13th Indian Infantry Brigade

The Brigade was formed at Cambellpore, India on 1st October 1940 under the command of the 7th Indian Infantry Division.  On 6th February 1941, the Brigade was advised that it had been earmarked for a special role and was to be withdrawn from the Division.  A month later, on 7th March 1941, details of Scheme ‘Belief’ were sent to Brigade Headquarters from Army Headquarters, confirming that the Brigade was to proceed overseas as an independent brigade group and that Calcutta would be the port of embarkation.  The eventual destination was not revealed.[1] 

The Brigade transferred overseas in two phases or ‘flights’.  The ‘First Flight’, made up of the Brigade Headquarters, the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment and other elements, less animals, entrained at Cambellpore and left for Calcutta on 16th March 1941.  Upon arrival at Calcutta on 20th March, the troops immediately embarked upon the S.S. ‘Karoa’.  Together with the S.S. ‘Ellenga’, the ship then sailed for Rangoon.  On the first day at sea, 21st March, Brigadier Curtis opened his sealed orders.  These detailed Force ‘Belief’ for service in Burma, with Mandalay being the immediate destination for the Brigade Group.  After arrival at Rangoon on 23rd March, the Brigade Headquarters disembarked for an overnight stay in Rangoon.  Orders were received from H.Q. Army in Burma detailing the Brigade to form part of the general reserve, reinforcing the current frontier garrisons.  On 24th March, the men and equipment were loaded on to a train for Mandalay and the motor transport column left the following day.  After arrival at Mandalay the next day, the men went into their accommodation in and around Fort Dufferin.[2]

Accompanying the Brigade Headquarters was the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment.  The Battalion also travelled on the ‘Karoa’ and moved to Mandalay after arrival at Rangoon on 23rd March.  At Mandalay, the Battalion moved into the South Gate Lines at Fort Dufferin.[3]

The second ‘Flight’ included the 2nd Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment and the 1st Battalion, 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles and did not leave Cambellpore until 26th March 1941.  The Rajputs had sent their animals on ahead from Cambellpore on 16th March and the Battalion, less ‘D’ Company, left by train for Calcutta ten days later.  ‘D’ Company followed the next day.  Similarly, the 1st Battalion, Royal Garhwal Rifles, less ‘B’ Company, also left Cambellpore by train on 26th March, with ‘B’ Company following the next day.  Both Battalions arrived at Calcutta on 30th March, the Rajputs immediately boarded the S.S. ‘Karoa’ and the Garhwalis the S.S. ‘Ellenga’.  Both ships sailed the next day, 31st March, and arrived at Rangoon on 3rd April.  Upon arrival, both battalions disembarked to spend the night at the transit camp at Rangoon Jail.  The next day, they left Rangoon by train for Mandalay where they arrived the following day.  The Rajputs moved into the S & M (Sappers and Miners) Lines and the Garhwalis moved into the North Gate Lines, both at Fort Dufferin.[4]

In March 1941, the role of the 13th Indian Brigade had been set out in the Brigade’s Operation Instruction No.1, based on instructions issued by the Headquarters, Army in Burma.  The most important mission of the Army in Burma was given as the protection of the Air Reinforcement Route to the Far East.  The most vulnerable part of this route was Tenasserim and a brigade group, 2nd Burma Brigade, was deployed there, supported by detachments of the Burma Frontier Force to guard the aerodromes at Moulmein, Tavoy and Mergui.  Next, or equal, in importance was the port of Rangoon and the oil refinery at Syriam, the protection of which was given over to other troops.  A possible invasion route was the road which rain Tachilek-Loimwe-Taunggyi-Thali through the Southern Shan States.  The area around Taunggyi was covered by the 1st Burma Brigade and detachments of the Burma Frontier Force were at Loimwe and Monghpayak.  A mobile detachment of the Burma Frontier Force, F.F.1 was stationed at Kutkai.[5]

Taking into account this assessment and the current troop deployments, the role given to the 13th Indian Brigade, as part of the General Reserve, was to reinforce the frontier garrisons in the event of war.  Depending on the military situation arising, the Brigade was to maintain all units under command at four days notice to move to one or other of the following areas:

- the southern line on the approaches from central and southern Thailand,
- the centre line covering the approaches from northern Thailand,
- the northern line covering an advance from Yunnan.

The Brigade was expected to be called upon either as a whole or in part to move to Tenasserim, the Southern Shan States or to oppose an enemy advance down the road between China and Burma.  For the time being, the Brigade and attached troops were to form part of the Upper Burma Area, under the command of the Brigade.  While all units were training, during April, May and June, the Brigade commander, Brigadier A.C. Curtis made visits to reconnoitre the areas identified for possible future operations.  In July, the Brigade participated in an exercise in which reconnaissance groups were sent by the Brigade from Mandalay to Taunggyi in the Southern Shan States.  As tensions rose, in August the H.Q. Army in Burma ordered the 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Regiment, the 5th Burma Rifles and the 5th Field Battery, B.A.F. to Taunggyi, all under the command of the 1st Burma Brigade.[6]

In August 1941, the infantry of the 13th Indian Brigade were located as follows:

- 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment – Mandalay,
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment – arrived Meiktila from Mandalay 17th August,
- 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Rifles – arrived Meiktila from Mandalay 19th August.[7]

The 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment left Mandalay on 31st August 1941 for camp at Thazi, arriving on 5th September.[8]

On 20th October 1941, a warning order was issued directing the 13th Indian Brigade to prepare for a permanent move to the area Namsang-Loilem-Hopong to the west of Taunggyi on about 15th November.   A movement order was issued just four days later detailing the movement of the full Brigade to concentration areas at Taunggyi.  The order of battle of major units of the 13th Indian Brigade as per this order was:

H.Q. 13th Indian Infantry Brigade:
- 23rd Mountain Battery, Indian Artillery,
- 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment,
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment,
- 1st Battalion, 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles,
- 28th Mule Company.

The Brigade moved by rail to Shenenyaung and then marched to temporary camps at East Taunggyi and Loilem.  The Advanced Brigade Headquarters opened in the Taunggyi-Loilem area on 17th November 1941.  Brigade Headquarters and support units arrived two days later, followed by the 2nd Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment and the 28th Mule Company on 20th November.  The next day saw the arrival of the 23rd Mountain Battery and the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment.  The 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Rifles arrived the following day, 21st November.  The Rajputs and Punjabis moved out to the Loilem area, the 2nd Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment arriving on 23rd November, followed two days later by the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment, arriving 25th November.  When the 13th Indian Brigade arrived in the Taunggyi-Loilem area, the Burma Frontier Force column, F.F.4 at Loilem came under command for training.  On 1st December, Brigadier Curtis left on leave and command of the Brigade was assumed by Lt. Colonel A.E. Barlow.[9]

Following the entry of the Japanese into the war, on 9th December 1941 the Brigade received orders from the 1st Burma Division that it was to remain in place to defend the Southern Shan States area.  The Southern Shan States was divided into two areas of responsibility.  The area to the east of the Salween River and south of the Loilem-Kentung road was assigned to the 1st Burma Brigade.  The area east of the Salween River, from the track between Wan Has La, Mongton and Ban Me Ai down to the Salween Civil District, and to the west of the Salween and east of the Hopong-Kemapyu road, including Karenni, was assigned to the 13th Indian Brigade.  The Burma Frontier Force columns in the Kemapyu area, F.F.5 and F.F.4, less one bicycle column, were attached to the Brigade.[10]  All units were placed on short notice to move to war stations.  On 12th December, ‘A’ Company of the 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Rifles was sent to Bawlake, to the south of Taunggyi, south of Loikaw.  F.F.4 was sent to garrison crossings over the Salween, with one column foreword in the Monghta-Monghang-Mongton area.  The 2nd Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment was issued a warning order on 10th December to move to Mongpan, near the border with Thailand.  However, this order was cancelled later that day but the Battalion was to remain on 48 hours notice to move.  The Brigade Commando Platoon, with the Commando Platoon of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment, left Loilem for Mongpan on 15th December. [11] [12]  

December was a confusing time for the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment.  On 11th December, instructions from the H.Q. 1st Burma Brigade indicated that the probable task of the Battalion would be to defend Takan, holding the road and ferry.  The Commanding Officer and Company Commanders set off to reconnoitre the area on 13th December.  The 13th Indian Brigade then ordered the Battalion to undertake an immediate reconnaissance of defensive positions astride the Namsang-Takaw road at the Nampang River.  This was followed on 29th December by orders from the Headquarters, 1st Burma Division that the probable location for the Battalion was to be in the area of the meeting of the Salween and Nampang Rivers.  The next day the Commanding Officer and Company Commanders set off on their third such reconnaissance of the month.[13]

On 27th December 1941, F.F.1 was moved via Lashio to Pangkem on the Loimwe road in the Southern Shan States where they arrived on 5th January 1942.  The Mounted Infantry Column was detached and sent to Mongsat, south of the Loimwe road near the Mekong River where it came under the command of “Turcol”, itself under the command of the 1st Burma Brigade whose headquarters were at Loimwe.  The Kachin Column together with the motor transport (and thus referred to as the “Motorised Column”), was placed under the command of the 13th Indian Infantry Brigade and sent to Loikaw with orders to patrol the road and to make contact with ‘A’ Company of the 1st Battalion, 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles at Bawlake.[14] 

‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Battalion joined ‘A’ Company at Bawlake on 23rd December.  On Boxing Day, the Mechanised Column, F.F.1 came under command of the 13th Indian Brigade.  Two days later, a column known as ‘Olcol’ was despatched to Wan Panglao, near Mongping.  On 29th December, ‘D’ Company of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment was sent to Wanhat to relieve a column of F.F.4 which returned to Mongpan.  At the end of December it was decided that the 13th Indian Brigade should evacuate Taunggyi.  The 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Rifles, less ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies at Bawlake, moved to Kemapyu on 31st December.  The Brigade Headquarters went to Loilem and the Brigade Commando unit was sent to Mongpan where it came under the command of F.F.4. [15] 

The dispositions of the 13th Indian Brigade on 31st December 1941/2nd January 1942 were:

Loilem:
- 13th Indian Infantry Brigade Headquarters,
- 23rd Mountain Battery, Indian Artillery,
- 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment,
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment - on short notice to move to Mongpan.

Mongpan:
- Brigade Commando Platoon,
- F.F.4.

Kemapyu:
- 1st Battalion, 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles – less ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies at Bawlake,
- F.F.5 – earmarked to move to Mese.

Loikaw:
- Motorised Column, F.F.1.[16]

During the early part of January 1942, elements of the Brigade undertook offensive patrolling up to the border with Thailand.  A company of the 1st Battalion, Garhwal Rifles clashed with Thai gendarmerie near where the Mepai River crosses the border.  A patrol from F.F.4 had a similar brush with at a Thai border post.  The Brigade carried out a number of reconnaissance missions and intelligence reports indicated that the Japanese were active in the Chengmai-Moeng Fhang area.  Given developments, it was decided to reinforce the Mongpan area.  The Brigade Commando and F.F.4 at Mongpan were sent to Monghang whilst the 2nd Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment was ordered from Loilem to Mongpan to relieve F.F.4 on the Salween crossings.  Supplying the troops in the forward areas was extremely difficult.  The animal transport provided by the 28th Mule Company was reinforced by animals of the 23rd Mountain Battery.  Additional mules together with bullock carts and even elephants were hired to move supplies up to the border areas.  Attempts were begun to improve the track from Mongpan to Hsuppawng so as to be able to take motor vehicles during the dry season.[17]

In early February 1942, with the entry of Chinese troops into Burma, the 1st Burma Division was ordered to begin handing over responsibility for the defence of the Southern Shan States to the Chinese.  It was at this time that the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment left the 13th Indian Brigade to join the 1st Burma Brigade at Toungoo.  At the point that the 1st Burma Brigade was to have completed its own handover to the Chinese, the 2nd Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment and F.F.4 were also to leave the 13th Indian Brigade to join the 1st Burma Brigade on the Toungoo front.  The 5th Battalion, Burma Rifles was to swap from the 1st Burma Brigade to the 13th Indian Brigade and to join the 13th Indian Brigade at its new location at Mawchi in Karenni.  The 13th Indian Brigade completed its own handover by around mid-February and the troops left the Loilem area for Mawchi.  When the Brigade Headquarters arrived there, the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment came under command once again, leaving Toungoo for Mawchi.  At around mid-February 1942, the 13th Indian Infantry Brigade was organised as follows:

13th Indian Infantry Brigade:
- 23rd Mountain Battery, I.A.,
- 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment,
- 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Rifles,
- 5th Battalion, The Burma Rifles
- F.F.5.[18]

Towards the end of February 1942, the 13th Indian Infantry Brigade prepared to conduct a reconnaissance in force to the Thai aerodrome of Me Hohngsohn and the road which led from this site towards Khunyuan.  A force was organised comprised of one company of the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment at Hsapaw and a company of the 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Rifles at Ywathit.  A small detachment of sappers was attached to each company with the intention of demolishing as much enemy infrastructure as possible.  Before the operation could be launched, however, the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment, together with the 5th Battalion, The Burma Rifles were recalled to Toungoo to rejoin the 1st Burma Brigade.  The reconnaissance operation went ahead but was reduced in scope to include the aerodrome only.  The company of the 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Rifles reached the outskirts of Me Hohngsohn but were too exhausted to close with the objective and returned to base without incident.[19]

At the beginning of March 1942, the 13th Indian Brigade was ordered to give up the 23rd Mountain Battery and most of the 28th Mule Company.  These too were sent to the Toungoo front.  The area around Loikaw was now also handed over to the Chinese.  The 13th Indian Brigade was now responsible for the area south of the Salween crossings and was to attempt to connect with the 2nd Battalion, The Burma Rifles operating in the Papun area.  F.F.5 was withdrawn from Mese and returned to Kemapyu.  However, before this readjustment could be enacted, the 13th Indian Brigade was ordered to evacuate Karenni, to hand over Mawchi to the Chinese and to concentrate at Taunggyi.  Upon arrival at Taunggyi, the 13th Indian Brigade was ordered to move to Meiktila by train and motor transport.  The Brigade arrived at Meiktila on 1st April 1942.  There, the Brigade was rejoined by the 23rd Mountain Battery, I.A, and now was formed as follows:

H.Q. 13th Indian Infantry Brigade:
- 23rd Mountain Battery, Indian Artillery,
- 1st Battalion, 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles,
- F.F.5.[20]

Between 3rd and 5th April 1942, the 1st Battalion, Garhwal Rifles moved to Allanmyo from Kyaukpadaung.  The Brigade, with the 1st Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers under command, which covered the withdrawal of the 1st Burma Brigade from Allanmyo on 5th and 6th April and concentrated in the area of Kokkawa, near Taungdwingyi.  Orders to move to Pin Chaung on 8th April were cancelled and the Brigade moved to the Thityagauk area.  A company of the 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Rifles was sent to Didokpin on 9th April to support the Burma Frontier Force Mounted Infantry column, under Brigade command.  The Mounted Infantry contacted the Japanese in the Didokpin area but were able to withdraw to Thityagauk by the evening.  The 13th Indian Brigade supported an attack on to the east of Kokkawa and Thityagauk by the 1st Burma Brigade on 11th April and inflicted some casualties.  The 13th Indian Brigade moved into camp at Milestone 322 on the Magwe Road late on 12th April where on 15th April it was joined by the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment which came under command.  The next day both the 1st Burma and the 13th Indian Brigades withdrew to Magwe and the 13th Indian Brigade to Yenangyaung on 17th April.[21] 

The 1st Burma Division now found that its retreat northwards was blocked by a Japanese force in the area of Twingon and astride the Pin Chaung.  Fierce fighting followed until on 19th April, the Division was able to find a way across the Chaung, having suffered many casualties and losing much of its motor transport.  The 13th Indian Brigade launched an attack on the morning of 18th April, with the 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Rifles on the right and the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment on the left.  After early success, the attack foundered near Twingon and the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment had to give ground with heavy casualties.  The 1st Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers were at first ordered to restore the situation but this attack was cancelled. Instead, the 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Rifles attacked and was able to relieve the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment.  Another attack was ordered on 19th April by the 1st Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers, supported by tanks.  A subsequent attack was cancelled and the tired infantry of the 13th Indian Brigade were ordered to move to the Pin Chaung, bypassing Twingon.  Together with the 1st Burma Brigade, the 13th Indian Brigade was able to cross the Pin Chaung that afternoon.  That evening, the 7th Battalion, The Burma Rifles came under command of the Brigade.[22]

On 20th April 1942, the 13th Indian Brigade went to Mount Popa from where it went to Taunghta, arriving on 24th April.  The Brigade reached Myingyan two days later where the following day there was an air raid.  The Brigade was ordered to act as the rearguard on 28th April and moved to Sammeikon.  The Irrawaddy was crossed on the evening of 29th April and the withdrawal continued.  At this time the 13th Indian Brigade was formed of:

13th Indian Infantry Brigade:
- 1st Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers,
- 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment,
- 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Rifles,
- 7th Battalion, The Burma Rifles.[23]

Near Shaukka on 2nd May 1942, the Japanese were in contact once again and the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment was mortared and forced to give up its positions at the railway station.  That afternoon, the Brigade withdrew to Alon.  From Kaduma, on 6th May, the Brigade was ferried by tanks and lorries to Shwegyin; the 1st Battalion, 18th Garhwal Rifles and the 5th Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment going to Pyingyan and not reaching Shwegyin until the following evening.  On the evening of 8th May, the 13th Indian Brigade assembled for the ferry crossing of the Chindwin.  This was undertaken successfully the next day and the Brigade moved on.  Tamu was reached on 17th May and motor transport ferried the men to Palewa the next day.  The Brigade arrived at Imphal on 20th May and went into temporary accommodation the following day.[24]

5 February 2021