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BURMA STAR ASSOCIATION
 
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......................
 History of the Burma Star Association

THE 1st BURMA DIVISION
(Also known as the 39th Indian Division)

Overall in Command was
Lieut/Gen W. Slim (C.B.E. K.C.B. D.S.O. M.C.)
later to become Field Marshall Sir W. Slim

EDWIN COOKSON CLICK HERE to read Edwin's story
REX BLOORE If you know Rex, could you please CLICK HERE
SGT RUPERT (RUBE) MAYNE If you can help with information, can you please CLICK HERE

The Badge of this unit was.

An Indian Tulvar in White in a Clenched Brown Hand on a Dark Green Circle was the Badge of this Formation. (Originally designated the 1st Burma Infantry Division, it was composed of the 1st & 2nd Burma Brigades plus an Indian Brigade)

History

This formation was known as "Burdiv" and took part in the withdrawal from Burma in 1942.

On it's return to India it was re-designated the 39th Indian Division, in 1943 it became a Training Division.

The Division consisted of:

HEADQUARTERS BRIGADE

1.Divisional Artillery

17th Mountain Regt (Indian Artillery)                                     8th Anti/Tank Regt (Indian Artillery)

2.  1st Burma Brigade

1st Btn Burma Rifles         5th Btn Burma Rifles
1st Btn Cameronians(Scottish Rifles)      1st Btn 4th Gurkha Rifles
2nd Btn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry       2nd Btn Rajput Regt

Commanded by   Brig. G.A.L. Farwell (M.C.)  

3.   2nd Burma Brigade

2nd Btn Burma Rifles 4th Btn Burma Rifles
6th Btn Burma Rifles 8th Btn Burma Rifles
2nd Btn Frontier Force Rifles

Commanded by  Brig. A.J.W. Bourke

4.   13th Indian Infantry Brigade

2nd Btn 7th Rajput Regt 5th Btn 1st Punjab Regt 
1st Btn 18th Royal Garhwal Regt

Commanded by     Brig. A.C. Curtis

 

5.  16th Indian Infantry Brigade

1st Btn Royal Jat Regt 1st Btn 7th Gurkha  Rifles
4th Btn Frontier Force Regt

Commanded by   Brig. A.N. Other

 

6. Royal Indian Army Service Corps

28th Animal Transport Coy (Mule)           35th Supply Issue Unit

 

7.  Burma Army Service Corps

2nd Animal Transport Coy (Mule) 5th Motor Transport Unit
1st. 2nd. 3rd. Supply Issue Units

                                              

8.  Medical Services

27th Indian Field Ambulance 2nd Burma Field Ambulance
     

9. Other Branches

I.M.S. R.A.M.C.
I.M.D.  I.H.C.
I.A.M.C. 1st Division Provost Unit 
1st Division Signals Unit                                           

 

10. Indian Army Ordnance Corps 

7th Mobile Works                                       1st Burma Recovery Coy                                     

                                                              

11.  Indian Engineers Sappers & Miners  

50th Field Park Coy (K.G.O. Bengal Lancers) 56th Field Coy (Q.V.O. Madras)
Malerkotla Field Coy (State Forces)

Divisional Commander   Maj/Gen.  J.B. Scott.

                                                                  

During the withdrawal from Burma (Feb-May 1942) the following British. Indian. Burmese.Regiments served with this Division:

1st Btn The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 1st Btn The Gloucestershire Regt
1st Btn  The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 1st Btn The West Yorkshire Regt
2nd Btn The Duke of Wellington Regt  2nd Royal Marine Commando
 

MAPS OF BURMA
................
Read about
THE KOHIMA EPITAPH
 Click Here
 

Diary 1941-46

Battle Memories
 
Examples of WWII Japanese
propaganda 
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Read about the
Thanbyuzayat War cemetery
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A Nurses Story Click here