Hypothesis .... need suggestions

Discussion in 'British Indian Army' started by Ahmed Muhammad, Sep 16, 2017.

  1. "1878 - 2nd infantry Brigade Kabul Field Force
    1902 - 2nd infantry Brigade
    Brigade commander, Brigadier wilcox
    1903- redesignated 2nd (Nowshehra) Infantry Brigade1st Peshawar Division
    Brigade Commander Brigadier Wilcox
    1905- Rawalpindi Parade
    1919- 3rd Afghan war and stationed at Landikotal till raising of Landi Kotal Frontier Brigade (1920) and returned to Noshehra
    1930s- MOFOR in Mohmand
    1945- Relocated at Thall when Thall Frontier Brigade is absorbed in Bannu Independant Brigade to cover Kurrum Axis
    1947- Goes to Pakistan Army"

    Does this prove 2nd (Noshera) Infantry Brigade in 1945 was actually 2nd Infantry Brigade of Kabul Field Force????

    Key to my supposition is Brigadier Wilcox being commander of 2nd Brigade in 1902 onwards (Before Kitchener Reforms 1903, which brought into existence 2nd (Noshera) Infantry Brigade of 1st Peshawar Division Northern Command.
     
  2. RobG64

    RobG64 Well-Known Member

    Hello Ahmed, I can only comment on WW2 as that is the area of my interest:

    The Defence of India Plan (1927-1929) was drawn up to respond to a Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. This was amended in 1931 (Pink Plan) to consider hostile Afghan intentions. The Army of India was organised as follows:

    1st Indian Division (Rawalpindi: HQ "A" Corps)
    1st (Abbottabad), 2nd (Rawalpindi), 3rd (Jhelum) Infantry Brigades and 1st (Risalpur) Cavalry Brigades
    2nd Indian Division (Quetta; HQ "B" Corps)
    4th (Quetta), 5th (Quetta) Infantry Brigades and 2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade
    3rd Indian Division (Meerut - allocated to "A" Corps)
    6th (Lucknow), 7th (Dehra Dun), 8th (Bareilly), 9th (Jhansi) Infantry Brigades and 3rd (Meerut) Cavalry Brigades
    4th Indian Division (Deccan - allocated to "B" Corps)
    10th (Jubbulpore), 11th (Ahmednagar), 12th (Secunderabad) Infantry Brigades and 4th (Secunderabad) Cavalry Brigade

    In the 1938 Army reforms (Plan of Operations (India)), the Field Army was abolished and became Districts:
    1st Indian Division became Rawalpindi District
    2nd Indian Division became Western (Independent) District with 4th, 5th and 2nd Cavalry Brigades becoming Sind, Quetta and Sialkot Brigade Areas
    3rd Indian Division became Meerut District
    4th Indian Division became Deccan District
    The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Infantry Brigades and 1st, 3rd and 4th Cavalry Brigades remained intact

    Upon the outbreak of WW2, 2nd (Rawalpindi) Brigade was in effect the NW Frontier training formation. It was involved in the Ahmedzai operation from 3rd February to 24th April 1940. On 1st October 1940 the Brigade Signal Section and two infantry battalions of the brigade were transferred to Wah to create 16th Indian Infantry Brigade, thus effectively disbanding the brigade. Brigade elements were then re-designated the Garrison & Training Formation for the Rawalpindi Area. The brigade was not re-raised during WW2

    Regards
    Rob
     
    Charley Fortnum likes this.
  3. Really great if you to give the information. It will test the hypothesis. MOFOR Mohmand Force operations in 1930s includs reference of 2 (Noshera) Infantry Brigade repeatedly. Of course the brigade is not traceable 1938 onwards, as I found it earlier as well. I have lead from your post and will trace it in districts...great contribution.
    Thanx a lot
     

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