Indian Army during World War II
The Indian Army during World War II, a British force also referred to as the British Indian Army, began the war, in 1939, numbering just under 200,000 men. By the end of the war, it had become the largest volunteer army in history, rising to over 2.5 million men in August 1945. Serving in divisions of infantry, armour and a fledgling airborne force, they fought on three continents in Africa, Europe and Asia.
New Indian Army recruits
Subedar (VCO Captain) Chawan of 3rd Battalion, 5th Mahratta Infantry, 1943. His battalion had served in North Africa between 1941-1943 before taking part in the invasion of Italy. His unit was involved in the crossing of the Sangro, the advance to Florence, the breaking of the Gothic Line and the engagements at Alpe de Vitigliano and the River Senio.
WAC(I) Naval Wing officers
Central Indian Horse after re-occupation of Benghazi
5th Infantry Division (India)
The 5th Indian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Indian Army during World War II that fought in several theatres of war and was nicknamed the "Ball of Fire". It was one of the few Allied divisions to fight against three different armies - the Italian, German and Japanese armies.
Cheering crowds welcome the 5th Indian Division after the liberation of Singapore, 1945.
Troops of the 5th Indian Division guarding stockpiles of weapons handed in by surrendering Japanese forces in Singapore.
Disarmed Japanese soldiers, the officers still carrying their swords, march out of Singapore towards prisoner of war camps watched by troops of the 5th Indian Division.
A soldier from the 5th Division stands guard over Japanese prisoners who surrendered during the liberation of Singapore. September 1945.
