12th Indian Division

For the World War II formation see 12th Indian Infantry Division

The 12th Indian Division was formed in March 1915 from units of the British Indian Army. It formed part of the Tigris Corps, for service during the Mesopotamia Campaign of World War I. The Division arrived in Mesopotamia in April 1915 and remained there until it was broken up in March 1916. The Division's brigades remained in Mesopotamia as independent formations until forming part of the 15th Indian Division in May 1916. During its short existence it fought in a number of actions including the Battle of Shaiba between April 12–14, 1915, the Battle of Khafajiya between May 14–16, 1915, the Battle of Nasiriya between July 5, 13-14, 24 1915, where 400 British and Indian soldiers were killed in the battle and up to 2,000 Turkish Soldiers. The Occupation of Nasiriya and the affair at Butanuja, January 14, 1916.

12th Indian Brigade

 * Commanding Officer, Brigadier K E Lean
 * 2ns Btn Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment
 * 4th Prince Albert Victor's Rajputs
 * 44th Merwara Infantry
 * 90th Punjabis

30th Indian Brigade

 * Commanding Officer, Major General C J Melliss
 * 24th Punjabis
 * 76th Punjabis
 * 2/7th Gurkha Rifles

33rd Indian Brigade

 * Commanding Officer, Brigadier R Wapshare
 * 1/4th Btn Hampshire Regiment
 * 11th Rajputs
 * 66th Punjabis
 * 67th Punjabis

Divisional Cavalry

 * Two sqns 33rd Queen Victoria’s Own Light Cavalry

Divisional Artillery

 * 86 Heavy Bty Royal Garrison Artillery
 * 104 Heavy Bty Royal Garrison Artillery
 * 1/5th Hants Howitzer Bty Royal Field Artillery

Divisional Engineers

 * 12 Field Coy Sirmur Imperial Service Coy, Sappers & Miners
 * 12 Div Signal Coy