Country British India Branch British Indian Army Size Brigade | Allegiance British Crown Type Infantry | |
Active 20 August 1917 – March 1919 | ||
The 50th Indian Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Indian Army that saw active service with the Indian Army during the First World War. It served in the Mesopotamian Campaign on the Euphrates Front throughout its existence. It was not reformed for the Second World War.
Contents
History
The 50th Indian Brigade was formed in Mesopotamia on 20 August 1917 as part of the newly formed 15th Indian Division. It was made up of battalions that had already been in Mesopotamia for some months, guarding lines of communications. From late August to mid-September it was attached to the 3rd (Lahore) Division before joining the 17th Indian Division. It was replaced in the 15th Indian Division by the 34th Indian Brigade, ex 17th Indian Division.
The brigade remained with the division on the Euphrates Front until the end of the war. It took part in 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). At the end of the war, the division was rapidly run down and it (along with the brigade) was disbanded in March 1919.
The Indian Army did not form a 50th Indian Infantry Brigade in the Second World War, however it did form 50th Indian Parachute Brigade and 50th Indian Tank Brigade.
Order of battle
The brigade had the following composition in the First World War:
Commander
The brigade was commanded from formation by Brigadier-General A.W. Andrew.