Osprey Elite 75 : The Indian Army 1914-1947

The Indian Army of the British Empire - in 1914 the largest volunteer army in the world - has an unrivalled romantic appeal; and when independence led to its partition between India and Pakistan in 1947 it was not only generations of British officers who mourned the end of a long tradition of loyal volunteer soldiering. The Indian divisions made a huge contribution to the British war effort in both World Wars, fighting in the trenches of the Western Front and in the Middle East in 1914-18, and in North Africa, Italy and Burma in 1939-45. Ian Sumner describes the developing organisation, uniforms and equipment of the Imperial and other regiments during the thirty years which saw them at the peak of their numbers and their combat service. Mike Chappell colour plate illustrations detail a wide range of colourful and interesting dress and combat uniforms.

Contents

• The Indian Army and the 1904 Kitchener Reforms
• World War I
• Interwar Reforms & 'Indianisation' of the Officer Corps
• World War II
• Partition of the Army between India and Pakistan, 1947
• The Regiments - Cavalry, Infantry, Artillery, Sappers, Pioneers, Supporting Services
• The Armies of the Princes
• Auxiliary Force (India)
• Frontier Corps
• Uniforms
• Commentary on Colour Artwork