55th Indian Brigade explained

Unit Name:55th Indian Brigade
Dates:January 1918 – 1921
Allegiance:British Crown
Type:Infantry
Size:Brigade
Command Structure:18th Indian Division
Battles:First World War

Mesopotamian Campaign

Battle of Sharqat

Notable Commanders:Br.-Gen. G.M. Morris

The 55th 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 took part in the Mesopotamian campaign and formed part of the occupation force for Iraq post-war.

History

The 55th Indian Brigade started forming in Mesopotamia from January 1918 as part of the 18th Indian Division. The brigade was formed from battalions transferred directly from India so time was needed for them to become acclimatized. It remained with the division for the rest of the 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).

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. The division, and the brigade, was broken up in the following year.

Order of battle

The brigade had the following composition in the First World War:

Commanders

The brigade was commanded from 5 January 1918 by Brigadier-General A. J. Campbell. On 2 March 1918, Brigadier-General G. M. Morris took command.

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External links