3rd Indian Infantry motorissed brigade

[Eduard]

I think this was a unlucky unit.

During the first German attack in april 1941 it was destroyed at Mechili in their first engagement and afterwards after being rebuilt it also was destroyed the first day of the gazala batle in May 1942.

I'm interested in the period after this engagement. I've read confussing reports about their fate.

----3rd Indian Motor Brigade
------2nd Bn / Royal Lancers (Cavalry-Carrier) – 2 x Recon Sqn, 1 x AT Sqn
------11th Bn / Prince Albert Victor’s Own Cavalry (Cavalry-Carrier) – 2 x Recon Sqn, 1 x AT Sqn
------18th Bn / King Edward’s Own Cavalry (Cavalry-Carrier) – 2 x Recon Sqn, 1 x AT Sqn
------3rd Indian Motor Brigade AT Co. – 16 x 2# ATG
------2nd Field Regiment, IA – 16 x 25# Field Gun
------31st Bengal Field Squadron, IE

(from axis history forum)

How many men were included in this organisation?

About 1400 men were captured, and first 200 were released by CW units and 600 released because the germans were not able to feed them.
Most of the equippement was lost...probably most of the officers captured were evacuated...

afterwards in mid june it was rebuilt but I've not been able to know how and with which troops...


Any information about?

Thanks

[Maurice the Archivist]

This brigade was overrun on 27 May 1942 by the 15th & 21st Pz Divs and Ariete division. The remnants reformed at Buq Buq and covered the withdrawal to El Alamein. The brigade was dispersed in July, but in August reformed. Its components were:

2nd Royal Lancers (Gardner's Horse)
Prince Albert Victors Own Cavalry (11th Frontier Force)
18th King Edward VII's Own Cavalry
2nd Field Regiment Indian Artillery
31st Field Squadron King George V's Bengal Sappers & Miners Group
3rd Motor Brigade Signals Troop
64th Supply Issue Section Royal Indian Army Service Corps
3rd Brigade Transport Company Royal Indian Army Service Corps
3rd Light Field Ambulance Indian Medical Service
3rd Motor Brigade Ordnance Company Indian Army Ordnance Corps
28th Field Post Office

In August 1942 the 2nd Field Regiment Indian Artillery was assigned to the 6th Indian Division in Iran with the rest of the brigade sent to Shaiba (Iran) and placed under the command of the 31st Armoured Division. The 31st Field Squadron King George V's Bengal Sappers & Miners Group became divisional engineers. In January 1943 the 2/6th Gurkha Rifles, 2/8th Gurkha Rifles and 2/10th Gurkha Rifles were added. At the end of this month the brigade was reformed as the 43rd Indian Infantry Brigade (Lorried). 2nd Royal Lancers (Gardner's Horse) was reassigned to the Risalpur Training Brigade; Prince Albert Victors Own Cavalry (11th Frontier Force) returned to India where it converted to an armoured-car regiment; 18th King Edward VII's Own Cavalry returned to India (Ferozepore).

Source: 'Loyalty & Honour' - The Indian Army September 1939 - August 1947 (3 Vols) by Chris Kempton. Military Press 2003.

Maurice

[David W]

Gentlemen.

Was the Battery from the 2nd Field Regiment IA part of the 3rd IMB in April 1941? May 1942? Or was it only assigned in August 1942?

The T.o&E listed by Eduard is from April 1941. How if at all would this T.o&E differed in May 1942?

Thanks. David.

[Maurice the Archivist]

The battery was assigned in February 1942, serving until August 1942.

Maurice