6th Poona Divisional Area

The 6th Poona Divisional Area was an infantry division of the British Indian Army that formed part of the Indian Army during the First World War. It was formed in October 1914 to replace the original 6th (Poona) Division that had been mobilized in September 1914 for service in Mesopotamia. It was renamed as Poona Division in June 1917 and remained in India throughout the war. The division was redesignated as Poona District in 1920.

For the original division, see 6th (Poona) Division.

6th Poona Divisional Area
Poona Division
ActiveOctober 1914 – June 1920
Country British India
AllegianceBritish Crown
Branch British Indian Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
Part ofSouthern Army
Southern Command
Garrison/HQPoona
ServiceFirst World War
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Maj.-Gen. G.F. Gorringe
Brig.-Gen. F.J. Fowler

History

At the outbreak of the First World War, the 6th (Poona) Division was mobilized in September 1914 and sailed from Bombay on 16 October for Mesopotamia.[1] The 6th Poona Divisional Area was formed in October 1914 to take over the area responsibilities of the 6th (Poona) Division. It took over the units left behind by the original division and initially only commanded Bombay Brigade, joined by the reformed Poona Brigade in December. However, the Ahmednagar Brigade was not formed until May 1918, followed by the 58th and 59th Indian Brigades in June. Bombay Brigade became independent in the same month.[2]

The division served in India throughout the war, initially under Southern Army, then Southern Command from January 1918. From early 1918, the division was responsible for a significant part of the expansion of the British Indian Army.[2]

In 1918, the division was responsible for posts and stations at Ahmednagar, Anandi, Arangaon, Belgaum, Dhond, Kirkee, Kholapur, Manmad, Poona and Satara. Bombay Brigade was responsible for Ahmedabad, Baroda, Bombay, Colaba, Dadar, Deolali, Nasik, Rajkot and Santa Cruz. It was renamed Poona Division in June 1917[3] and was redesignated as Poona District in June 1920.[4]

Order of battle

The division commanded the following brigades in the First World War:[3]

  • Bombay Brigade – joined in October 1914 from 6th (Poona) Division; became an independent formation in June 1918
  • Poona Brigade[lower-alpha 1] – formed in December 1914
  • Ahmednagar Brigade[lower-alpha 1] – formed in May 1918
  • 58th Indian Brigade – formed in June 1918; transferred to 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division in November 1918
  • 59th Indian Brigade – formed in June 1918; transferred to 2nd (Rawalpindi) Division in November 1918

Commanders

The 6th Poona Divisional Area / Poona Division had the following commanders:[4][3]

FromRankNameNotes
October 1914Major-GeneralGeorge Frederick Gorringe
16 March 1915Brigadier-GeneralHarry Triscott Brooking
29 July 1915Brigadier-GeneralMaitland Cowper
22 November 1915Major-GeneralRichard Wapshare
2 December 1916Brigadier-GeneralFrancis John Fowler
22 July 1917Lieutenant-GeneralSir Michael Joseph TigheRedesignated as Poona District in June 1920
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See also

Notes
  1. 6th (Poona) Division mobilized with 16th (Poona), 17th (Ahmednagar) and 18th (Belgaum) Brigades.[5] They are not to be confused with the Poona and Ahmednagar Brigades reformed in the 6th Poona Divisional Area. Belgaum Brigade was not reformed.[3]

References
  1. Perry 1993, p. 78
  2. Perry 1993, p. 82
  3. Perry 1993, p. 79
  4. Mackie 2015, p. 358
  5. Perry 1993, p. 76

Bibliography
  • Gaylor, John (1996). Sons of John Company: The Indian and Pakistan Armies 1903–1991 (2nd ed.). Tunbridge Wells: Parapress. ISBN 1-898594-41-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Mackie, Colin (June 2015). "Army Commands 1900-2011" (PDF). www.gulabin.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • 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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