Author Topic: Remembering The "Forgotten Army" (Read 826 times)

LondonPunjabi · « **on:** August 11, 2010, 08:15:02 PM »

My grandfather was in Burma during the Japanese invasion in WW2, he was part of the “Forgotten Army”. I remember the scars on his body from the torture he suffered along with other POWs. As far as he was concerned Japan will always be unforgiven. He wasn’t alone with that sentiment as there are many more like him, Indian, British and Burmese. I wish to say "Baba ji, I am proud of you as I sit and look at your medals".

Indeed, The Japanese were brutal in their treatment of prisoners in WW2 and as for their record of occupation of the Chinese, you need to read about the Rape of Nanking.

As far as I am aware Japan has never apologised to the people of India and Burma. Given that it used Indian captured soldiers for target practice and put them through far greater levels of torture than any other troops. The Japanese have even tried to erase from history their activities during their occupation of China by changing history books taught in school. Not long ago the Chinese people threatened to erase all Japanese business from China if the Japanese re-wrote history.

The British Fourteenth Army was a multinational force comprising units from Commonwealth countries during World War II. Many of its units were from the Indian Army as well as British units and there were also significant contributions from West and East African divisions within the British Army.

It was often referred to as the "Forgotten Army" because its operations in the Burma Campaign were overlooked by the contemporary press, and remained more obscure than those of the corresponding formations in Europe for long after the war

It is clear that the 1st Sikh battalion (aka 14th Sikh, Ferozpure Sikhs and King Georges Own) were there under Maj Gen Slims's command. It appears as if the famous 2nd Sikh (15th Ludhiana) were also there. There were almost definitely more Sikh forces under his command; more time is required to track down the exact details. This paper represents the work done to date on this request.

General Sir Frank Messervy KCSI, KBE, CB, DSO said of the Sikh regiments:
"Finally, we that live on can never forget those comrades who in giving their lives gave so much that is good to the story of the Sikh Regiment. No living glory can transcend that of their supreme sacrifice, may they rest in peace.
In the last two world wars 83,005 turban wearing Sikh soldiers were killed and 109,045 were wounded. They all died or were wounded for the freedom of Britain and the world and during shell fire, with no other protection but the turban, the symbol of their faith."

Author Topic: Remembering The "Forgotten Army" (Read 826 times)

LondonPunjabi

Remembering The "Forgotten Army"

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