October 20, 20187 yr #1 Aloha Everyone, This came along with a large grouping of USAAF photos which belonged to an US Army Air Corps officer. Early in WWII, he was posted as a technical observer with the UK forces in the Western Desert. Unknown Royal Artillery Unit assigned to the 4th Indian Division "Red Eagles" - Two Officers and thirty six Other Ranks wearing the Red Eagles formation badge
October 20, 20187 yr Author #4 And this is one of the first Red Eagles formation badges in the printed form from the same grouping Imperial War Museum - badge, formation, Indian, 4th Indian Infantry Division Printed Version
October 20, 20187 yr Author #5 Along with the fabric version - this info is from the Imperial War Museum in regard to the origin of these formation badges History note (Imperial War Museum website) Second World War British Commonwealth Army (Indian Army) formation badge for 4th Indian Infantry Division. The Division was nicknamed the 'Red Eagles' as a consequence of the distinctive emblem of the bird of prey on its badge. The first badges worn in North Africa were given by the women of the Punjab, instigated by the then Prime Minister, Sir Sikander Hyat Khan, who visited the Division in the Middle East. According to the Divisional History: 'The War Office, curiously enough, has no record of the origin of the Red Eagle. It was the custom of units at this stage to select their own signs, afterwards submitting them for approval. There are a number of theories of origin: that the first design was taken from a newspaper advertisement, from a beer bottle label, that it was drawn by one Private Page, a clerk in 'Q' Branch, that the colour was chosen because of General Scarlett's [first Divisional Commander] name. At a later date General Tuker personally improved the design of the eagle.' Formation note: elements of the 4th Indian Division left India for Egypt in 1939. The formation fought in the Western Desert Force at Sidi Barrani. It was then withdrawn to East Africa, where, together with 5th Indian Division, was instrumental in the defeat of the Italians at Keren. The Division returned to North Africa without 5th Indian Brigade which took part in operations against the Vichy French forces in Syria. The whole Division took part in Operation 'Crusader' in November 1941. In April 1942, the Division was withdrawn from the desert, one brigade going to Cyprus, one to Palestine and the third to the Canal Zone. The Division was later reformed and took part in the early stages of El Alamein, but in November was withdrawn from offensive operations to do battlefield salvage. The Division was in action again at the Mareth Line and fought at Wadi Akarit. It then joined 1st Army (First Army) for the remainder of the campaign in North Africa. The formation disembarked at Taranto on 8 December 1943 and in spring 1944 took part in the fighting at Cassino. The Division was the first to break the Gothic Line in August. It was then transferred to Greece for 'aid to civil power' duties until return to India in early 1946. It was redesignated Punjab Boundary Force in July 1947 and was disbanded in September. The papers of two of the Division's Commanders, Major-General Tuker (January 1942-March 1944) and Major-General Holworthy (March 1944-January 1945), are held in the IWM's Department of Documents. Ref: Lt.-Col. G. R. Stevens, 'Fourth Indian Division', p.6. Imperial War Museum, badge, formation, Indian, 4th Indian Infantry Division Cloth Version with photographic examples
November 27, 20187 yr Author #6 More 4th Indian Division Red Eagles Bound 1st Edition of The Story of the 4th Indian Division
April 25, 20206 yr Author #8 Reloaded photo with the new forum software which auto adjusts the images for enhanced viewing of the details
April 25, 20206 yr Author #10 Reloaded detail of second image - The new software really works well on the original large files, but the smaller detail images are about the same. Have to fiddle with the editing a bit to see how to enhance those but overall a very nice upgrade to the WMF & USMF
April 25, 20206 yr Author #11 2nd Image of the grouping - 4th Indian Division "Red Eagles" artillery unit - Battery NCO's in the Western Desert circa 1943 prior to the Italian Campaign
September 5, 20241 yr Author #13 Photo from a completed auction listing - British members of the 4th Indian Division Red Eagles
March 14Mar 14 Author #14 Indian Ordnance QF 18-pounder gun crew in action before capture of Keren English: India in the war. Indian soldiers in action before the capture of Keren in Eritrea . This gun hurled approximately 24,000 shells a day. Note the shadow of camouflage on the field gun. Date 1941 Source Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, LC-USE6-D-008633 DLC
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