43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division
| 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1908 - August 1945 |
| Branch | Territorial Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Engagements | Operation Overlord Operation Market Garden Battle of the Bulge Operation Blackcock |
The 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division was a British Territorial Army division first formed in 1908. It was reformed in 1920 as part of the rebuilding of the Territorial Army, and raised a second line duplicate, 45th (Wessex) Infantry Division, on the doubling of the Territorial Army in 1939.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Division was a formation created with the rest of the Territorial Force in 1908. On 24 September 1914, it accepted overseas service in India in order to relieve regular units required for active service. Divisional and Brigade HQs, both artillery and infantry, did not embark for India. The "Division" sailed on 9 October 1914, and moved to India where it remained throughout the Great War, reverting to peacetime service conditions. It did, however, supply battalions and drafts of reinforcements for divisions fighting in the Middle East.
In the Second World War it fought in Normandy, where it initially was earmarked as a reserve for Operation Epsom. It then launched an attack against the German 9th SS Panzer Division at Hill 112 in July, though they were beaten back after both sides had suffered horrendous casualties. It performed well, and was considered one of the best British Divisions in the Second World War.
It was the first British formation to cross the Seine river, with an assault crossing at the French town of Vernon opposed by the German 49th Infantry Division (see 'Assault Crossing, The River Seine 1944' by Ken Ford). This enabled the armour of XXX Corps under Gen. Brian Horrocks to thrust across northern France into Belgium.
43rd Division later played a major role in Operation Market Garden, as the support to Guards Armoured Division. During Market Garden, a Battalion (4th Dorsets) successfully crossed the Rhine as a diversion, so that 1st Airborne could withdraw more safely, but many men of the 4th Dorsets were themselves left behind on the north Bank of the Rhine when the Division withdrew.
The division later played a small part in the Battle of the Bulge, where it was placed on the Meuse as a reserve, and a large part in the invasion of Germany and the Crossing of the Rhine (Operation Veritable).
By the end of hostilities the 43rd had reached the Cuxhaven peninsula of northern Germany.
[edit] Commanders
- Major-General Arthur Floyer-Acland, (from December 1938).
- Major-General Robert Pollock, (1940–1941)
- Major-General Charles Allfrey, (1941–1942).
- Major-General Ivor Thomas, (from 1942).
[edit] Order of battle First World War
[edit] 129th (South Western) Brigade
- 1/4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry left February 1916 (Mesopotamia)
- 1/5th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry left May 1917 (Palestine)
- 1/4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment left February 1916 (Mesopotamia)
- 1/4th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment left September 1917 (Palestine)
[edit] 130th (Devon & Cornwall) Brigade
- 1/4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment left February 1916 (Mesopotamia)
- 1/5th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment left April 1917 (Palestine)
- 1/6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment left January 1916 (Mesopotamia)
- 1/4th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry left January 1916 (Aden) then went to Palestine in February 1917
[edit] Divisional Artillery
- CCXV (I Wessex) Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA) left October 1916 (Mesopotamia)
- CCXVI (Howitzer) (II Wessex) Brigade, RFA
- CCXVII (III Wessex) Brigade, RFA
- CCXVIII (IV Wessex) Brigade, RFA
- Wessex (Hampshire) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery did not go to India
[edit] Royal Engineers
- I Wessex Field Company did not go to India (joined 27th Division)
- II Wessex Field Company did not go to India (joined 27th Division)
- Wessex Divisional Signals Company did not go to India (joined 27th Division)
[edit] Royal Army Medical Corps
- 1st Wessex Field Ambulance did not go to India (joined 8th Division)
- 2nd Wessex Field Ambulance did not go to India (joined 8th Division)
- 3rd Wessex Field Ambulance did not go to India (joined 8th Division)
[edit] Other Divisional Troops
- Wessex Divisional Transport and Supply Column ASC did not go to India (formed 29th Division Train and 27th Divisional Reserve Park)
[edit] Order of battle Second World War
[edit] 129th Infantry Brigade
- 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry
- 4th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
- 5th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment
[edit] 130th Infantry Brigade
- 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
- 4th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment
- 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment
[edit] 214th Infantry Brigade
- 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry
- 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
- 5th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
[edit] Support Units
- 8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (Vickers machine gunners)
- 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps
- 94th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
- 112th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
- 179th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery
- 59th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
- 13th Bridging Platoon, Royal Engineers
- 204th Field Company, Royal Engineers
- 207th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers (from Bath, Somerset).
- 260th Field Company, Royal Engineers (from Chippenham, Wiltshire).
- 553rd Field Company, Royal Engineers
- 54th Company, RASC
- 504th Company, RASC
- 505th Company, RASC
- 506th Divisional Company, RASC
- 110th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
