Description

This monumental work covers all aspects of India's contribution to the Allied cause between 1939 and 1945. The narrative is packed with a huge amount of information regarding even the smallest fighting, logistical and medical units and sib-units, and yet it remains eminently readable throughout.

Campaign in Western Asia describes the operations the operations conducted by the Indian troops in Iraq. Syria and Iran to stem the tide of German advance, which at one stage even threatened the Indian borders. Even after the Axis threat had been contained Indian forces continued to garrison the area to facilitate the transport of necessary war material to Russia. This in the way greatly helped the Russian war effort, which finally resulted in the defeat of Germans.

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.