1st Indian Cavalry Division

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=1st Indian Cavalry Division


caption=
dates=1914 - 1918
country=India
allegiance=
branch=British Indian Army
type=Cavalry
role=
size= Division
command_structure= Indian Cavalry Corps
current_commander=
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

History

The 1st Indian Cavalry Division was a regular division of the British Indian Army. The division sailed for France from Bombay on October 16 , 1914 , under the command of Major General H D Fanshawe. The division would be re designated the 4th Cavalry Division , in November 1916.During the war the Division would serve in the trenches as infantry due to the difference on troop levels each Cavalry Brigade once dismounted formed a dismounted regiment. The high number of officer casualties suffered early on had an effect on its later performance. British officers that understood the language, customs, and psychology of their men could not be quickly replaced, and the alien enviroment of the Western Front had some effect on the soldiers. [Haythornthwaite P.J. (1992). "The World War One Sourcebook", Arms and Armour Press.] The 1st Indian Cavalry Division served in France and Flanders until March 1918 when it was broken up and reformed in Egypt as the 1st Mounted Division. [cite web|title=warpath|url=http://www.warpath.orbat.com/indian_cav/1_ind_cav_div.htm]

Order of Battle

2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade

:17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own):6th King Edward's Own Cavalry :19th Lancers (Fane's Horse):Signal Troop [cite web|title=cwgc.org|url=http://www.cwgc.org/ypres/content.asp?id=33&menu=subsub]

3rd (Ambala) Cavalry Brigade

:8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars:9th Hodson's Horse :30th Lancers (Gordon's Horse):Signal Troop [cite web|title=cwgc.org|url=http://www.cwgc.org/ypres/content.asp?id=33&menu=subsub]

8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade

:1st (King's) Dragoon Guards:29th Lancers (Deccan Horse) :36th Jacob's Horse:Signal Troop [cite web|title=cwgc.org|url=http://www.cwgc.org/ypres/content.asp?id=33&menu=subsub]

References