ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Over the last few years there has been mention in the media of the assistance given to the Japanese by surrendered Indian Army personnel captured in Singapore. I wish to record my experience as Intelligence Officer and later Company Commander in 1st Bn 11th Sikh Regt. I first heard mention of the INA on the march from Kohima to Tamu which our column reached on 1st January 1945. In early February we reached the Irrawaddy River opposite Pagan and on 15th February we saw a large group of white shirted Indians on the other side waving to surrender. We finally got them over to our side 15th/17th February 1945 and I interrogated a large number of the 100 plus men and formed the following opinion as to why they joined the INA. Most had been threatened by the Japanese against not joining although the latter had little time for them afterwards. Many came to the conclusion that by joining they would be near the front and be able to defect to our lines. They were only equipped with those weapons handed over in Singapore. I never heard of Subash Chandra Bose ever visiting forward positions in Burma.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.