SAWW11BG1605 81st (West African) Division Flash

The Division went to India in August 1943. In November 1943, it lost a Brigade when the 3rd Brigade left to join Wingate’s Special Force (‘Chindits’), forming six columns. As a two-brigade formation under XV Indian Corps (15th Indian Corps), 14th Army, the Division operated in Burma. In December 1943 it crossed the hills into the Kaladan Valley and operated on the left flank of the main advance in the First Arakan campaign. It was the first large formation to be wholly supplied by air. After the withdrawal from the Arakan it reorganized, the Brigade Groups reverting to Brigades in September 1944. In January 1945 the Division again advanced down the Kaladan Valley and took part in the successful assault on Myohaung. It returned to India in March 1945.

Cloth embroidered