20th Indian Infantry Brigade

History

The brigade was formed in September 1940, by the conversion of the Khojak Brigade and assigned to the 9th Indian Infantry Division. In April 1941, they were transferred to the 10th Indian Infantry Division and took part in the Anglo-Iraqi War, Syria-Lebanon campaign and the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran. Moving to Egypt in June 1942, the brigade was overrun and largely destroyed at Gambut 18 June 1942. The brigade was reformed in the Nile Delta and returned to the 10th Division. The brigade then took part in the Italian Campaign with 10th Division and ended the war in Italy.

Order of battle

2nd Battalion, 7th Gurkha Rifles September 1940 to July 1941 and September 1941 to April 1942

3rd Battalion, 11th Sikh Regiment September 1940 to June 1941

2nd Battalion, 8th Gurkha Rifles October 1940 to June 1941, July 1941 to January 1942 and October to November 1944

1st Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) June 1941

2nd Battalion, 4th Gurkha Rifles June 1941

3rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery June to September 1941

5th Battalion, 13th Frontier Force Rifles June to July 1941

3rd Battalion, 11th Sikh Regiment August 1941 to March 1942

1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers December 1941 to August 1942

3rd Battalion, 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles March to July 1942

1st Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles April to June 1942

2nd Battalion, 11th Sikh Regiment August 1942 to October 1943

2nd Battalion, 3rd Gurkha Rifles January 1943 to August 1945

4th Battalion, 13th Frontier Force Rifles February to June 1943

Mewar Bhopal Infantry June 1943

3rd Battalion, 5th Mahratta Light Infantry June 1943 to August 1945

8th Battalion, Manchester Regiment July 1943 to September 1944

1st Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (machine gun) attached 30 October to 19 November 1943 for training on Cyprus

1st Battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment October 1944 to May 1945

Nabha Akal Infantry October 1944 to August 1945

2nd Battalion, Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) May to August 1945

Officers commanding

The following officers commended the brigade during the war.

Brigadier D. Powell (September 1940 to March 1942) Brigadier L.E. MacGregor (March 1942 to June 1943) Brigadier J.B. MacDonald (June 1943 to end of war)