3rd/14th Punjab Regt & 3rd/15th Punjab Regt

Discussion in 'British Indian Army' started by RobG64, Jan 16, 2016.

  1. RobG64

    RobG64 Well-Known Member

    Hi, has anyone got movement details and brigade attachments for 3rd Battalion 14th Punjab Regiment and 3rd Battalion 15th Punjab Regiment from September 1939 to December 1940? My records for 7th Indian Infantry Brigade seem to contradict various histories I have!

    Many thanks

    RobG64
     
  2. DavidW

    DavidW Well-Known Member

    Rob.

    I have "Loyalty & Honour". It places 3/15th Punjab in the 7th Brigade from June to October 1940.

    It places 3/14 Punjab in the 10th Brigade from October 1939 to October 1940.

    Any help?

    Kind Regards,
    David.
     
  3. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here are the movements of 3/14th Punjab Regiment 1939-45:

    3rd Battalion 14th Punjab Regiment

    Ambala Brigade Area – 3 September 1939 to 7 September 1939
    The 3rd Battalion served under the Ambala Brigade Area on the outbreak of the war. The battalion moved to Lahore on 7 September 1939 and handed over to the 11/17th Dogra Regiment.

    Lahore Brigade Area – 7 September 1939 to 6 October 1939
    The battalion was located at Lahore but it moved back to Ambala on October 6th, 1939.

    Ambala Brigade Area – 6 October 1939 to 16 October 1939
    It left Ambala and moved to Jhansi on October 16th, 1939.

    10th Indian Infantry Brigade – 16 October 1939 to July 1940
    At Jhansi, the battalion came under the command of the newly created 10th Indian Infantry Brigade. It remained with the brigade in Jhansi until July 1940.

    7th Indian Infantry Brigade – July 1940 to 12 October 1940
    In July it replaced the 3/15th Punjab Regiment in the 7th Indian Infantry Brigade at Poona. The battalion was mobilized on August 5th, 1940 and embarked at Bombay on September 25th, 1940 as part of 7th Indian Brigade, the brigade having embarked a fortnight earlier.

    HQ British Troops in Egypt (BTE) – 12 October 1940 to 13 January 1941
    The 3rd Battalion arrived at Suez on October 12th, 1940. It then left the brigade and moved to Moascar to relieve the 1st Royal Sussex Regiment. It also had one company at Kantara. At the end of December 1940 it left Egypt at Port Said and reached Port Sudan on January 13th, 1941.

    11th Indian Infantry Brigade – 13 January 1941 to 6 February 1941
    It then joined 11th Indian Infantry Brigade in the Sudan and was stationed halfway between Port Sudan and Kassala for three days. It moved to Aroma on January 18th and went into battle with the brigade in Eritrea. The 2/5th Mahratta Light Infantry then replaced it in the brigade.

    5th Indian Infantry Brigade – Attached – 6 February 1941 to 7 February 1941
    On February 6th, 1941 it left the 11th Brigade and went to Agordat in view of losses in action. It was attached to the 5th Indian Infantry Brigade until February 7th when it was sent to the rear.

    4th Indian Infantry Division – Attached – 7 February 1941 to end May 1941
    It then was withdrawn into divisional reserve on LOC duties between Kassala and Agordat with one company at Barentu.

    34th Indian States Forces Brigade – End May 1941 to 10 July 1941
    At the end of May 1941 the battalion moved to Adowa in Abyssinia and came under the 34th Indian State Forces Brigade.

    East Africa Force – 10 July 1941 to 15 September 1941
    On July 10th, 1941 it left the brigade and arrived at Zarima from Asmara in East Africa and joined the patriotic forces at Boca to attack the Wolchefit Pass defences in Abbysinia. One week later it returned to Adowa. On August 23rd, 1941 it was back at Zarima on patrols.

    East Africa Command – 15 September 1941 to April 1942
    On September 20th, 1941 it turned over the area to the 2/4th King’s African Rifles and moved to Albau on October 5th, 1941. The next seven months were spent on garrison duty and training in Abyssinia. It moved to Egypt in April 1942.

    HQ British Troops in Egypt (BTE) – April 1942 to July 1942
    On arrival in Egypt in April 1942 it took over the POW cages at Cairo and Alexandria.

    9th Indian Infantry Brigade – July 1942 to 9 October 1944
    It came under the command of the 9th Indian Infantry Brigade in July 1942. It was located in Egypt until October 2nd, 1942, the brigade moving to Abu Dweiss on June 28th, 1942 at Alamein and in July 1942 to Khataba. It arrived in Baghdad on October 10th, 1942 and then moved to Haditha, Iraq. It was located in Iraq until April 24th, 1943. It then returned to India and disembarked at Bombay on June 26th, 1943. It moved to Chas near Ranchi on arrival. It moved to Lahaidaya in September 1943 and embarked for the Arakan on December 26th, 1943.
    It landed at Chittagong and moved with the 9th Indian Brigade to an area from the sea to the crest of the Mayu Range in divisional reserve. At the start of January, the 9th Brigade began to advance to the Razabil area, but on February 1st the brigade, less the 3/9th Jats, was sent to take over the eastern foothills of the Mayu Range from the 89th Indian Brigade. On arrival, the battalion was disposed overlooking Htindaw. The brigade came under the command of the 7th Indian Division on February 8th but returned to 5th Division on the 29th in the the Maungdaw area. The 9th Brigade attacked Razabil from the west from March 9th-12th. On March 16th, the brigade was relieved south of Maungdaw-Buthidaung road by the 51st Indian Brigade.
    The 9th Brigade was then flown from Dohazari to Imphal from March 23rd-26th. On March 27th, the brigade was in place on the left of the 5th Indian Division holding the Nungshigum Hill and Kunglatongbi. It was relieved there on April 5th by the 63rd Indian Brigade and moved east to the Nungshigum area. The battalion then cleared the Japanese up to the ‘Saddle’ feature on the Litan Road. During mid-April, the brigade advanced northwest from Nungshigum and destroyed the Japanese on the heights east of Sengmai. Strong resistance was met in the Mapao area, but the battlion took Mapao on April 25th. By the end of the month, the brigade was disposed from Mapao to Wakan. The battalion attacked the ‘Hump’ feature on May 4th and the brigade moved into the Iril Valley on May 14th. On May 15th the battalion was located at Mapao and attacked the ‘Hump’ again on May 20th, but still did not take it by May 22nd. The battaltion then took over from the 89th Indian Brigade on June 1st and did a flank move to meet the troops moving from Kanglatongbi. The battalion linked up with the 2nd British Division by June 17th and then took Octopus Hill. The 9th Brigade took up the pursuit to Tiddim on July 20th and continued until October 9th when the 4th Jammu and Kashmir Infantry relieved it in the brigade on the Tiddim Road.

    Bannu Brigade – 9 October 1944 to 31 August 1945
    The battalion left Burma and moved to Bannu, where it remained for the rest of the war.
     
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  4. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here are the movements of 3/15th Punjab Regiment:

    3rd Battalion 15th Punjab Regiment

    Jhansi Area – 3 September 1939 to November 1939
    On the outbreak of war, the battalion was located at Jhansi.

    7th Indian Infantry Brigade – November 1939 to June 1940
    It moved to Poona in November 1939 and came under the command of the 7th Indian Infantry Brigade, which was in the process of forming. It left the brigade in June 1940 and was sent to as a garrison unit to Aden.

    British Troops in Aden – June 1940 to 30 June 1940
    On arrival in Aden, the battalion was immediately dispatched to help in the defence of British Somaliland.

    OC Somaliland Camel Corps – 1 July 1940 to 18 August 1940
    It landed in British Somaliland on July 1st, 1940 and remained as the Force Reserve until August 6th, 1940, when it move into the Tug Argen position. It was in action until August 18th, 1940, when it returned to Aden to form part of the Aden Garrison.

    British Troops in Aden – 19 August 1940 to 15 March 1941
    The battalion served as part of the Aden garrison.

    Aden Force – 16 March 1941 to June 1941
    The 3rd Battalion again landed at Berbera, British Somaliland on March 16th, 1941. It formed part of Aden Force and advanced on Jijigga. After meeting up with the East Africa Force troops, the battalion withdrew to back to British Somaliland and occupation duties until June. The battalion was attached to 26th (East Africa) Infantry Brigade at Assab when it arrived on May 28th, 1941. It helped blockade French Somaliland until June 1941, when was relieved by the 7th King’s African Rifles and ‘A’ Company of the 1/3rd King’s African Rifles M-G at Assab.

    British Troops in Aden – June 1941 to 29 May 1942
    It once again returned to Aden. The 2/10th Gurkha Rifles relieved the battalion in Aden on May 29th, 1942.

    27th Indian Infantry Brigade – Early June 1942 to January 1943
    The 3rd Battalion then moved to Persia and joined the 27th Indian Infantry Brigade in early June 1942. It remained in Persia with the brigade until January 1943, when it moved with the brigade to the Baghdad area.

    21st Indian Infantry Brigade – January 1943 to 31 August 1945
    On arrival in the Baghdad area, the battalion transferred to the 21st Indian Infantry Brigade. Over the next three months, the battalion trained in mountain warfare. It left Baghdad with the brigade on May 1st and moved to Ras Baalbek, Syria and came under command of the 9th Army. It trained there through September 1943, leaving for Amiriya in Egypt on September 16th. It embarked on September 19th, 1943 and arrived in Italy on September 24th, 1943 under the brigade.
    The battalion disembarked at Taranto on September 24th and, by November 1st, it was in the line at Montfalcone with the brigade. It then crossed the Trigno and the Sangro on November 27th-30th. It attacked Redicoppe on December 1st and captured Lanciano and Frisa on December 2nd-5th. The brigade crossed the Moro River at ‘Impossible Bridge’ on December 9th and served in the bridgehead area until December 13th. The brigade then took part in the advance to Consalvi on December 16th-17th and captured it on December 19th. It took part in the second attack on Villa Grande from December 23rd-24th. The brigade then went to the rear to rest. It remained in the line after resting, patrolling, until April. The brigade was then transferred to the area of the Gari River to assault the Gustav Line.
    The brigade crossed the Gari on May 14th and took part in the advance to Piedimonte from May 19th-25th. It crossed the Melfa on May 28th and the Liri on the May 30th. Guarcino was captured on June 4th. The brigade then concentrated at Canalupo for the advance to Terni on June 12th. It then served in the advance to Florence starting from Montigiano on July 23rd. It reached Pde Rocco on July 26th and then advanced from Montespertoli to Buttinaccio with the 12th Canadian Armoured Regiment. The brigade then advanced to the Arno on August 3rd-4th and advanced into Florence on August 12th. It captured M. Giovi and M. Calcana on September 6th-8th, M. Citerna on September 12th-13th and Alpe di Vitagliano on September 13th-15th. Femmina Morta was captured on September 15th-18th followed by M. Romano and M. Pianerena on October 7th-22nd. The advance continued from October 23rd-31st. The brigade was then placed into an extended front to Vena Del Cesso from November 19th to December 17th. A period of relative inactivity followed during the winter of 1944-45 and then the final assault on the Senio took place on April 9th, 1945 followed by the advance to the Santerno on April 10th-11th and the crossing of the Po on April 25th-26th.
    The battalion remained in northern Italy until early June. It then entrained for Taranto and embarked there in late June for India. It arrived in Bombay on July 10th and moved to the regimental centre at Ambala for leave.
     
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  5. RobG64

    RobG64 Well-Known Member

    Thank you as ever DRyan67 for your prompt reply. Wonderful, I can update my records accordingly!

    Best regards
    RobG64
     
  6. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here is the 7th Indian Infantry Brigade:

    7th Indian Infantry Brigade - A new 7th Indian Infantry Brigade was raised at Poona October 1939.

    4/11th Sikh Regiment 10/39 - 3/42 - remained at Delhi till 8/40
    4/16th Punjab Regiment 10/39 - 6/44
    3/15th Punjab Regiment 11/39 - 6/40
    3/14th Punjab Regiment 7/40 - 10/40
    1st Royal Sussex Regiment 22/11/40 - 8/7/45
    1/2nd Gurkha Rifles 7/4/42 - 31/8/45
    2/11th Sikh Regiment 19/6/44 - 31/8/45
    2nd Highland Light Infantry 8/7/45 - 31/8/45

    1/6th Rajputana Rifles 2/44 - 3/44 - attached
    4/6th Rajputana Rifles 2/44 - 2/44 - attached
    2nd Cameron Highlanders 6/2/44 - 27/3/44 - attached
    9/44 - 10/44 - attached
    2/7th Gurkha Rifles 2/44 - 3/44 - attached
    3/10th Baluch Regiment 23/4/44 - 14/6/44 - attached

    Location Statement
    India 10/39 - 25/9/40
    At sea 25/9/40 - 10/40
    Egypt 10/40 - 30/12/40
    Sudan and East Africa 30/12/40 - 26/4/41
    Egypt 26/4/41 - 30/4/41
    Libya 30/4/41 - 26/2/42
    Egypt 26/2/42 - 31/3/42
    Cyprus 31/3/42 - 25/8/42
    Egypt and Western Desert 25/8/42 - 31/3/43
    Tunisia 31/3/43 - 8/7/43
    Egypt 8/7/43 - 13/9/43
    Palestine 13/9/43 - 16/11/43
    Egypt 16/11/43 - 9/12/43
    Italy 9/12/43 - 3/11/44
    Greece 3/11/44 - 31/8/45
     
  7. IKE26

    IKE26 Active Member

    Does anyone know in which company were the four Martial class (Punjab Mussulman, Sikh, Pashtun, Jats) allotted in the 3/15th during italian campaign?
     
  8. Richard Swetenham

    Richard Swetenham New Member

    Very glad to have come across this post. Am researching family history. 3/15 Punjabis is the successor of the 27th Punjabis, commanded at the end of the 1890s by my great-great-uncle Robert Alexander Swetenham. His grandson Robert West Swetenham Bell was awarded an emergency Indian Army commission as 2/Lt on 2 May 1941, was with 3/15 Punjabis and as Capt/T/Maj was awarded an MC.
     
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  9. Richard Swetenham

    Richard Swetenham New Member

    Who were the 3/15 Punjabis brigaded with in 21st Indian Infantry Brigade ?
     
  10. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    With 1/5th Mahratta Light Infantry and 5th Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
     
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  11. Richard Swetenham

    Richard Swetenham New Member

    Thank you kindly
     
  12. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here is my current order of battle for 21st Indian Infantry Brigade completed within the past few weeks:

    21st Indian Infantry Brigade - Raised 15 September 1940 at Quetta.

    4/13th Frontier Force Rifles 9/40 - 4/8/42
    2/4th Gurkha Rifles 10/40 - 11/4/42
    2/10th Gurkha Rifles 15/9/40 - 22/10/41
    1st Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry 5/12/41 - 11/7/42
    2/8th Gurkha Rifles 5/42 - 16/1/43
    1/6th Rajputana Rifles 11/7/42 - 25/11/42
    1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 23/7/42 - 23/8/42
    3/7th Rajput Regiment 23/8/42 - 22/11/42
    5th Royal West Kent Regiment 26/11/42 - 5/6/45
    1/5th Mahratta Light Infantry 11/42 - 31/8/45
    3/15th Punjab Regiment 1/43 - 31/8/45

    As noted by member sol, 5th Royal West Kents and 1/5th Mahratta Light Infantry served in 21st Indian Brigade with 3/15th Punjab Regiment. 5th Royal West Kents were left behind when 21st Brigade left Italy and returned to India.
     
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