Units in Italy and Burma

Discussion in 'Italy' started by 13thbattalion, Mar 11, 2022.

  1. 13thbattalion

    13thbattalion Active Member

    Hi, does anyone have a list of units that served in Italy and then Burma or vice versa.
    Thanks
     
  2. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    None from what I know.

    Only Lt Gen Leese and some of his Eighth Army served in both theatres.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  3. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    The only unit that served in Burma and then in Italy, as far as I know, was 7th Armoured Brigade, with 2nd Royal Tank Regiment and 7th Hussars and its supporting units like 414th Battery of 104th Field Regiment RHA or A Battery of 95th AT Regiment RA. But I don't think any other unit went from Burma to Italy or other way. Some units that fought in the North Africa went to Burma, but I am not aware of any unit from Italy to do that. Maybe some RAF units ... I don't know.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2022
    minden1759 likes this.
  4. Skoyen89

    Skoyen89 Senior Member

    Why do you ask? Whilst there were few whole units a number of individuals served in Burma (say in 1942), were 'time expired' and returned to the UK and then served in Italy or Western Europe. Hence they would have had the two stars in their medals.
     
  5. Ewen Scott

    Ewen Scott Well-Known Member

    A number of RAF units moved from the Mediterranean theatre over time but the only two I can think of moving specifically from Italy to serve in Burma are 81 and 267 squadrons.

    81 squadron was withdrawn from Italy in Nov 1943, collected new Spitfire VIII in the Middle East and went on to India and Burma in Dec. Also 267 squadron moved from Italy to Burma in Feb 1945.

    Some USAAF units also did. 12th BG, 81st FG and 427th NFS.

    There may be some battalions in the various Indian divisions that swapped between the two theatres over time.

    Do you specifically mean Italy and Burma or the Mediterranean / Middle East and India/Burma/SEAC area more generally. A couple of Australian brigades spent time in Ceylon in 1942 on defensive duties on their way home from North Africa for example. Or 5th British Division sent to India in 1942, but saw no action before moving to the Middle East and then Italy.
     
  6. sol

    sol Very Senior Member

    No Indian battalion went from Italy in Burma. Some Indian units that fought in the North Africa or were placed in the Middle East and Persia later fought in Burma, but none of those that were sent to Italy would end in Burma before the end of war. Same for opposite, none of those Indian units from Burma saw any actions in the Mediterranean theater. Some persons might, but no whole units
     
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