The 1st Indian Infantry Brigade was one of the infantry forces of the British Indian Army. The brigade was formed in September 1939 by the British Government of India during the outbreak of the Second World War. The military formation remained in active service from the year 1939 to 1945. The 1st Indian Infantry Brigade was initially allotted to the HQ Rawalpindi District. Later it was attached with the 23rd Indian Infantry Division in May 1942. The brigade served under the 23rd Division till the end of World War II.
The troops took part in a number military operation and campaigns under the British administration. Later it was sent to Burma and fought in the Burma Campaign in the South East Asian Theatre of the Second World War.
Formation of 1st Indian Infantry Brigade
The 1st Indian Infantry Brigade was formed with several infantry regiments which are listed as follows-
• 1/5th Gurkha Rifles (November 1940)
• 2/5th Gurkha Rifles (February 1940 - December 1940; January 1941 - June 1941)
• 2/6th Gurkha Rifles (April 1940)
• 1/6th Gurkha Rifles (April 1940 - February 1942)
• 1/7th Rajput Regiment (October 1940 - September 1941)
• 1st The Devonshire Regiment (September 1940 - April 1941)
• 3/5th Gurkha Rifles (October 1940 - March 1941)
• 4/6th Gurkha Rifles (March 1941 - October 1941)
• 3/6th Gurkha Rifles (October 1940 - March 1941)
• 4/5th Gurkha Rifles (March 1941 - October 1941)
• 4/10th Gurkha Rifles (March 1941 - October 1941)
• 4/7th Gurkha Rifles (March 1941 to October 1941)
• 2nd Nepalese Infantry (Rifle Regiment) (April 1941 - February 1942)
• 2nd The Suffolk Regiment (June 1941 - September 1941)
• 1st Patiala Infantry (April 1941 - August 1945)
• 2/19th Hyderabad Regiment (June 1944 - July 1944)
• 7/14th Punjab Regiment (February 1942 - April 1942)
• 1st Seaforth Highlanders (May 1942 - August 1945)
• 1st Assam Regiment (April 1942 - March 1944)
• 158th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Artillery (February 1944 - April 1944)
• 1/16th Punjab Regiment (February - October 1943; December 1943 - August 1945)
• Kalibahadur Regiment, (May 1944 - August 1944)
• 9/12th Frontier Force Regiment (February 1944 - April 1944)