30th Indian Brigade

The 30th Indian Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Indian Army that saw active service with the Indian Army during the First World War. It initially saw active service in Egypt in 1915, before transferring to Mesopotamia. It took part in a number of battles and actions before being besieged at Kut and going into Turkish captivity in April 1916.

For the Second World War formation, see 30th Indian Infantry Brigade.

30th Indian Brigade
ActiveOctober 1914 – 29 April 1916
Country British India
AllegianceBritish Crown
Branch British Indian Army
TypeInfantry
SizeBrigade
Part of10th Indian Division
12th Indian Division
6th (Poona) Division
EngagementsFirst World War
Sinai and Palestine Campaign
Actions on the Suez Canal
Mesopotamian Campaign
Battle of Shaiba
Battle of Ctesiphon (1915)
Siege of Kut
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Br.-Gen. C.J. Melliss

History
Formation

The 30th Indian Brigade was formed in October 1914 as part of Indian Expeditionary Force F (along with the 28th and 29th Indian Brigades) and sent to Egypt.[1]

10th Indian Division

After arriving in Egypt, it joined the 10th Indian Division when it was formed on 24 December. It served on the Suez Canal Defences, notably taking part in the Actions on the Suez Canal on 3–4 February 1915. After the defeat of the Turkish attempts to cross the canal, the division was dispersed and the brigade was sent to Mesopotamia in March 1915.[2]

12th Indian Division

The brigade joined the 12th Indian Division in Mesopotamia in April 1915.[3] With the division, the brigade took part in the Battle of Shaiba (12–14 April), the Affair of Khafajiya (14–16 May), the Actions for Nasiriya (5, 13–14, 24 July) and the Occupation of Nasiriya (25 July).[4]

6th (Poona) Division

The brigade was attached to the 6th (Poona) Division in September 1915.[5] It took part in the Battle of Kut al Amara (28 September), the Battle of Ctesiphon (22–24 November) and the Affair of Umm at Tubul (1 December). After the Battle of Ctesiphon it was decided to withdraw the division to Kut where it was besieged. With the fall of Kut in April 1916, the brigade passed into Turkish captivity.[6]

Order of battle

The brigade commanded the following units in the First World War:[7][8][9]

Commander

The brigade was commanded throughout its existence in the First World War by Major-General C.J. Melliss VC.[11][12][5] He went into captivity with his brigade.

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See also

Notes
  1. The other half of the 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) was assigned to the 34th Indian Brigade, 12th Indian Division in January 1916;[3] the battalion was brought back up to full strength in 15th Indian Division in June 1916.[10]

References
  1. Perry 1993, p. 172
  2. Perry 1993, p. 118
  3. Perry 1993, p. 125
  4. Perry 1993, p. 126
  5. Perry 1993, p. 74
  6. Perry 1993, p. 78
  7. Perry 1993, p. 116
  8. Perry 1993, p. 124
  9. Perry 1993, p. 76
  10. Perry 1993, p. 134
  11. Perry 1993, p. 115
  12. Perry 1993, p. 123

Bibliography
  • Perry, F.W. (1993). Order of Battle of Divisions Part 5B. Indian Army Divisions. Newport: Ray Westlake Military Books. ISBN 1-871167-23-X.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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