2nd and 4th/5th Royal Sussex transfer to 6th Indian Division 1943

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by dryan67, May 13, 2020.

  1. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    As part of order of battle work for Indian Brigades, I am trying to ascertain the transfer of the 2nd and 4th/5th Battalions, Royal Sussex Regiment from 132nd Infantry Brigade in Egypt to 24th and 27th Indian Infantry Brigades of 6th Indian Division in Iraq.

    The 2nd, 4th and 5th Battalions, Royal Sussex Regiment left 132nd Infantry Brigade on December 31st, 1942. On January 1st, 1943 the 4th and 5th Battalions were amalgamated as the 4th/5th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. Also on that date, the 10th Parachute Battalion was formed from drafts of these three battalions.

    They next appear as follows based on Joslen's Orders of Battle:

    2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment joined 24th Indian Brigade in Iraq on April 2, 1943
    4th/5th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment joined 27th Indian Brigade in Iraq on February, 1, 1943

    Kempton's Loyalty and Honour seems to use Joslen's dates.

    It seems straight forward so far, but there is always a 'monkey wrench thrown into the works'. Another source, Perry's Armies of the Commonwealth Part 3B (National Army Museum) has the following assignments for the two battalions:

    2nd Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment
    u/c 27th Indian Brigade - January to March 1943
    u/c 24th Indian Brigade - April to June 1945
    4th/5th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment
    u/c 24th Indian Brigade - February to April 1943
    u/c 27th Indian Brigade - April to July 1945

    Perry's assignments seem to make some sense since they cover the gap regarding 2nd Battalion's arrival in Iraq, January rather than April.

    In any case, I have Martineau's regimental history, but it is too broad (1701-1953) to cover this move in any detail.

    Can anyone confirm any of this information on the moves and assignment of these two battalions from January to April 1943?
     
  2. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    I just wanted to bump this up one more time in case someone who has some information missed it. Thanks.
     

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