12th Indian Division
The 12th Indian Division was formed in March 1915 from units of the British Indian Army. It formed part of the Tigris Corps, for service during the Mesopotamia Campaign of World War I. The Division arrived in Mesopotamia in April 1915 and remained there until it was broken up in March 1916.
The Division's brigades remained in Mesopotamia as independent formations until forming part of the 15th Indian Division in May 1916.
During its short existence it fought in a number of actions including the Battle of Shaiba between April 12–14, 1915, the Battle of Khafajiya between May 14–16, 1915, the Battle of Nasiriya between July 5, 13-14, 24 1915, where 400 British and Indian soldiers were killed in the battle and up to 2,000 Turkish Soldiers. The Occupation of Nasiriya and the affair at Butanuja, January 14, 1916.
Order of battle
The division included the following units; not all of them served at the same time:[12th Indian Brigade]
- 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own
- 90th Punjabis
- 44th Mherwara Infantry
- 4th Prince Albert Victor's Rajputs
- 67th Punjabis
- 1/5th Battalion, Queen's
[30th Indian Brigade]
- 24th Punjabis
- 76th Punjabis
- 126th Baluchis
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Gurkha Rifles
- 1/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
- half of 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own
- half of 67th Punjabis
[33rd Indian Brigade]
- 1/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
- 11th Rajputs
- 66th Punjabis
- 67th Punjabis
- 4th Prince Albert Victor's Rajputs
- 43rd Erinpura Regiment
- 20th Punjabis
[34th Indian Brigade]
- 1/5th Battalion, Queen's
- 31st Punjabis
- 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry
- 114th Mahrattas
- half of 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own
Divisional Cavalry
- Two squadrons of 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry
Divisional Artillery
- 86th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
- 104th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
- 1/5th Hampshire Battery, Royal Field Artillery
Divisional Engineers
- 12th Field Company, 2nd Sappers and Miners
- 12th Division Signal Company