Indians in Japaneese army?

[Henrik Andersson]

German and Italy have legions from India.
But how was the indian-japaneese collobration?

[nino]

There was an Indian legion under Japanese Army, the Indian National Army lead by ex-British Indian Army captain Mohan Singh. Formed in singapore by a Japanese intelligence unit (F-Kikan) from Indian POWs, the unit later taken over by Subhas C. Bose in 1943 after he left Germany by an U-Boat. Later, the INA joined with Japanese army during the latter attack against Arakan.

Regards

Nino

[TPMM]

...INA's units took part in siedging Imphal and Kohima in Arakan. This units had too less qualified officers and had almost no artillery. During this operation INA lost from 4500 to 5500 men. But only 400 were KIA - rest of them deserted and joined british army. After that, INA was reduced - most Indians were sent back to camps and some volunteers fought in Japanese units.
About 20.000-25.000 Indian POWs volunteured to colaboration units. But most of them joined INa only to adoid hunger and bad treating in camps, so their loyality was problematical.
Best wishes.

[pzrmeyer2]

There is a great recently released book that deals extensively on this subject. It is called "Forgotten Armies" by CHristopher Bayly, and is focused on the Burma-Malaya area with a lot on India.

[TPMM]

My source:
James F. Dunnigan, Albert A. Nofi "The Pacyfic War. Encyclopedia".
That is also a really good one.

Best wishes.