The Indian Army, 1939–47

’... this collection of papers is invaluable in understanding how the Indian Army operated during the Second World War. It is easy to forget that its cream was initially deployed to North Africa and that the troops sent to Malaya and Singapore, and in the Arakan to an extent, were ill trained and hardly ready for combat... Yet, within a year of the Arakan disasters it was transformed into a first class fighting machine that repulsed the final major Japanese offensive in Burma and went on to drive them out of the country. It stood up well to the challenges of the immediate post-war years and maintained its good order and discipline through Partition and beyond. These papers show how all this was achieved and their authors are to be much congratulated.’ Mars & Clio: the journal of the British Commission for Military History 'The Indian Army, 1939-47 is an excellent book which is a must-read for historians of the Second World War and the British Empire. It also contains much food for thought for those concerned with doctrine, training and military culture. It deserves a wider readership than just its core audience.' RUSI Journal 'This book is a very readable outcome of an inspiring conference and lays the groundwork for further research. It should be read by anyone with a serious interest in the role of the Indian Army in the Second World War. Highly recommended. DURBAR, Journal of the Indian Military Historical Society 'Over a number of important and extremely interesting chapters, this book offers a snapshot on how the Indian Army worked within and then emerged from an Imperial system of security.' Second World War Military Operation Research Group