Lexi Webster
During World War II, India and Australia, as part of the British Empire, played significant roles in the Allied forces' efforts against the Axis powers. India, with its diverse military capabilities and strategic location, provided a vital base for American operations in support of China and contributed over two and a half million soldiers to the war effort. The Indian Air Force played an important role in halting the Japanese advance in Burma and provided air defence during the Allied invasion of Sicily. Australia, despite not being directly threatened, sent a volunteer army and air force to support Britain, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East. Australian forces were crucial in the Pacific theatre, defending against Japanese aggression and playing a key role in offensive operations like Operation Cartwheel. Both countries experienced significant social and economic changes due to their involvement in the war, with increased industrialisation and the expansion of women's roles in society.
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What You'll Learn
India's role in WWI
When World War I broke out in 1914, India was a British colony and part of the British Empire. As such, India played a significant role in the war as part of the Allied forces, contributing a vast number of troops and resources to the war effort.
During WWI, approximately 1.3 million Indian troops served overseas, with almost 1.5 million Muslim, Sikh and Hindu men volunteering to fight for the Indian Expeditionary Force. These soldiers fought in various theatres of war, including the Western Front, East Africa, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Gallipoli. The Indian Corps won numerous medals for gallantry, with 12 Victoria Crosses among them. However, the cost of the war was high, with at least 74,187 Indian soldiers losing their lives and over 65,000 wounded.
The Indian National Congress, which advocated for greater self-government in India, supported Britain in the war, believing that it would strengthen their case for independence. Despite these expectations, Britain's post-war attitude alienated many Indians, including Mahatma Gandhi, and fuelled the independence movement.
India's contribution to WWI is often overlooked, with a limited understanding of the extent and significance of their involvement. This may be due to the horrors of trench warfare and the focus on battles like those at the Somme and Verdun, assumed to have solely involved European combatants. Additionally, the war had a detrimental economic impact on India, pushing the country near bankruptcy due to the export of resources to Britain.
In summary, India played a crucial and extensive role in WWI, with far-reaching consequences for the country's independence movement and global standing.
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India's role in WWII
India played a significant role in World War II, particularly as part of the British Indian Army, the Royal Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force (IAF). Being a part of the British Empire at the time, India officially declared war on Nazi Germany in September 1939 and joined the Allied forces.
The Indian Army, a British force, began the war with nearly 200,000 men, and by the war's end, it had grown to over 2.5 million soldiers, becoming the largest volunteer army in history. Indian troops fought across Africa, Europe, and Asia, battling Italian and German forces in North Africa and Europe, and primarily engaging the Japanese Army in Southeast Asia. The bulk of the Indian Army was committed to fighting the Japanese, first during the British retreat from Burma to India, and later in the advance back into Burma as part of the largest British Empire army ever assembled. The Indian Army also played a crucial role in halting the Japanese advance in Burma, with the IAF executing the first air strike on a Japanese military base in Arakan. The IAF also conducted strike missions against Japanese airbases in northern Thailand, providing close air support, aerial reconnaissance, and pathfinding missions for RAF and USAAF bombers.
In addition to the Indian Army's contributions, the Royal Indian Navy underwent a "phenomenal" expansion during the war. Starting with only eight warships, its strength grew to include several fleet minesweepers and anti-aircraft sloops built in the UK. These ships escorted convoys in the Atlantic and provided defence against U-boats and aircraft. The Women's Royal Indian Naval Service was also established during the war, giving women a role in the navy for the first time.
Beyond military contributions, India served as a base for American operations supporting China, and as a vast garrison and supply ground for the war effort in South-East Asia. Numerous Indians worked behind the scenes to secure supply lines, with non-combatants like cooks, mechanics, and washermen supporting the Allied forces. India's strategic location and rich resources made it crucial for Britain's colonial interests, providing easy access to East African colonies and protecting against Japanese and German invasions.
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Australia's commemorated involvement in WWI
Australia's involvement in World War I has been commemorated in various ways, and it played a significant role in the conflict as part of the British Empire.
Australian Forces in WWI
Following Britain's declaration of war on Imperial Germany in August 1914, Australia, as a member of the British Empire, was automatically at war. The Australian Imperial Force (AIF) was quickly formed, and by the end of 1914, 52,561 volunteers had been accepted, despite strict physical fitness guidelines. The AIF fought alongside New Zealanders as the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli from April to December 1915. The AIF was then expanded to five infantry divisions and committed to the fighting in France and Belgium along the Western Front in March 1916 as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). Two mounted divisions remained in the Middle East to fight Turkish forces in the Sinai and Palestine, serving with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
National Mythology and Remembrance
The exploits of the AIF, particularly at Gallipoli, became central to Australia's national mythology. Commemorating and celebrating the AIF became an entrenched tradition after the war, with Anzac Day forming the centrepiece of remembrance. The soldiers who served in the AIF, known colloquially as "Diggers", became one of the paramount Australian archetypes.
Indian Soldiers in WWI
It is worth noting that while Australia's contribution to WWI is widely recognised, the role of Indian soldiers has often been forgotten or relegated to footnotes in popular histories of the war. India, also part of the British Empire at the time, contributed a significant number of divisions and brigades to various theatres of war, including Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Approximately 1.3 million Indian troops served in WWI, and over 74,000 of them lost their lives.
India Gate
In New Delhi, the triumphal arch known as India Gate was constructed in 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who lost their lives in WWI. It is a popular monument, visited by hundreds daily, many of whom are unaware of its original purpose.
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Australia's involvement in WWII
On 3 September 1939, Australian Prime Minister Robert Gordon Menzies announced that Australia was entering World War II, declaring war on Germany following its invasion of Poland. At the time, Australia was still part of the British Empire and strongly believed in supporting Britain. However, the country was unprepared for war, with a small army of around 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers.
Australia soon raised a volunteer force, the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF), and sent the 6th, 7th, and 9th Divisions overseas to aid Britain and her allies. Australian troops fought in North Africa, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Lebanon, Greece, and Crete, suffering defeats at the hands of the Germans in Greece, Crete, and North Africa. In June and July 1941, Australians participated in the Allied invasion of Syria, and up to 14,000 Australians defended the Libyan port of Tobruk.
Despite long-held fears that Japan would enter the war, the Australian government initially committed many of its forces to Europe and North Africa. However, in 1941, Japan attacked British, Dutch, and American territories in Asia and the Pacific, and Australian troops were needed closer to home. In 1942, the 6th and 7th Divisions were recalled from the Middle East to defend against the Japanese in the Pacific, and the Australian mainland came under direct attack for the first time, with Japanese bombing raids on northern towns and an attack on Sydney Harbour by submarines.
By the end of the war, close to a million Australians had served, including over 5,000 Indigenous soldiers and approximately 70,000 women. Women served in auxiliary services and took on technical jobs, freeing men for combat. The war reshaped Australia's international relationships and fostered a sense of national identity, influencing post-war social and economic reforms.
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India and Australia's post-war relationship
During World War II, India was a part of the British Empire and played a crucial role in the British campaign against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Australia, on the other hand, was an independent dominion within the British Empire and also fought against the Axis powers.
In recent years, India and Australia have enjoyed a strong and growing relationship. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth and share democratic values and Commonwealth traditions. The two nations have a history of cooperation and collaboration, with Australia supporting India's candidature in an expanded UN Security Council and India providing vital support to Australia during World War II.
The Australia-India Council (AIC), established in 1992, has played a significant role in promoting mutual awareness and understanding between the two countries. The annual Defence Policy Talks and the 1.5 Track Defence Strategic Dialogue provide platforms for strategic dialogue and the enhancement of defence cooperation. In 2015, the two countries agreed to deepen their defence ties, with regular personnel and training exchanges, joint military exercises, and increased interoperability.
The economic relationship between India and Australia has also flourished. The Australia-India Joint Ministerial Commission meetings since 1989 have provided opportunities to advance economic ties, with India being the world's fastest-growing major economy and an essential partner for Australia. The entry into force of the Australia-India Economic and Trade Agreement (ECTA) in 2022 was a landmark in this regard. Additionally, the two countries have complementary economies, with Australia providing raw commodities and resources, and India offering a talented STEM workforce.
People-to-people links have also strengthened the bilateral relationship. The Indian-Australian community in Australia is the second-largest and fastest-growing overseas-born group, with almost one million Australians tracing their heritage to India. The increasing number of Indian students studying in Australia, growing tourism, and shared sporting interests, especially cricket and hockey, have further solidified the bond between the two nations.
In summary, India and Australia have a strong and growing post-war relationship, characterised by robust defence ties, thriving economic cooperation, and deep cultural and people-to-people connections.
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Frequently asked questions
India was a part of the British Empire during World War II and officially declared war on Nazi Germany in September 1939. India sent 2.5 million soldiers to fight under British command and played a crucial role in defending the Indian subcontinent against the Japanese forces. The Indian Army, Navy and Air Force also fought in various theatres of war worldwide, including in Europe, North Africa and Southeast Asia.
Australia was also part of the Allied forces and sent a volunteer army, the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF), to support Britain. Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen fought the Germans, Italians and Vichy French in Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean. Australian forces also played a key role in the Pacific War, making up the majority of Allied strength in the South West Pacific theatre.
Yes, Indian servicemen who served during World War II and had a remaining service period at the time of independence went on to become members of the future armies of post-partition India and Pakistan.
Yes, World War II led to significant changes in Australian society. The war accelerated the development of Australia's manufacturing industry and contributed to a more cosmopolitan society, with women playing a larger role.
