11th (East Africa) Division
| 11th (East Africa) Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1943–1945 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | Fourteenth Army |
| Engagements | Second World War |
The 11th (East Africa) Infantry Division was a British Empire colonial unit formed in February 1943 during World War II.
Contents
Formation
In 1943, the 11th (East Africa) Division was formed primarily of troops from British East Africa. The division should not be confused with the earlier 11th (African) Division which fought in the East African Campaign and was disbanded in late 1941. Unlike the 11th (East Africa) Division, the 11th (African) Division was composed of brigades both from British East Africa and from Nigeria in British West Africa.
Combat history
The Division was composed of troops from Kenya, Uganda, Nyasaland, Tanganyika and Northern Rhodesia.[1] The 11th (East Africa) Division fought with the Fourteenth Army in Burma during the Burma Campaign. In the later part of 1944, the division pursued the Japanese retreating from Imphal down the Kabaw valley and established bridgeheads over the Chindwin River. In 1945, elements of the division played a part in the Battle of Meiktila and Mandalay.
Commanding officers
- Major-General Charles Christopher Fowkes (February 1943 – December 1944)
- Major-General Robert Mansergh (January 1945 – February 1945)
- Major-General William Alfred Dimoline (March 1945 – August 1945)
Formation
21st East African Brigade
under Brigadier J. F. Macnab
- 2nd (Nyasaland) Bn. King's African Rifles
- 4th (Uganda) Bn. King's African Rifles
- 1st Bn. Northern Rhodesia Regiment[1]
25th East African Brigade
under Brigadier N. C. Hendricks
- 11th (Kenya) Bn. King's African Rifles
- 26th (Tanganyika) Bn. King's African Rifles
- 34th (Uganda) Bn. King's African Rifles[1]
26th East African Brigade
under Brigadier V. K. H. Channer (to November 18, 1944), Brigadier A. P. Walsh (from November 18, 1944)
- 22nd (Nyasaland) Bn. King's African Rifles
- 36th (Tanganyika) Bn. King's African Rifles
- 44th (Uganda) Bn. King's African Rifles[1]
Divisional troops
- 5th Bn. King's African Rifles (divisional reconnaissance unit)[1]
- 13th Bn. King's African Rifles (HQ defence unit)
- 10th (Belgian Congo) Casualty Clearing Station[2]
Divisional Artillery
CRA Brigadier J. V. D. Radford
- 302nd East African Field Regiment
- 303rd East African Field Regiment
- 304th East African Field Regiment[1]
Divisional Engineers
- 34th East African Field Company
- 58th East African Field Company
- 64th East African Field Company
- 62nd East African Field Park Company[1]
Divisional Signals
- 11th East African Divisional Signals[1]
See also
- List of British Empire divisions in World War II
- Battle of Meiktila and Mandalay
- 1st SA Infantry Division
