The Second World War in the Far East and Pacific

Seamen from the Royal Indian Navy learning their
'Bends' and 'Hitches' while under training at Bombay.
Courtesy: Imperial War Museum

The Far East and Pacific From 1941 to 1945, huge numbers of soldiers, sailors and airmen from the Indian sub-continent, Africa, China and the South West Pacific fought in campaigns against the Japanese.

Over 200,000 soldiers from India and 90,000 soldiers from East, West and Central Africa took part in the Burma campaign between 1942 and 1945, which was undertaken in a very difficult environment of hot, humid jungles and mountains. They played a crucial role in defeating the Japanese, and fought in the battles of Kohima and Imphal. They were also involved in Wingate’s long range Chindit operations, in the attacks along the Arakan coast, and in the successful offensive operations in central and southern Burma to recapture Mandalay, Meiktila and Rangoon.

Men from Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea helped to stop the Japanese advance in the south west Pacific and took part in their subsequent defeat there.

Chinese personnel were involved in the defence of Hong Kong. Chinese men and women from the Colony also played a very important part behind the lines in the Far East, sabotaging the Japanese war effort, gathering intelligence and assisting allied personnel escape from Hong Kong and evade Japanese lines.

The Royal Indian Navy (RIN)and the Indian Air Force (IAF) provided naval and air support. The Royal Indian Navy were involved in operations in the Red Sea and the Bay of Bengal, and played an important part in the campaign against the Japanese to capture the Arakan coastline of Burma.

Indian Air Force units fought alongside their RAF counterparts during the withdrawal from Burma, and subsequently went on to play a key role in the liberation of that country, flying in the fighter, tactical reconnaissance and ground attack roles. During the course of the Second World War, the IAF flew more than 16,000 sorties and over 24,000 operational flying hours; 688 members of the IAF were killed, a further 231 died in the field and 367 were wounded.

By 1945 the Indian Air Force had become a highly professional body, centred around nine Hurricane and Spitfire squadrons; at its peak, the service was 25,000 strong. In recognition of its contribution to the Allied victory, the Indian Air Force was granted the prefix ‘Royal’ on 12 March 1945.