Campaign in Western Asia

Official History of the Indian Armed Forces in the Second World War 1939-45 Campaigns in the Western Theatre

von Dharm Pal

648 Seiten, Hardcover

Kurzbeschreibung des Verlags

Western Asia as a theatre comprised of three countries - Iraq, Syria and Iran - of an area also referred to as the Levant. This was a vital region during the Second World War just as it remains so today. A land bridge between Asia and Europe as well as Europe and North Africa wherein lay colonies and dominions of many major European powers and particularly for Great Britain control of this area was important for sustenance of the colonies and continued links with Europe. Oil reserves formed an important factor as well. The importance of this region today has not diminished, thus the study of the Campaign assumes significance for many of the political conditions or vectors of conflict continue to remain the same to this day. The theatre assumed operational importance during the Second World War after the victory of the Africa Corps led by Rommel. As Rommel's forces reached Alexandria and the gates of Cairo and the German offensive in the Caucasus and Russia progressed in 1941, Hitler envisaged the possibility of a pincer in the North to complement the Africa Corps. This was to sweep through the Levant using the base provided by the Vichy French. This was more of an improvisation presented by opportunities of war as Hitler's world view was mainly continental and restricted to Europe. Contribution of the Indian Armed Forces to the Second World War. The net outcome was that this remained a peripheral theatre for Hitler but for the British it could not be neglected, as it was part of the external defence of India. Deployment of forces in this theatre was diverted for employment from South East Asia and Indian 10 Infantry Division earmarked for Malaya was diverted to Basra. This was followed by 6 and 8 Indian Infantry Divisions in Western Asia; in addition 5 Infantry and 31 Armoured were also deployed later. These were grouped in 4 and 21 Corps during the course of the Campaign. These forces did not face substantial opposition except for a few battles such as Deir Ez Zor where the brilliance of planning and use of outflanking moves led to rapid success. Thus there were no major battles in this theatre, no Victoria Crosses to be won. But as Clausewitz states, in war waiting and action are of equal importance for waiting in many cases is necessary especially for control of a vital territory even when it may not have a major enemy threat.

• Themen: Geschichte und Archäologie Geschichte Militärgeschichte Besondere Kriege und militärische Feldzüge Zweiter Weltkrieg
• ISBN: 9781474539937
• Sprache: Englisch
• Erscheinungsdatum: 01.03.2024
• Größe: 254 x 178 mm
• Verlag: Naval & Military Press