The 4th Indian Infantry Division were old desert hands by the time of the battles at EL ALAMEIN. Here they are, having fought through solidly since GAZALA:
4th Indian Infantry Division
Major-General Francis Tuker (known widely as “Gertie”)
Comd in India Patt Carrier or Jeep (C3)
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Central India Horse (Reconnaissance)
- 2 India Patt Carrier (R1), Vickers MkVI Tank (R1)
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5th Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles (machine gun battalion)
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1st Field Regiment Royal Artillery
- FOO (O1), Quad limber (S3), 25pdr (S3)
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11th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
- FOO (O1), Quad limber (S3), 25pdr (S3)
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32nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
- FOO (O1), Quad limber (S3), 25pdr (S3)
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149th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
- India Patt or Universal Carrier (S3), 6pdr (S3)
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57th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
- Morris Limber (s3), 40mm Bofors AA (s3) (or portee)
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2nd Field Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners
- Truck (L3) + optional trailer (L3), 3 Sappers (@E1)
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4th Field Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners
- Truck (L3) + optional trailer (L3), 3 Sappers (@E1)
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12th Field Company, Madras Sappers and Miners
- Truck (L3) + optional trailer (L3), 3 Sappers (@E1)
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11th Field Park Company, Madras Sappers and Miners
- Low Loader (L3), D7 bulldozer (L3)
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4th Indian Division Signals
- Morris or Bedford Signals truck (C3)
5th Indian Infantry Brigade
Brigadier Dudley Russell
Comd in India Patt Carrier or Jeep (C3), signals van (C3)
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1/4th Battalion, Essex Regiment
- Comd (s3), 3 Rifles (s3), MMG (s3), 3″ Mortar (s3)
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4th (Outram’s) Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles
- Comd (s3), 3 Rifles (s3), MMG (s3), 3″ Mortar (s3)
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3rd (Queen Mary’s Own) Battalion, 10th Baluch Regiment
- Comd (s3), 3 Rifles (s3), MMG (s3), 3″ Mortar (s3)
7th Indian Infantry Brigade
Brigadier Arthur Holworthy
Comd in India Patt Carrier (C3), signals van (C3)
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1st Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment
- Comd (s3), 3 Rifles (s3), MMG (s3), 3″ Mortar (s3)
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4th Battalion, 16th Punjab Regiment
- Comd (s3), 3 Rifles (s3), MMG (s3), 3″ Mortar (s3)
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1st Battalion, 2nd King Edward’s Own Gurkha Rifles
- Comd (s3), 3 Rifles (s3), MMG (s3), 3″ Mortar (s3)
61st Indian Infantry Brigade
Brigadier Francis E.C. Hughes
Comd India Patt Carrier (C3), signals van (C3)
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1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
- Comd (s3), 3 Rifles (s3), MMG (s3), 3″ Mortar (s3)
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1st Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment
- Comd (s3), 3 Rifles (s3), MMG (s3), 3″ Mortar (s3)
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4th Battalion, 7th Rajput Regiment
- Comd (s3), 3 Rifles (s3), MMG (s3), 3″ Mortar (s3)
By now, it will be obvious to even the most casual reader of this blog that I mix and match British desert infantry. A few turbans, Glengarries, Tam-o-Shanters and slouch hats mixed in with a lot of steel battle bowlers and berets make up the necessary numbers. I must get some of those splendid Kiwi scout hats to add to the mix.
