Page 9 - ch 12

Module - III Indian Army in World War I and II

Military History of the
Indian army was deployed for war in Europe, Africa, Middle East and SE Asia. The
Colonial Era
war happened in three continents. In SE Asia they fought against the Japanese, In
Ethiopia against the Italians, in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt against both the Italians and
the Germans, and in Italy against the Germans.

12.3.1 Eastern Theatre

Having planned the operations in detail and mustered adequate forces, the Japanese
Note
offensive commenced on 8 December 1941, by a simultaneous air and naval
bombardment of Hong Kong (from mainland China) and Malaya peninsula (from
Thailand), along with the attack on Pearl Harbor a day prior. The Allies were deceived
into believing the direction of attack and were surprised when the attacks took place.
The Japanese quickly captured parts of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and
Burma. They had reached Manipur, Mizoram and Imphal. It is here that Indian troops
halted the advance of japanese by theirs sheer grit and determination and turned the
course of the war.
In Malaya, the Allied troops fought to stop the offensive by occupying successive
delaying positions based on rivers, road communications, towns and villages, but were
by-passed by the Japanese Forces, who adopted the tactics of infiltration (moving
inside enemy territory quietly in small groups of men), encirclement (surrounding enemy
from attacking from unexpected directions), establishing road blocks for cutting routes
of withdrawal and launched multi-directional attacks, often through thick jungles,
swamps and rubber plantations.

Fighting was severe from both sides, casualties heavy, but Japanese troops pressed
their attacks fiercely, especially at night. The British under Field Marshal Slim started
an offensive to drive the Japanese back. Five Divisions of Indian Army took part in the
operations in the Arakans (Burma).
The US Air Force provided air support as well as Special Forces. The attacks were
very fierce and there were numerous casualties on both sides. Indians won 18 Victoria
Cross and many other awards for their bravery. The Indian army was well trained now
to fight in the jungles and used the same tactics of the Japanese to infiltrate and hit the
enemy from the rear. The well-planned and brave actions made the Japanese to
surrender, thus ending the war in this part of the globe.

Among the battles fought against the Japanese, the Battle of Kohima (present day
Nagaland) and Imphal (Manipur) are considered the fiercest battles in modern history.
"The Japanese regard the battle of Imphal to be their greatest defeat ever," said Robert
Lyman, author of "Japan's Last Bid for Victory: The Invasion of India 1944." "And it
gave Indian soldiers a belief in their own martial ability and showed that they could
fight as well or better than anyone else."

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MILITARY HISTORY