III Corps (India) - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 18:03, 7 November 2022
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	{{Infobox military unit		{{Infobox military unit
	\| unit_name = III Corps		\| unit_name = III Corps
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	== History ==		== History ==
	===First World War===		===First World War===
	Initially formed in December 1915, it took part in the [[Mesopotamian campaign]] under the command of [[Frederick Stanley Maude]]. In November 1916, it was split in two to form the [[I Corps (British India)\|I Corps]] and III Corps (also known as III (Tigris) Corps).<ref>[http://www.1914-1918.net/corps.htm Listing of British Corps], accessed July 2010. {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916015039/http://www.1914-1918.net:80/corps.htm\|date=16 September ~~2022~~}}</ref>		Initially formed in December 1915, it took part in the [[Mesopotamian campaign]] under the command of [[Frederick Stanley Maude]]. In November 1916, it was split in two to form the [[I Corps (British India)\|I Corps]] and III Corps (also known as III (Tigris) Corps).<ref>[http://www.1914-1918.net/corps.htm Listing of British Corps], accessed July 2010. {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916015039/http://www.1914-1918.net:80/corps.htm\|date=16 September 2017}}</ref>

	Among its component divisions during World War I were the [[Cavalry Division (United Kingdom)\|Cavalry Division]], [[3rd (Lahore) Division]], [[6th (Poona) Division]], [[7th (Meerut) Division]], [[12th Indian Division]], [[13th (Western) Division]], [[14th Indian Division]], [[17th Indian Division]], and [[18th Indian Division]].<ref name = MoberlyXXXVI>Brig-Gen F.J. Moberly, ''History of the Great War: The Campaign in Mesopotamia'', Vol III, London: HM Stationery Office, 1925/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1997, ISBN 978-089839289-0, Appendix XXXVI.</ref>		Among its component divisions during World War I were the [[Cavalry Division (United Kingdom)\|Cavalry Division]], [[3rd (Lahore) Division]], [[6th (Poona) Division]], [[7th (Meerut) Division]], [[12th Indian Division]], [[13th (Western) Division]], [[14th Indian Division]], [[17th Indian Division]], and [[18th Indian Division]].<ref name = MoberlyXXXVI>Brig-Gen F.J. Moberly, ''History of the Great War: The Campaign in Mesopotamia'', Vol III, London: HM Stationery Office, 1925/Imperial War Museum and Battery Press, 1997, ISBN 978-089839289-0, Appendix XXXVI.</ref>
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	*[[2nd Infantry Division (India)\|2 Mountain Division]] (Dao Division) - The division joined III Corps in late 2000s and is headquartered at [[Dinjan]], [[Dibrugarh district]], [[Assam]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/2-div.htm\|title=2 Mountain Division\|last=Pike\|first=John\|website=www.globalsecurity.org\|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/north-east/third-battalion-of-naga-regiment-be-raised-soon_571317.html\|title=Third battalion of Naga regiment be raised soon\|date=2009-10-16\|access-date=2021-07-11}}</ref>		*[[2nd Infantry Division (India)\|2 Mountain Division]] (Dao Division) - The division joined III Corps in late 2000s and is headquartered at [[Dinjan]], [[Dibrugarh district]], [[Assam]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/2-div.htm\|title=2 Mountain Division\|last=Pike\|first=John\|website=www.globalsecurity.org\|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/north-east/third-battalion-of-naga-regiment-be-raised-soon_571317.html\|title=Third battalion of Naga regiment be raised soon\|date=2009-10-16\|access-date=2021-07-11}}</ref>

	*[[56th Mountain Division (India)\|56 Mountain Division]] - raised at [[Zakhama]], [[Nagaland]] and presently at [[Likabali]], north of the [[Brahmaputra River\|Brahmaputra]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.chindits.co.in/2009/11/armys-first-mountain-division-for-china.html\|title=Army's first mountain division for China in northeast kicks off !!\|date=11 November 2009\|publisher=Chindits\|language=en\|access-date=12 October ~~2022~~}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.vifindia.org/article/2013/october/7/why-mountain-strike-corps-along-the-india-china-border-is-important\|title=Why mountain strike corps along the India-China border is important\|date=2013-10-07\|access-date=2021-07-11}}</ref> It includes 46 Brigade ([[Dibang]]) and the 22 Brigade ([[Lekhapani]]), though 22 Brigade may shift to [[2nd Infantry Division (India)\|2nd Mountain Division]].		*[[56th Mountain Division (India)\|56 Mountain Division]] - raised at [[Zakhama]], [[Nagaland]] and presently at [[Likabali]], north of the [[Brahmaputra River\|Brahmaputra]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=http://www.chindits.co.in/2009/11/armys-first-mountain-division-for-china.html\|title=Army's first mountain division for China in northeast kicks off !!\|date=11 November 2009\|publisher=Chindits\|language=en\|access-date=12 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.vifindia.org/article/2013/october/7/why-mountain-strike-corps-along-the-india-china-border-is-important\|title=Why mountain strike corps along the India-China border is important\|date=2013-10-07\|access-date=2021-07-11}}</ref> It includes 46 Brigade ([[Dibang]]) and the 22 Brigade ([[Lekhapani]]), though 22 Brigade may shift to [[2nd Infantry Division (India)\|2nd Mountain Division]].

	*[[57th Mountain Division (India)\|57 Mountain Division]] (Red Shield Division) - headquartered at [[Leimakhong]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/57-div.htm\|title=57 Mountain Division / Red Shield Division\|last=Pike\|first=John\|website=www.globalsecurity.org\|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref> Raised in 1966 for counterinsurgency operations in [[Mizoram]]. Until 1990, headquartered at [[Aizawl]] with III Corps.<ref name=Conboy8>Conboy, Elite Forces of India and Pakistan, p.8</ref> Globalsecurity.org reports the 57 Mountain Division headquarters are at Masimpur near Silchar.<ref>Globalsecurity.org, 17 July 2010</ref> The formation and units of 57 Mountain Division are deployed in some of the remotest corner of Manipur and Indo-Burmese border.<ref>{{cite web\|author=John Pike \|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/57-div.htm \|title=57 Mountain Division / Red Shield Division \|publisher=Globalsecurity.org \|access-date=2017-01-17}}</ref> 57th Mountain Division took part in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] as part of [[IV Corps (India)\|IV Corps]]. It also successfully conducted [[Operation Golden Bird]] in 1995 to eliminate rebels in Northeast India.<ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h9KGAwAAQBAJ&q=Wyakaung+beach&pg=PA185\|title=Troubled Periphery: The Crisis of India's North East By Subir Bhaumik\|isbn=9788132104797\|last1=Bhaumik\|first1=Subir\|date=10 December ~~2022~~}}</ref>		*[[57th Mountain Division (India)\|57 Mountain Division]] (Red Shield Division) - headquartered at [[Leimakhong]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/57-div.htm\|title=57 Mountain Division / Red Shield Division\|last=Pike\|first=John\|website=www.globalsecurity.org\|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref> Raised in 1966 for counterinsurgency operations in [[Mizoram]]. Until 1990, headquartered at [[Aizawl]] with III Corps.<ref name=Conboy8>Conboy, Elite Forces of India and Pakistan, p.8</ref> Globalsecurity.org reports the 57 Mountain Division headquarters are at Masimpur near Silchar.<ref>Globalsecurity.org, 17 July 2010</ref> The formation and units of 57 Mountain Division are deployed in some of the remotest corner of Manipur and Indo-Burmese border.<ref>{{cite web\|author=John Pike \|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/57-div.htm \|title=57 Mountain Division / Red Shield Division \|publisher=Globalsecurity.org \|access-date=2017-01-17}}</ref> 57th Mountain Division took part in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] as part of [[IV Corps (India)\|IV Corps]]. It also successfully conducted [[Operation Golden Bird]] in 1995 to eliminate rebels in Northeast India.<ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h9KGAwAAQBAJ&q=Wyakaung+beach&pg=PA185\|title=Troubled Periphery: The Crisis of India's North East By Subir Bhaumik\|isbn=9788132104797\|last1=Bhaumik\|first1=Subir\|date=10 December 2009}}</ref>

	== Commanders ==		== Commanders ==
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	\|10 January 2019		\|10 January 2019
	\|[[8th Gorkha Rifles]]		\|[[8th Gorkha Rifles]]
	\|<ref name="Lt. Gen Sirohi">{{Cite news\|url=http://www.nagalandpost.com/lt-gen-sirohi-takes-over-as-goc-3-corps/188339.html\|title=Lt. Gen Sirohi takes over as GOC 3 Corps\|work=Nagaland Post\|access-date=23 July ~~2022~~}}</ref>		\|<ref name="Lt. Gen Sirohi">{{Cite news\|url=http://www.nagalandpost.com/lt-gen-sirohi-takes-over-as-goc-3-corps/188339.html\|title=Lt. Gen Sirohi takes over as GOC 3 Corps\|work=Nagaland Post\|access-date=23 July 2020}}</ref>
	\|-		\|-
	\|Rajeev Sirohi		\|Rajeev Sirohi

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{{Refimprove|date=May 2008}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = III Corps
| image =[[File:Spear corps.jpg|250x250px]]
| caption =
| dates = 1915–1919? 1941–1942 1980s–present
| country = {{flag|British India}} {{flag|India}}
| allegiance =
| branch = {{army|British India}} {{army|India}}
| type = [[Corps|Army Corps]]
| role = [[Counter-insurgency]]
| size = [[Corps]]
| command_structure = [[Eastern Command (India)|Eastern Command]]
| garrison = [[Dimapur]]
| nickname = ''Spear Corps''
| patron =
| motto =
| colors =
| march =
| mascot =
| equipment = 
| battles =
| anniversaries =
| decorations =
| battle_honours =
| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_2 = 
| current_commander = Lt General JP Mathew
| ceremonial_chief =
| colonel_of_the_regiment =
| notable_commanders = [[General (India)|General]] [[Dalbir Singh Suhag]] [[General (India)|General]] [[Bipin Rawat]] Lieutenant General [[Lewis Heath|Sir Lewis MacClesfield Heath]]
}}
The '''III Corps''' is a formation of the [[Indian Army]] formed during [[World War I]] in [[Mesopotamia]]. Prior to the reorganization of the British and Indian forces in Mesopotamia, it was designated as the '''Tigris Corps'''. It is located in the state of [[Nagaland]] of India in the city of [[Dimapur]]. The military station is known as Rangapahar Military Station.

A new III Corps was formed by the [[Indian Army during World War II]] for service in [[Southeast Asia]]. The corps fought in the [[Battle of Singapore]] where it surrendered in February 1942.<ref>Ramakrishna</ref>
{{Indian Army Corps
|previous=[[II Corps (India)|II Corps]]
|next=[[IV Corps (India)|IV Corps]]
}}

==First World War==
Initially formed in December 1915, it was split into two in November 1916 to form the [[I Corps (British India)|I Corps]].<ref>[http://www.1914-1918.net/corps.htm Listing of British Corps], accessed July 2010. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916015039/http://www.1914-1918.net:80/corps.htm|date=16 September 2017}}</ref> Under [[Frederick Stanley Maude]] it took part in the [[Mesopotamian campaign]].

Among its component divisions during World War I were the [[Cavalry Division (United Kingdom)|Cavalry Division]], [[3rd (Lahore) Division]], [[6th (Poona) Division]], [[7th (Meerut) Division]], [[12th Indian Division]], [[14th Indian Division]], [[17th Indian Division]], and [[18th Indian Division]].

==Second World War==
The '''Indian III Corps''' was the primary ground formation that took part in the [[Malayan Campaign]] in 1942. It was commanded by Lieutenant-General [[Lewis Heath|Sir Lewis "Piggy" Heath]].

Indian III Corps was formed in mid-1941 as part of the [[Malaya Command]] when the increase in tension in the [[Far East]] necessitated the dispatch of large reinforcements to the area to deter [[Japan]]. On 7 December 1941 the Corps consisted of the [[9th Infantry Division (India)|Indian 9th Infantry Division]], commanded by Major-General [[Arthur Edward Barstow]], the [[11th Infantry Division (India)|Indian 11th Infantry Division]], commanded by Major-General [[David Murray-Lyon]], a [[lines of communication]] Area, and the Penang Fortress.<ref>Orbat.com/Niehorster, [http://niehorster.org/017_britain/41-12-08/ind_corps_03.html III Indian Corps], 7 December 1941</ref> Due to the rapid expansion of the [[British Indian Army]], many of the formations in the Indian divisions were ill-trained and lacked large enough [[Cadre (military)|cadre]]s of experienced troops.

The British had plans – [[Operation Matador (1941)|Operation Matador]] and [[Operation Krohcol]] – to move forward into the south of [[Thailand|Siam]] to forestall Japanese advances. However, lack of forewarning, combined with caution over upsetting Japan needlessly with precipitate actions, prevented the plans from being implemented. This put the garrison on the defensive, a position from which it never recovered.

III Corps was pushed down the Malayan peninsula by Japanese units, who employed novel tactics. When confronted with an [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] strong point on a road, the [[Imperial Japanese Army|Japanese troops]] would leave a screen in front of the position, and then send infiltrators round through the jungle to outflank the position. Having been surrounded, positions were usually relatively easy to take. III Corps and the rest of the Allied land forces were pushed back to [[Singapore]] itself by February 1942. There they [[Battle of Singapore|endured a short siege]] before the island surrendered at the direction of [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant-General]] [[Arthur Percival|Arthur Ernest Percival]]. Some of the prisoners taken from Indian III Corps subsequently joined the [[Indian National Army]].

==Post independence==
After the independence of [[India]], a new III Corps was raised by the [[Indian Army]] in the 1980s. It is based at [[Dimapur]] in north east India, and contains mountain formations and is tasked for use in any future Indian war against [[China]]. [[Jane's Information Group|Jane's]] estimates that it consists of:<ref>Jane's World Armies, Issue 19, 2006</ref>

*[[2nd Infantry Division (India)]] (Dao Division<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/2-div.htm|title=2 Mountain Division|last=Pike|first=John|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref>) headquartered at [[Dibrugarh]], [[Assam]].
*[[56th Mountain Division (India)|56th Mountain Division]] headquartered at [[Zakhama]], [[Nagaland]] Reportedly operational October 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.chindits.co.in/2009/11/armys-first-mountain-division-for-china.html|title=Army's first mountain division for China in northeast kicks off !!|date=11 November 2009|publisher=Chindits|language=en|access-date=12 October 2018}}</ref> Includes 46 Brigade ([[Dibang]]) and the 22 Brigade ([[Lekhapani]]), though 22 Brigade may shift to [[2nd Infantry Division (India)|2nd Mountain Division]].
*[[57th Mountain Division (India)|57th Mountain Division]] (Red Shield Division<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/57-div.htm|title=57 Mountain Division / Red Shield Division|last=Pike|first=John|website=www.globalsecurity.org|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref>) headquartered at [[Leimakhong]]. Raised in 1966 for counterinsurgency operations in [[Mizoram]]. Until 1990 headquartered at [[Aizawl]] with III Corps.<ref name=Conboy8>Conboy, Elite Forces of India and Pakistan, p.8</ref> Globalsecurity.org reports the 57 Mountain Division headquarters are at Masimpur near Silchar.<ref>Globalsecurity.org, 17 July 2010</ref> The formation and units of 57 Mountain Division are deployed in some of the remotest corner of Manipur and Indo-Burmese border.<ref>{{cite web|author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/57-div.htm |title=57 Mountain Division / Red Shield Division |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |access-date=2017-01-17}}</ref> 57th Mountain Division took part in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] as part of [[IV Corps (India)]]. It also successfully conducted [[Operation Golden Bird]] in 1995 to eliminate rebels in Northeast India.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h9KGAwAAQBAJ&q=Wyakaung+beach&pg=PA185|title=Troubled Periphery: The Crisis of India's North East By Subir Bhaumik|isbn=9788132104797|last1=Bhaumik|first1=Subir|date=10 December 2009}}</ref>

== List of commanders ==
{{Incomplete list|date=June 2021}}
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Rank
!Appointment Date
!Left Office
!Unit of Commission
!References
|-
|Rakesh Kumar Loomba
|[[Lieutenant general]]
|2008
|
|Skinner’s Horse
|<ref>{{Cite news|others=Special Correspondent|date=2009-08-31|title=Lt. Gen. Loomba new Military Intelligence chief|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Lt.-Gen.-Loomba-new-Military-Intelligence-chief/article16878218.ece|access-date=2020-11-06|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|-
|N.K. Singh
|[[Lieutenant general]]
|August 2009
|
|
|
|-
|[[Dalbir Singh Suhag]]
|[[Lieutenant general]]
|2012
|
|[[5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force)|4/5 Gorkha Rifles]]
|
|-
|Srinivasan Lakshmi Narasimhan
|[[Lieutenant general]]
|
|
|[[Madras Regiment]]
|
|-
|[[Bipin Rawat]]
|[[Lieutenant general]]
|1 September 2014
|23 November 2015
|[[11 Gorkha Rifles|5/11 Gorkha Rifles]]
|
|-
|[[Abhay Krishna]]
|[[Lieutenant general]]
|23 November 2015
|31 December 2016
|[[Rajputana Rifles]]
|
|-
|[[Anil Chauhan]]
|[[Lieutenant general]]
|1 January 2017
|8 January 2018
|[[11th Gorkha Rifles|6/11 Gorkha Rifles]]
|
|-
|[[Gopal R]]
|[[Lieutenant general]]
|9 January 2018
|10 January 2019
|[[8th Gorkha Rifles]]
|<ref name="Lt. Gen Sirohi">{{Cite news|url=http://www.nagalandpost.com/lt-gen-sirohi-takes-over-as-goc-3-corps/188339.html|title=Lt. Gen Sirohi takes over as GOC 3 Corps|work=Nagaland Post|access-date=23 July 2020}}</ref>
|-
|Rajeev Sirohi
|[[Lieutenant general]]
|10 January 2019
|10 January 2020
|[[The Grenadiers]]
|<ref name="Lt. Gen Sirohi"/>
|-
|Rana Pratap Kalita
|[[Lieutenant general]]
|11 January 2020
|10 February 2021
|9 [[Kumaon Regiment]]
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedispatch.in/lt-gen-rana-pratap-kalita-appointed-as-goc-3-corps-first-assamese-to-don-corps-commanders-mantle/|title=lt-gen-rana-pratap-kalita-appointed-as-goc-3-corps-first-assamese-to-don-corps-commanders-mantle|date=2020-02-10|access-date=2020-02-14}}</ref>
|-
|JP Mathew
|[[Lieutenant general]]
|10 February 2021
|Incumbent
|[[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]]
|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mathew |first1=JP |title=JP Mathew Spear Corps Commander |url=http://www.nagalandpost.com/lt-gen-jp-mathew-next-goc-3-corps/228430.html}}</ref>

|}

==Reference list==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/remembering1942/singapore/transcript.htm Australian War Memorial: Remembering 1942 The fall of Singapore, 15 February 1942]
* [http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/documents.php?aid=103&nid=14&start=0 III Indian Corps History & Personnel]
*http://www.orbat.com (History; Niehorster)

{{Indian Army}}
{{Active_corps_of_the_Indian_Army}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:03 Corps}}
[[Category:Corps of India|003]]
[[Category:Corps of India in World War II]]
[[Category:Corps of India in World War I]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the British Empire in World War II]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in British Malaya in World War II| ]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1915]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1919]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1941]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1942]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1980]]