4th Indian Infantry Division

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”)

Commander in India Pattern Carrier or Jeep (C3)

• Central India Horse (Reconnaissance)

  • Vickers MkVI Tank (R3) + 2 Recce Markers
    

• 5th Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles (machine gun battalion) MMG (S3)

• 1st Field Regiment Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 11th Field Regiment Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• 32nd Field Regiment Royal Artillery Quad FAT + 25pdr (S3)

• India Pattern or Universal Carrier + 6pdr (S3)

• 57th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery

  • Morris Limber + 40mm Bofors AA (S3) (or portee)

• 2nd Field Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners

  • Truck (L3) + optional trailer + 2 Sappers (E3)

• 4th Field Company, Bengal Sappers and Miners

  • Truck + optional trailer + 2 Sappers (E3)

• 12th Field Company, Madras Sappers and Miners

  • Truck + optional trailer + 2 Sappers (E3)

• 11th Field Park Company, Madras Sappers and Miners

  • Low Loader + D7 bulldozer (E3)

• 4th Indian Division Signals Morris or Bedford Signals truck (C3)

5th Indian Infantry Brigade

Brigadier Dudley Russell Commander + Mortar (C3)

• 1/4th Battalion, Essex Regiment Rifles (F3)

• 4th (Outram’s) Battalion, 6th Rajputana Rifles  Rifles (F3)

• 3rd (Queen Mary’s Own) Battalion, 10th Baluch Regiment  Rifles (F3)

7th Indian Infantry Brigade

Brigadier Arthur Holworthy  Commander + Mortar (C3)

• 1st Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment  Rifles (F3)

• 4th Battalion, 16th Punjab Regiment  Rifles (F3)

• 1st Battalion, 2nd King Edward’s Own Gurkha Rifles Rifles (F3)

61st Indian Infantry Brigade

Brigadier Francis E.C. Hughes Commander + Mortar (C3)

• 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders  Rifles (F3)

  

• 1st Battalion, 1st Punjab Regiment Rifles (F3)

  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.

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