When did 71st Indian Infantry Brigade arrive in the Arakan?

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by dryan67, May 16, 2021.

  1. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    I am trying to find when the 71st Indian Infantry Brigade arrived in the Arakan around February 1943? The brigade consisted of the 1st Lincolnshire Regiment, the 7/15th Punjab Regiment and the 9/15th Punjab Regiment at that time. Here are some facts that I have gleaned from a number of sources:

    22-24/1/43 - General Irwin ordered 71st Brigade (Brigadier G.G.C. Bull) from 26th Indian Division to move forward to Chittagong as a reserve for 14th Division.

    1/2/43 - 7/15th Punjab Regiment arrived Cox’s Bazaar and took over from 9th Jats under command 47th Brigade. One Platoon ‘C’ Company was sent on Detachment to Tumbru Ghat.

    6/2/43 - 7/15th Punjab Regiment M.T. and Carriers arrived Cox’s Bazaar by sea from Calcutta.

    9/2/43 - 7/15th Punjab Regiment received orders from 47th Brigade to proceed to Indin.

    10/2/43 - 7/15th Punjab Regiment A.T. plus 14 A.T. Carts lent by Jaipur Pony Company left Cox’s Bazaar for Maungdaw (Route Cox’s Bazaar, Ramkhapalong, Nawpara, Bawli Bazaar, Maungdaw).

    11/2/43 - 7/15th Punjab Regiment less A.T. marched to Maungdaw (Route Cox’s Bazaar, Ramkhapalong, Tumbru Ghat then by River Steamer to Maungdaw).

    11/2/43 - 1st Lincolns moved to Arakan. [1st Lincolns arrived in mid-February and disembarked from river steamers at Maungdaw, from where they marched south. At Indin, they went to harbour.

    13/2/43 - 7/15th Punjab Regiment and A.T. arrived Maungdaw and spend night in Staging Camp.

    14/2/43 - 7/15th Punjab Regiment marched to Lamba Gona and spent night at Staging Camp.

    15/2/43 - 7/15th Punjab Regiment marched to Indin. Brigadier Bull (71st Brigade, 26th Division), Lt. Col. Lowther (1/17th Dogra) arrived Twin Knobs.

    16/2/43 - 7/15th Punjab Regiment arrived Indin 0030 hours and moved into dispersal area. 9/15th Punjab left Calcutta for Chittagong.

    18/2/43 - 7/15th Punjab Regiment carried out Exercise Cutting Paths through Jungle. During this period [18/2/43], 71st Brigade had been ordered to concentrate at Indin.

    21/2/43 - Relief of 1/7th Rajputs and 2/1st Punjab Regiment in the chaung area completed without incident by 7/15th Punjab Regiment.

    22/3/43 - 1st Inniskillings orders now are to remain in this area until 9/15th Punjab arrive when 1 Company 9/15th Punjab will take over protection of guns from us. 1st Lincolns took over part of the line from 1st Inniskillings with the 7/15th Punjab on the left.

    24/3/43 - Shinkali - At 1800 hours 1st Inniskillings handed over our commitments to 9/15th Punjab. 71st Indian Infantry Brigade relieved 55th Indian Infantry Brigade in the Donbaik area.

    25/2/43 - Information received that 1/17th Dogras was to be relieved on 26th February by 9/15th Punjab Regiment.

    It appears that the 7/15th Punjab was the first to arrive at Cox's Bazaar on February 1st, 1943. The 1st Lincolns appeared to be next with the regimental history stating that they "moved to the Arakan on February 11th, 1943". The final arrival seems to be the 9/15th Punjab, which is not mentioned until February 22nd. Brigade HQ is first referenced on February 15th, when Brigadier Bull arrived on the Donbaik front.

    Does anyone have more specific dates for the following? - Departure from India (which port?) and arrival in the Arakan (which port?) for each of the following:

    HQ 71st Indian Infantry Brigade
    1st Lincolnshire Regiment
    7/15th Punjab Regiment
    9/15th Punjab Regiment
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2021
    Rothy likes this.

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