Monday, November 28, 2011

Jeffery-Russell Armoured Cars of the 7th Armoured Motor Battery (AMB). Waziristan, ca. 1920


7th Armoured Motor Battery (AMB)

The 7th Armoured Motorized Battery, created in 1915 and aimed at the northwest frontier was formed by three Mercedes Armoured Cars (made on chassis of Mercedes passenger cars) and a support vehicle. Destined in Dera Ismail Khan, in May 1919 took part in the Waziristan campaign. Later he added the 6th Armoured Motorized Battery, consisting of three Minerva Armoured Cars and a support vehicle and destining to Bannu. Along side the two batteries continued to participate in the campaign (see below OOB part), added to the 1st Section of Defence Lines of Communication, Tanks area. At this time the armoured Mercedes and Minerva were replaced by four Armoured Cars Jeffery-Russell (4x4). Then the 7th AMB was destined to the 10th Armoured Car Company (10th ACC) belonging to the Tanks Corps (TC). They were also destined to the 10th Company (along with the 7th AMB) the following batteries:

10th ACC - India (II-1921)

 5th AMB (II-1921)----------------------3 x Jeffery-Russell
 7th AMB (VIII-1921)-------------------4 x Jeffery-Russell
13th AMB (VIII-1921)------------------3 x Wolseley 12/16
15th AMB (VIII-1921)------------------3 x Cadillac ???
16th AMB (VIII-1921)------------------3 x Wolseley 24/30



7ª Batería Motorizada Blindada (AMB - Armoured Motorized Battery)

La 7ª Batería Motorizada Blindada, creada en 1915 y destinada a la Frontera Noroeste, estaba formada por tres Coches Blindados Mercedes (realizados sobre chasis de coches de pasajeros Mercedes) y un vehículo de apoyo. Destinada a Dera Ismail Khan, en mayo de 1919, intervino en la campaña de Waziristán. Posteriormente se le agregó la 6ª Batería Motorizada Blindada, formada por tres Coches Blindados Minerva y un vehículo de apoyo, destinándose a Bannu. Juntas ambas Baterías siguieron participando en la citada campaña (ver abajo OOB parcial), agregadas a la 1ª Sección de Defensa de las Líneas de Comunicación de la zona de Tank. En esta época los coches blindados Mercedes y Minerva fueron suistituidos por cuatro coches blindados Jeffery-Russell (4x4). Posteriormente la 7ª AMB fue destinada a la 10ª Compañía de Coches Blindados (10th Armoured Cars Company, 10 th ACC), perteneciente al Tanks Corps (TC). También fueron destinadas a la 10ª compañía (junto a la 7ª AMB) las siguientes Baterías:


10th ACC - India (II-1921)

 5th AMB (II-1921)----------------------3 x Jeffery-Russell
 7th AMB (VIII-1921)-------------------4 x Jeffery-Russell
13th AMB (VIII-1921)------------------3 x Wolseley 12/16
15th AMB (VIII-1921)------------------3 x Cadillac ???
16th AMB (VIII-1921)------------------3 x Wolseley 24/30

INDIAN ARMY

DISTRIBUTION OF TROOPS IN WAZIRISTAN ON 6TH MAY 1919.
(Partial exposure)


Bannu Area.
In BANNU.

31st D. C. O. Lancers (less 1 Squadron).
1 Sec. 6-3 R. M. L. guns.
1 Section 33rd Indian Mountain Battery.
1-103rd Mahratta Light Infantry.
3-6th Gurkha Rifles.
Nos. 5 & 6 Armoured Motor Batteries.

In DARDONI.


1 Squadron 31st D. C. O. Lancers, 1 Section.
33rd Indian Mountain Battery (less 1 section).
55th Field Company Sappers and Miners.
1-41st Dogras.
2-112th Infantry.

In KURRAM GARHI.— Detachment 3-6th Gurkha Rifles.

NORTHERN WAZIRISTAN MILITIA and FRONTIER CONSTABULARY holding their usual posts.

Derajat Area. 

In DERA ISMAIL KHAN.


27th Cavalry (less one Squadron).
27th Indian Mountain Battery (less one section).
1-76th Punjabis (less 2 ½ Companys).
2-2nd Gurkha Rifles.
No. 7 Armoured Motor Battery.

In TANK.

1 Squadron 27th Cavalry.
1 Section 27th Mountain Battery.
2 Platoons 1-76th Punjabis.

In MANZAI.

75th Field Coy. Sappers and Miners.
1-66th Punjabis.

In JANDOLA, KHIRGI, GIRNI, JATTA— 2 COYS. 1-76th Punjabis.

SOUTHERN WAZIRISTAN MILITIA FRONTIER and CONSTABULARY holding their usual posts.

TROOPS COMPRISING WAZIRISTAN FORCE, 1919-20.
(Partial exposure)

In DERAJAT.


No. 1 Section, Tank Lines of Communication Defences.

Area:


Darya Khan to Hathala (both inclusive), later from Darya Khan to half way between Khirgi and Jandola.

Commander:


Brigadier-General R. B. Worgan, D.S.O.

Headquarters:

Dera Ismail Khan (later in Tank).

Cavalry:


16th Cavalry.
21st P. A. V. O. Cavalry (less 1 Squadron).
27th Light Cavalry.

Artillery:


1 Section, No. 35 Indian Mountain Battery.
1 Section, 15-pr. Guns. F. G .A.
Machine Gun Corps:

Nos. 6 and 7 Armoured Motor Batteries.
Post Machine Guns.

Infantry:


62nd Brigade Headquarters.
Brigade Signal Section.
2-90th Punjabis.
2-94th Infantry.
2-102nd Grenadiers.
2-113th Infantry (later moved up to Kotkai and joined No. 2 Section, Tank L. of C.).
2-127th Baluchis (later moved up to Sorarogha and joined 43rd Brigade).
2- 150th Infantry (joined 43rd Brigade at Kotkai on 29th December 1919).
Southern Waziristan Militia (less detachment with Striking Column).

Supply Units:


No. 119 Brigade Supply Section.
½ No. 395 Bakery Section.
½ No. 395 Butchery Section.

Details:


Post Stokes Mortars.
1 Stationary Wireless Plant.
************ 
Abbreviations:

D. C. O. Lancers = Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers
F.G.A. = Fighter Ground AttackL. of C. = Lines of Communication
P. A. V. O. Cavalry = Prince Albert Victor's Own Cavalry
R. M. L. = Rifled Muzzle-Loading – (Siege or "position" howitzer/mortar)

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