During World War II (1939-1945), India produced the largest volunteer army in world history; over 2.5 million men.
At least, 38 Indians received the Victoria Cross or the George Cross.
Indians fought with distinction throughout the world, including in the European theatre against Germany, in North Africa against Germany and Italy, in the South Asian region defending India against the Japanese and fighting the Japanese in Burma.
Indians also aided in liberating British colonies such as Singapore and Hong Kong after the Japanese surrender in August 1945. Over 87,000 Indian soldiers (including those from modern day Pakistan, and Bangladesh) and 3 million civilians died in World War II.
Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief, India, asserted the British “couldn’t have come through both wars [World War I and II] if they hadn’t had the Indian Army.
