12th Indian Brigade


The 12th Indian Brigade was an infantry brigade of the British Indian Army that saw active service in the First World War. It served in the Mesopotamian Campaign on the Euphrates Front throughout its existence.

History

The 12th Indian Brigade was formed at Nasirabad in 5th (Mhow) Division in January 1915. It was transferred to Mesopotamia and joined the 12th Indian Division on formation at the end of March.
;12th Indian Division
With the division, the brigade took part in the Actions for Nasiriya and the Occupation of Nasiriya in 1915 and the Affair of Butaniya on 14 January 1916. The division never reached full strength as units were constantly detached to support the efforts to relieve the 6th (Poona) Division besieged at Kut. The division was broken up on 10 March 1916 and the brigade was posted to the new 15th Indian Division in May 1916.
;15th Indian Division
The 15th Indian Division was formed on 7 May 1916 to replace the 12th Indian Division on the Euphrates Front; the brigade joined the division on formation. It remained with the division on the Euphrates Front until the end of the war. The brigade took part in the action of As Sahilan, the Capture of Ramadi, the Occupation of Hīt and the action of Khan Baghdadi.
At the end of the war, the division was rapidly run down and it was disbanded in March 1919.

Order of battle

The brigade commanded the following units in the First World War:

Commanders

The brigade had the following commanders:
FromRankNameNotes
19 January 1915Brigadier-GeneralK.E. Leansick, 29 May 1915
29 May 1915Lieutenant-ColonelH.A. Dunloptemporary
31 July 1915Brigadier-GeneralC.L. Macnab
20 September 1915Brigadier-GeneralH.T. Brooking
11 May 1916Lieutenant-ColonelW.L. Malcolmtemporary
16 June 1916Brigadier-GeneralF.P.S. Dunsfordsick, 19 February 1918
19 February 1918Lieutenant-ColonelHon. A.G. Brodricktemporary
4 May 1918Brigadier-GeneralE.W. Costello