced by Indian Cavalry Regiments from France.
- the Field Ambulances and Mobile Veterinary Sections merged with their Indian counterparts.[7]
- the Essex Battery, RHA and ammunition column joined with 7th Mounted Brigade.[8]
- Other divisional elements were raised for the new division.[9]
5th Cavalry Division
On 22 July 1918, the 2nd Mounted Division was renumbered as the 5th Cavalry Division and the brigades as the 13th, 14th and 15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigades. The sub units (Signal Troops, Combined Cavalry Field Ambulances and Mobile Veterinary Sections) were renumbered on the same date.[9]
| 13th Cavalry Brigade 1/1st Royal Gloucestershire Hussars 9th Hodson's Horse 18th King George's Own Lancers 19th Machine Gun Squadron 13th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop 13th Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC 13th Mobile Veterinary Section |
14th Cavalry Brigade 1/1st Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry 20th Deccan Horse 34th Prince Albert Victor's Own Poona Horse 20th Machine Gun Squadron 14th Cavalry Brigade Signal Troop 14th Combined Cavalry Field Ambulance, RAMC 14th Mobile Veterinary Section |
15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade Mysore Lancers |
| Artillery Essex Battery, RHA |
Divisional Troops 5th Field Squadron, RE[c] |
5th Cavalry Division Train 1044th Company ASC |
Battles
The 2nd Mounted / 5th Cavalry Division served with the
The division remained in Palestine on occupation duties after the end of the war. However, demobilization began immediately and most of the British war time units had left by the middle of 1919. 14th Cavalry Brigade was broken up in September 1919, and the 15th (I.S.) Cavalry Brigade in January 1920. The division (and 13th Cavalry Brigade) was finally broken up in April 1920.[2]
See also
- 4th Cavalry Division (British Indian Army)formed at the same time in a similar manner.
- List of Indian divisions in World War I
Notes
- ^ British Indian Army standard whereby brigades only retained one British regiment or battalion and most support units were Indian (artillery excepted).
- ^ Nottinghamshire, RHA was attached from Australian Mounted Division from September to October 1918.[10]
- ^ 7th Field Squadron, RE was renumbered as 5th Field Squadron, RE.[9]
References
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 20
- ^ a b c Perry 1993, p. 28
- ^ Perry 1993, p. 27
- ^ James 1978, p. 29
- ^ James 1978, p. 26
- ^ James 1978, p. 31
- ^ Becke 1936, p. 32
- ^ Becke 1936, p. 33
- ^ a b c d Perry 1993, p. 26
- ^ Perry 1992, p. 51
Bibliography
- Becke, Major A.F. (1936). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 2A. The Territorial Force Mounted Divisions and the 1st-Line Territorial Force Divisions (42–56). London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. ISBN 1-871167-12-4.
- James, Brigadier E.A. (1978). British Regiments 1914–18. London: Samson Books. ISBN 0-906304-03-2.
- Perry, F.W. (1992). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 5A. The Divisions of Australia, Canada and New Zealand and those in East Africa. Newport: Ray Westlake Military Books. ISBN 1-871167-25-6.
- Perry, F.W. (1993). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 5B. Indian Army Divisions. Newport: Ray Westlake Military Books. ISBN 1-871167-23-X.