The 23rd Indian Infantry Brigade was an erstwhile infantry formation of the British Indian Army. It remained in existence from the year 1941 to 1947. During the outbreak of the Second World War, the brigade was raised by the British Empire in India in February 1941. It was allotted to the 14th Indian Infantry Division in June 1941. The troops of the brigade were assigned to the 23rd Indian Infantry Division in March 1942. Later it was regrouped and re-structured as the 123rd Indian Infantry Brigade.
During World War II, the 123rd Brigade was stationed in Burma and the troops actively participated in the Burma Campaign. It was attached with 14th Indian Infantry Division and the 5th Indian Infantry Division. The troops also took part in a number of British battles and conquests during the war. In 1947, the brigade served during the Partition of India with the Punjab Boundary Force.
Formation of 23rd Indian Infantry Brigade
The 23rd Indian Infantry Brigade included a number of British Indian infantry regiments. These are listed below-
* 1/15th Punjab Regiment
* 8/10th Baluch Regiment
* 4/5th Mahratta Light Infantry
* 1/15th Punjab Regiment (April 1943)
* 8/10th Baluch Regiment to (December 1942 - April 1943)
* 4/5th Mahratta Light Infantry (June 1942)
* 10th Lancashire Fusiliers (July 1942 - April 1943)
* 1/17th Dogra Regiment October 1942 to (January 1943 - August 1945)
* 8/6th Rajputana Rifles (January 1943 - March 1943; May 1943 - June 1943)
* 2/1st Punjab Regiment (July 1943 - April 1944; September 1944 - August 1945)
* 2nd Suffolk Regiment (July 1943 - September 1944)
* 1/18th Royal Garhwal Rifles (February 1944)
* 3/2nd Punjab Regiment (April 1944 - March 1945)
* 7th York and Lancaster Regiment (March 1945 - June 1945)
* 3/9th Jat Regiment (April 1945 - May 1945)
* 3/9th Gurkha Rifles (July 1945 - August 1945)
Commanding Officers of 23rd Indian Infantry Brigade
Some of the most noted Commanders of the 23rd Indian Infantry Brigade and the 123rd Indian Infantry Brigade are mentioned as follows-
* Brigadier A. V. Hammond
* Brigadier T. J. W. Winterton
* Brigadier G. C. Evans
* Brigadier E. J. Denholm Young