History of the 12th Indian Division
The division was formed in Mesopotamia in late March 1915, bringing together the 12th Indian Infantry Brigade (which was already there), 30th Indian Infantry Brigade (then on its was from Egypt), and 33rd Indian Infantry Brigade (some of which was en route from India). As things turned out, it never reached full establishment, for units were frequently pulled away to support the advance towards Baghdad in 1916 and then the effort to relieve the besieged garrison at Kut-al-Amara in 1916. The division formally ceased to exist on 10 March 1916. It did, however, take part in the following:
Under command of Major-General George Frederick Gorringe
- The Battle of Shaiba (12-14 April 1915, 30th Brigade only)
- The Affait of Khafajiyeh (14-16 May 1915, 30th Brigade only)
- Actions for Nasiriyeh (5, 13-14 and 24 July 1917, 12th and 30th Brigades only)
- Occupation of Nasiriyeh (25 July 1915)
- The Affair of Butaniyeh (14 January 1916)
Order of battle
The following is the divisional order of battle at the point of reorganisation of Indian Expeditionary Force “D” in Mesopotamia on 1 April 1915:
Divisional headquarters
Cavalry:
33rd Cavalry (less two squadrons that were with 6th (Poona) Division)
Artillery:
1/5th Hampshire (Howitzer) Battery Royal Field Artillery
86th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
104th Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
Engineers:
12th Company, Sappers & Miners
Sirmur Imperial Service Company, Sappers & Miners
12th Divisional Signal Company
Infantry:
12th Indian Infantry Brigade
- 2nd Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
- 4th Prince Albert Victor’s Rajputs
- 44th Merwara Infantry
- 90th Punjabis
30th Indian Infantry Brigade
- 24th Punjabis
- 76th Punjabis
- 2/7th Gurkha Rifles
33rd Indian Infantry Brigade (this brigade was broken up in December 1915)
- 1/4th Battalion Hampshire Regiment
- 11th Rajputs
- 66th Punjabis
- 67th Punjabis