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Showing posts with the label Zipper

25 INFANTRY DIVISION

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25 INFANTRY DIVISION The 25 Infantry Division originally formed in Bangalore in South India on August 1, 1942 under Major-General Henry Davies the Division was disbanded at the end of World War II. The division's original role was to meet any attempted Japanese invasion while at the same time training actively for jungle warfare. It first saw action, having become part of Indian XV Corps, at the onset of the third Arakan Campaign in March 1944 where it held and enlarged the Maungdaw Base and established superiority over the enemy. In April 1945 the division was withdrawn to South India to prepare for 'Operation Zipper,' the invasion of British Malaya, having been chosen for the assault landing (amphibious) role. Although hostilities then ceased, the operation proceeded as planned and 25th Division was the first formation to land in Malaya, occupying the capital, Kuala Lumpur and then accepting the surrender of the Japanese Army. The Division was disba

23 INFANTRY DIVISION

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23 INFANTRY DIVISION The 23 Infantry Division was raised on January 01, 1942, at Jhansi in Central India. Its badge was a red fighting cock on a red circle. The bird was chosen by Major General Reginald Arthur Savory, the division's first commander, as one which would offend neither the Moslem nor Hindu soldiers of the division. In May that year, while the Division was still forming, it was ordered to Imphal in Manipur, where Burma Corps was retreating, having been driven out of Burma by the Japanese. After the end of the Battle of Imphal, the division was withdrawn to India. After recuperating, it began training for future operations in Malaya. Major General Roberts was promoted to command Indian XXXIV Corps and the division was commanded by Major General Douglas Hawthorn. In mid 1945, the Division was due to take part in Operation Zipper, a landing on the west coast of Malaya, as part of XXXIV Corps. Although forestalled by the Japanese surrender, the landi