The Unsung Warriors : INDIA (WWI)

The Unsung Indian Warriors of World War 1, India played a crucial role during World War One. As part of British Colony, Indian soldiers contributed a large number of soldiers to the European, Mediterranean and the Middle East conflicts of war in World War I. More than 13 lakh Indian soldiers served during World War I fighting for the Britishers.

Today I will highlight upon the Unsung Indian Warriors in Gallipoli , A tale of Indian Bravery which is buried in history.

To the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, therefore, and to those who were associated with that famous Corps in the battle of Sari Bair – the Maoris, Sikhs, Gurkhas, and the new troops of the 10th and 13th Divisions from the old Country – Sir Ian Hamilton tenders his appreciation of their efforts, his admiration of their gallantry, and his thanks for their achievements. -Special Order from Sir Ian Hamilton

Gallipoli is located in the southern part of East Thrace, the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles strait to the east. 

As India was the Part of British Colony during WWI, therefore around 15,000 Indians Including Gurkhas, Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus fought with allied troops at Gallipoli. (14th King George’s Own Ferozepore Sikhs (14th Sikhs), the 69th Punjabis, the 89th Punjabis, and the 1/6th Gurkha Rifles.) Many believe around 1400 Indian Soldiers were dead and 3500 were wounded. Which lasted for about 8 months but their contribution remains relatively unknown and unrecognized.

The contribution of Indian Army during the Gallipoli campaign is totally been overlooked by the world and to enlighten the contribution of Indian Army, Australian historian Professor Peter Stanley in his book, “Die in Battle, Do not Despair, The Indians on Gallipoli 1915, Highlights the courage of Indian troops and their friendship with Australian soldiers during World War I and finally managed to fill this void. To understand the Indian experience of Gallipoli, you must search the Anzac records – the diaries, photos and letters of Anzac soldiers who wrote endearingly about their Indian mates”, says Stanley.

Stanley tells us that even the most famous Australian Anzac John Simpson Kirkpatrick (popular in Australian folklore as Simpson and his donkey), used to stay with the Indian mule drivers in the battlefields of Gallipoli because he preferred the fresh food cooked by the Indian troops much more than the bully beef that was supplied in the Australian rations. There are mentions of Simpson enjoying “chapattis” and freshly cooked curries, just two weeks before he himself succumbed to the war.

August 9, 1915, With no backup coming. The Gurkha commander, Major C G L Allanson decided to attack the mighty Turks. The soldiers had hardly moved 200 yards but the artillery barrage broke up the attack. It was actually the Royal Navy that had shelled them mistaking to Turks. Later on, the 69th and 89th Punjabis were withdrawn because this Brigade included many Muslim soldiers and Britishers thought that the soldiers may reluctant as they were against the Muslim troops of the Ottoman Sultan.

Contribution of Indian soldiers during World War I is always been overlooked by many Indians.

“The average Indian is almost ignorant about Gallipoli as a campaign in World War I,” – Wing Commander Rana Chhina (R)

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