Indian Troops - Allied with Germany

[Guest Darrell]

Anyone want to hazard a guess where abouts this picture was taken or anything of value? It appears a date of 1943 on the back, but not 100% sure that's relavent to the picture date or not.

[Guest Darrell]

rev

[Ed_Haynes]

If it is 1943, which I suspect it is, it would have been taken out in Bordeaux, where is where the AHF was based after any chance of them even reaching India vanished (= Stalingrad).

[Guest Darrell]

If it is 1943, which I suspect it is, it would have been taken out in Bordeaux, where is where the AHF was based after any chance of them even reaching India vanished (= Stalingrad).

Thanks Ed,

Is there any information on GMIC with regards to the AHF? Did these volunteers join in '42 when propects looked good that the Germans would press onto the Eastern Countries with their summer offensive?

[Taz]

Hello Darrell,

Here is a little info for you.

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliede...ter/IR950-R.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indische_Legi...n_der_Waffen_SS

Regards Eddie.

[Paul R]

Did they have any Indian Officers, or were they ALL German?

[Ed_Haynes]

Not much very good has been done, as most have not bothered with the records and have drawn instead upon the 'wisdom' of 'Third Reich' collector 'wisdom'. Not suce how much the newly available 'INA Papers' in the National Archives (New Delhi) deal with the European INA (Azad Hind Fauj). Next time I'm back, I'll know.

Interesting that the soldiers in the picture above wear the eagle and swastika of Germany. Early on they didn't, but after Bose's departure they couldn't resist the Nazi pressure.

The whole 'Waffen SS' connection is debated. None of the veterans I contacted (Indian or German) were aware of that connection and certainly never wore nor even knew of that uniform and ostensible badges.

[Ed_Haynes]

Did they have any Indian Officers, or were they ALL German?

JCOs in Europe (on British pattern), only in Asia were the INA officers Indian. Among the major differences between the two INAs.

[Paul R]

JCOs in Europe (on British pattern), only in Asia were the INA officers Indian. Among the major differences between the two INAs.

Thanks Ed!

[Guest Darrell]

Yeah .. Thanks Ed and Taz for the info.

[Guest WAR LORD]

They were dfinitly wearing the Eagle and swastika before Bose left. Also the SS Uniform was being worn by late 1944.

Edited January 5, 2008 by WAR LORD

[webr55]

Here's a picture of a Legion member taken in France 1943 (Hourtin):

[Chris Boonzaier]

Here's a picture of a Legion member taken in France 1943 (Hourtin):

He seems to be wearing the huge British shorts?

[Chris Boonzaier]

Not much very good has been done, as most have not bothered with the records and have drawn instead upon the 'wisdom' of 'Third Reich' collector 'wisdom'.

Maybe instead of relying on the Third Reich collector "Wisdom" they should then pull their fingers out and present an alternate "Wisdom" then ?

Its no good Joe saying "Why is Pete on the radio and not me" when Joe never makes a record.

[webr55]

He seems to be wearing the huge British shorts?

That might be! I don't think there's anything German like that.