![]() ![]() They, and most Indian troops, had to serve under British officers, as colonials were not thought to be 'officer material'.Īlthough the colour bar in the British services had been lifted for the duration of the war, in fact very few black men - or women - served in the British army, and none in the Royal Navy. In all, some 166,500 Africans were involved in helping to defeat the Japanese. When the French colonies in West Africa were freed from Vichy domination, British West African troops, no longer needed in such numbers for Home Guard duties, were moved to Burma, together with some East African brigades. One East and one West African brigade participated in the re-taking of Abyssinia and one man from each was awarded the Military Medal. Recruitment in both East and West Africa had begun early in the war. ![]() Usually produced by mainly British-owned companies, these exports provided the firms with vastly increased profits, at the expense of badly housed and underfed African labour. Palm oil, nuts, rubber, tin, bauxite, sisal and food stuffs were among the ever-increasing exports. The war also meant increased demands for raw materials, which were sometimes produced by forced labour. A very small number served as aircrew with the RAF. By December 1944 some 5,000 were enlisted in the West African Air Corps as groundcrew. This, of course, necessitated the employment of vast numbers in war work, for example, in building and maintaining airfields and naval bases.įor example, the US military in Accra employed 6,000 men in construction and other war work. Ships bound for India and the east, unable to use the Suez Canal, had to sail via the Cape, and were serviced and victualled at West African ports. Aircraft destined for the 'Middle East' and the North African front had to fly via West Africa ,and were serviced there. This necessitated the involvement of more millions of men and women in war work and war production.īritain's colonies in West Africa, Gambia, Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast (now Ghana) and Nigeria also served as staging posts and military bases during World War Two. The land of India also served as an assault and training base, and provided vast quantities of foods and other materials to British and Commonwealth forces, and to the British at home. The citation for his Victoria Cross stated that he had 'dominated the fight' with 'his outstanding example, doubtless courage and superb leadership.overed in blood from his own wounds, he led assault after assault'. Although badly wounded, he continued to lead a charge against the Japanese forces on the Tiddim Road in Burma. The story of one of the 31 recipients of the VC is that of Havildar Gaje Ghale, who, in May 1943 was in command of D platoon, 2nd battalion, 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles. The only VC winner from elsewhere in the Empire was Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu, of the Fiji Military Forces, who earned this highest of all commendations in June 1944, at Bougainville. Indian personnel received 4,000 awards for gallantry, and 31 VCs. Over 36,000 Indian members of the armed forces were killed or went missing in action, and 64,354 were wounded during the war. Four men of the Fourth were awarded Victoria Crosses. Together with the 8th and 10th Division it participated in the taking of Monte Cassino, after which it was moved to Greece. ![]() The Fourth Indian Division also fought in North Africa, Syria, Palestine, Cyprus and then in Italy. ![]()
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