82nd (West Africa) Division
| 82nd (West Africa) Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1941–1945 |
| Country | British West Africa |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal West African Frontier Force |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | 15,000 personnel |
| Engagements | Burma Campaign |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
George McI. S. Bruce |
The 82nd (West Africa) Division was formed under British control during World War II. It took part in the later stages of the Burma Campaign and was disbanded in Burma between May and September 1946.
The inspiration for the division's formation came from General George Giffard. He had extensive experience of leading East African troops, and early in World War II became the commander of Britain's West Africa Command. He was eager for troops from Britain's African colonies to play their part in the war. When he was subsequently appointed to command India Command's Eastern Army, facing the Japanese army on the frontier between India and Burma, he requested that the two divisions being organised in West Africa be used in the Burma campaign.
The division was formed from the existing 1st (West Africa) Infantry Brigade and 2nd (West Africa) Infantry Brigade, both of which had previously taken part in the East African Campaign in 1940 and 1941, and the freshly raised 4th (Nigerian) Infantry Brigade. The Division's headquarters was created on 1 August 1943. It followed the British 81st (West Africa) Division in the numbering sequence of British war-raised infantry divisions. The HQ took control of its sub-units on 1 November 1943.
The division's formation sign was crossed spears on a porter's headband, in black (sometimes white) on a yellow shield.
On 20 May 1944, the division sailed for Ceylon, where the complete division was assembled on 20 July. In August the organisation was slightly changed, with supporting arms which had previously been distributed between the brigades being controlled centrally by the division HQ. The division was organised on a "head load" basis, with porters carrying all heavy equipment and supplies. Although many of the troops were from the savannah of northern Ghana and Nigeria, they were well-trained and effective when operating in jungle and mountains.
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