When did 1/6th Rajputana Rifles transfer from 20th Indian Brigade to 21st Indian Brigade?

Discussion in 'British Indian Army' started by dryan67, Jan 14, 2021.

  1. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    During the confusing period from 26 May 1942 through 23 October 1942, many changes in assignment occurred, particularly before and during the 1st Alamein battle. I am trying to track down some of these changes.

    The 1/6th Rajputana Rifles left Taji Camp in Baghdad on May 24th, 1942 with the 1st South Wales Borderers under the 20th Indian Infantry Brigade. The 1/6th Rajputanas arrived at Amiryia on June 2nd with the brigade. After a few more moves, the 1/6th Rajputanas arrived at Sidi Rezegh on June 6th to take up defensive positions. On June 16th, it was attacked there and remnants were forced to withdraw from Sidi Rezegh Ridge. On June 18th, the two other battalions of the 20th Indian Brigade were attacked during the withdrawal eastward and also decimated. 20th Brigade HQ, the 97th Field Regiment and the 1/6th Rajputana Rifles had taken a different route and got through. This is the last reference I have of the 1/6th Rajputana Rifles with 20th Indian Brigade.

    The next reference I have to the 1/6th Rajputana Rifles is when the 2/8th Gurkha Rifles joined up with the two other battalions of 21st Indian Brigade (4/13th Frontier Force Rifles and the 1/6th Rajputana Rifles) in a defensive position south of Qassaba, 18 miles east of Mersa Matruh on June 28th.

    It appears that since the 1/6th Rajputana Rifles was not in as bad shape as the rest of the 20th Indian Brigade, which was sent back to the Delta after June 18th, that the Battalion was retained at the front for further operations. This happened sometime between June 18th and June 28th. I am trying to find the exact date of this transfer. A likely date would be June 25th, 1942, when 21st Indian Brigade reached Mersa Matruh, but I have no confirmation of this.

    Can anyone confirm the date of the transfer of the 1/6th Rajputana Rifles from 20th Indian Brigade to 21st Indian Brigade in June 1942?
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2021

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