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Indian Army in World War I and II Module - III

Military History of the
Field Marshal Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from 1942,
Colonial Era
asserted that the British "couldn't have come through both wars (World War I and II)
if they hadn't had the Indian Army."

12.3.2 Western Theatre

Let us shift attention to Africa where the Allies were fighting the Germans and Italians.
Indian troops were shifted from Asia to Africa where some of the most remarkable Note
battles were fought.

(i) In Africa, the Italians and Germans had established bases in East Africa (Somalia,
Eritrea, Abyssinia) and North Africa (Libya, Tunisia etc). These bases threatened
the sea routes of merchant ships and would seriously affect trade and commerce
of European nations. Hence, capture of these countries became a necessity. As
part of Allied forces, three Infantry Divisions were deployed to fight and defeat
the Axis powers of Germany and Italy. Battles were fought in the Saharan deserts,
Egypt, Sudan and Somaliland.

(ii) Iraq and Persia were the next areas of battle where the oil fields were to be
protected against Germans. The Germans at that time were advancing into Russia.
Indian army captured oil fields at Basra, Abadan. After the surrender of Iraq
and Iran, the Indian forces were deployed in Iraq for internal security duties.
The Allies did not want the Germans to control Syria and Lebanon. These two
countries would also control the vital sea link of Suez Canal. Therefore, they
launched an offensive to take control of these two countries. This attack was
very successful and Syria and Lebanon were quickly captured.

(iii) In Europe, the Germans had taken control of France, Poland, Hungary and
were in the process to capture, Greece and Cyprus. By this action they would
create a link between Africa-Europe and Iraq. Indian army took part in the
capture of Italy in October 1943, and later of Greece in 1944.

INDIAN ARMY VICTORIA CROSS WINNERS IN WORLD WAR II

WWII - East
Africa 1941
Rank First Name Last Name Regiment

2nd Lieutenant Premindra Singh BHAGAT Royal Bombay Sappers &
th
Miners 4 Bn (Outram's ),
th
Jamadar Richpal RAM 6 Rajputana Rifles

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MILITARY HISTORY 85