1st Mounted Division and 4th Cavalry Division
During the height of World War I, the strategic landscape of the Middle East required a highly mobile and versatile force. This need led to the creation of the 1st Mounted Division, a specialized cavalry unit that later became the 4th Cavalry Division. Serving as a critical component of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF), this division played a pivotal role in the liberation of Palestine and the eventual capture of Damascus.
The division's history is a testament to the integration of British and Indian military strengths, blending the traditional Yeomanry—volunteer cavalry regiments from the UK—with the seasoned expertise of the Indian Cavalry.
ไม่มีภาพประกอบKey Facts
- Active Period: April 1918 to 1921.
- Primary Region: Palestine and Syria.
- Parent Organization: British Indian Army / Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
- Major Engagements: Second Transjordan Raid, Battle of Megiddo, and the Capture of Damascus.
- Final Status: Disbanded in 1921 after performing occupation duties.
Formation and the 1st Mounted Division
The origins of the division began in March 1918, following the breakup of the 1st Indian Cavalry Division in France. While British units remained on the Western Front, the Indian elements were redeployed to Egypt. By April 1918, the EEF reorganized its mounted troops to integrate these arriving Indian Army units.
On April 24, 1918, the Yeomanry Mounted Division underwent a process of indianization—a restructuring where brigades retained only one British regiment, while most support units were replaced by Indian counterparts. Consequently, the unit was renamed the 1st Mounted Division.
Structural Reorganization
The reorganization involved merging existing brigades with Indian cavalry units:
- The 6th Mounted Brigade merged with the 5th (Mhow) Cavalry Brigade.
- The 8th Mounted Brigade merged with the 8th (Lucknow) Cavalry Brigade.
- The 22nd Mounted Brigade merged with the 2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade.
To support the war effort in France, six Yeomanry Regiments were merged in pairs and converted into Machine Gun Battalions (C, D, and E Battalions of the Machine Gun Corps) and posted to the Western Front. These were replaced by Indian Cavalry Regiments arriving from France.
Transition to the 4th Cavalry Division
On July 22, 1918, the 1st Mounted Division was officially renumbered as the 4th Cavalry Division. Along with the divisional name change, its brigades were redesignated as the 10th, 11th, and 12th Cavalry Brigades. This transition also included the renumbering of signal troops, field ambulances, and veterinary sections.
Divisional Composition
| Brigade/Unit | Key Components |
|---|---|
| 10th Cavalry Brigade | 1/1st Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry, 2nd Lancers (Gardner's Horse), 38th King George's Own Central India Horse |
| 11th Cavalry Brigade | 1/1st County of London Yeomanry, 29th Lancers (Deccan Horse), 36th Jacob's Horse |
| 12th Cavalry Brigade | 1/1st Staffordshire Yeomanry, 6th King Edward's Own Cavalry, 19th Lancers (Fane's Horse) |
| XX Brigade, RHA | Hampshire, Berkshire, and Leicestershire Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) |
| Divisional Troops | 4th Field Squadron (RE), 4th Signal Squadron, and 4th Cavalry Division Train (999th–1002nd ASC Companies) |
Major Battles and Final Years
Operating under the Desert Mounted Corps, the division was instrumental in the final stages of the Palestine campaign. Their mobility allowed them to execute rapid strikes and secure key strategic locations.
The division participated in three major operations:
- Second Transjordan Raid: Conducted from April 30 to May 4, 1918.
- Battle of Megiddo: A decisive victory occurring between September 19 and 25, 1918.
- Capture of Damascus: The culmination of the offensive on October 1, 1918.
Following the Armistice of Mudros, the division remained in Palestine to handle occupation duties. Demobilization began shortly after the war; most British wartime units departed by May 1919, though the 1/1st County of London Yeomanry remained until March 1920. The 4th Cavalry Division was officially broken up in 1921.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the 1st Mounted Division?
The 1st Mounted Division was a cavalry unit of the British Indian Army formed in April 1918. It was created by merging the Yeomanry Mounted Division with Indian cavalry elements transferred from the Western Front.
When did it become the 4th Cavalry Division?
The division was renumbered as the 4th Cavalry Division on July 22, 1918, at which point its brigades were also redesignated as the 10th, 11th, and 12th Cavalry Brigades.
What does "indianized" mean in this military context?
Indianization referred to the British Indian Army standard where brigades were restructured to retain only one British regiment or battalion, while the majority of support units and other regiments were Indian.
Which major battles did the division fight in?
The division took part in the Second Transjordan Raid, the Battle of Megiddo, and the Capture of Damascus.
When was the division finally disbanded?
After serving on occupation duties in Palestine following the end of World War I, the division was finally broken up in 1921.