60th (2/2nd London) Division

60th (2/2nd London) Division
Active	World War I 31 August 1914 – 31 May 1919
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Territorial Force
Type	Infantry
Engagements	Third Battle of Gaza
Commanders
Notable commanders	Edward Bulfin

The British 60th (2/2nd London) Division was the second of two second-line Territorial Force divisions formed from the surplus of London recruits in 1914. Originally the division merely supplied the first-line Territorial divisions with drafts to replace losses through casualties. It was not until late 1915 that the division began to be equipped for a combat role and not until mid-1916 was it sent overseas to France. As a "lesser" infantry division it was sent to the minor fronts of Salonika and finally Palestine. In mid-1918 most British battalions were replaced with Indian battalions and the division effectively became a British Indian Army division.

Its engagements included the Third Battle of Gaza, the Battle of Beersheba (1917), the Battle of Jerusalem (1917), the Second Transjordan attack on Shunet Nimrin and Es Salt (1918), and the Battle of Megiddo (1918), the Battle of Sharon (1918), and the Battle of Nahr el Faliq.^{[citation needed]}

The division's insignia was a bee.

Formation

179th (2/4th London) Brigade

• 2/13th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
• 2/14th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)
• 2/15th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)
• 2/16th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)

In June 1918 three battalions were replaced by the 2/19th Punjabis, 2/127th Baluchis and 3/151st Infantry.

180th (2/5th London) Brigade

• 2/17th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)
• 2/18th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (disbanded July 1918)
• 2/19th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
• 2/20th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)

In July 1918 three battalions were replaced by the 2nd Guides, 2/30th Punjabis and 1/50th Kumaon Rifles.

181st (2/6th London) Brigade

• 2/21st (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (disbanded in June 1918)
• 2/22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment
• 2/23rd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)
• 2/24th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (until May 1918)

In June 1918 three battalions were replaced by the 2/97th Deccan Infantry, 130th Baluchis and 2/152nd Infantry.

See also

• List of British divisions in WWI

External links

• The British Army in the Great War: The 60th (2/2nd London) Division