Rifle Platoon (Indian)
(BR782)
The Indians fighting in the Mediterranean were part of the world’s largest ever-volunteer army (2.5 million).
It was an army of Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. They served together in spite of the mounting religious tension in India, which eventually led to partition. They ignored Mahatma Gandhi when he called on Britain to quit India in the middle of the war.
The Sikh soldiers came from families with a long tradition of serving in the same regiment. To them the regiment was their ’ma baap’ (mother and father).
With the outbreak of war the traditional Indian army was not prepared, equipment and training were lacking. But the unique bond between British officers and Indian soldiers was the foundation on which an army 12 times larger than its peacetime strength was assembled.
Between the wars, a limited number of Indians had been commissioned as officers. Now many more were needed.
Though the war was not India’s, Indians were among the most heroic, borne out by the fact that they won over 4,000 gallantry awards, among them almost 20 Victoria Crosses.
Over 36,000 Indians were killed during the war and official estimates put the wounded at 64,000.
15mm, metal
Battlefront Miniatures
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Tissington Close Unit 4C
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