17th Indian Division

[matteyre]

Hi,

I'm trying to work out a timescale of where and when the division was from 1916 onwards. In particular i want to track 6th LAMB. I know they were at Ramadi at some point prior to Baghdad, and also at Hit. Any pointers much appreciated, thanks, Matt

[Heid the Ba]

Sorry, I may be being dim here but are you sure it is the 17th Indian Division? I'm at work so can't check but didn't think their numbers went that high.

[Malcolm]

see http://www.warpath.orbat.com/indian_divs/17_ind_div.htm

Aye

Malcolm

[Heid the Ba]

Cheers Malcolm, obviously the old whatisname isn't as good as it once was.

[Ron]

Hi,

I'm trying to work out a timescale of where and when the division was from 1916 onwards. In particular i want to track 6th LAMB. I know they were at Ramadi at some point prior to Baghdad, and also at Hit. Any pointers much appreciated, thanks, Matt

!7th Division were in Mesopotamia from late 1917. The British made an initial sortie against Ramadi on 11th July 1917 but this failed mainly due to the heat. Some of the troops were struck down by the sun, some lost their reason and we are told that 321 soldiers out of the 566 casualties were affected in this way. The British retired, being attacked all the way back to Dhibban by Arab irregulars. The final captire of Ramadi was accomplished on September 28th.

Ron

[johncamel]

17th Indian Division arrived in Mesopotamia after the battle for Tikrit and were involved in the engagements at Humr and on the Jebel Makhul, supporting 18 Div in the battles on the Lesser Zab and took part in the final battle at Sharqat 28 Oct 1918.

[matteyre]

Thank you everyone fore more info. Were they involved with taking Baghdad? If not, 6th LAMB must have been attached elsewhere... my wifes grandfather mentioned about having to change the wheel on his armoured car "Cleopatra" under heavy fire, and also about British troops having to shoot fleeing Indian troops to maintain the line.