Country British India Branch British Indian Army Size Division | Allegiance British Crown Type Infantry | |
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Active 24 December 1917 – 1921 | ||
The 18th Indian Division was an infantry division of the British Indian Army that saw active service in the First World War. It took part in the Mesopotamian campaign and formed part of the occupation force for Iraq post-war. The division was not reformed for the Second World War.
Contents
History
The 18th Indian Division was formed in Mesopotamia on 24 December 1917, although the last of its brigades (55th) was not formed until January 1918. Many of the division's units transferred directly from India so time was needed for them to become acclimatized. It remained in Mesopotamia for the rest of the First World War, taking part in the Action at Fat-ha Gorge on the Little Zab (23–26 October 1918) and the Battle of Sharqat (28–30 October 1918) under the command of I Corps.
At the end of the war, the 18th Division was chosen to form part of the occupation force for Iraq. It took part in the Iraq Rebellion in 1920 and was broken up in the following year.
Order of battle
The division commanded the following units, although not all of them served at the same time:
53rd Indian Brigade
54th Indian Brigade
55th Indian Brigade
Divisional Artillery
Engineers and Pioneers
Divisional Troops
Commander
The division was commanded from 7 January 1918 by Major-General H.D. Fanshawe.