60th (2/2nd London) Division

60th (2/2nd London) Division
Active	31 August 1914 – 31 May 1919
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Type	Infantry
Engagements	World War I 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 field operations and it was not sent overseas to France until mid-1916. 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 sent to France, 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), the Battle of Megiddo (1918), the Battle of Sharon (1918), and the Battle of Nahr el Faliq.

The divisional insignia was a bee.

Formation

Monument to the December 9, 1917, surrender of Jerusalem to the 60th London Division.

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 2nd Battalion, 19th Punjabis, 2nd Battalion, 127th Baluchis and 3rd Battalion, 151st Punjabi Rifles.

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 Battalion, 30th Punjabis, 1st Battalion, 50th Kumaon Rifles and 2nd Battalion, Guides Infantry.

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 2nd Battalion, 97th Deccan Infantry, 130th Baluchis and 2nd Battalion, 152nd Punjabis.

Engagements

Macedonian Campaign 1917

• Battle of Doiran

Sinai and Palestine Campaign 1917

• Third Battle of Gaza
• Battle of Beersheba
• Battle of Jerusalem

1918

• Attack on Shunet Nimrin and Es Salt
• Battle of Megiddo
• Battle of Sharon
• Battle of Nahr el Faliq

General Officer Commanding

• Major-General Edward Bulfin 1915 - 1916
• Major-General John Stuart Mackenzie Shea 1916

See also

• List of British divisions in World War I