On October 23-24, 1943 in the midnight, the Azad Hind Government declared war on Britain and USA. The latter was included because there were American forces on Indian soil, although the USA was in fact sympathetic to the demands for Indian freedom.
Within a year, lakhs of Indian expatriates signed oath of citizenship in Southeast Asia by declaring:
‘I, a member of the Azad Hind Sangh [Indian Independence League], do hereby solemnly promise in the name of God and take this holy oath that I will be absolutely loyal and faithful to the Provisional Government of Azad Hind, and shall be always prepared for any sacrifice for the cause of the freedom of our motherland, under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose’ [cited in Bose: 259].
Japan government promised all kinds of diplomatic and military help to the Azad Hind Government. Bose also persuaded them to regard INA not as a subordinate outfit but as an allied army. The legal control of the Andaman and Nicobar islands was given to the Azad Hind Government by the Japanese, although the latter retained the military control.
The Azad Hind Government headquarters was shifted to Burma from Singapore in January 1944. Bose prepared an alternative structure of government with a full-fledged cabinet and ministers, the Azad National Bank, its own postage stamp, and a national currency.
The advance guerrilla unit known as ‘Subhas Birgade’ had already moved there. The Japanese army was also now ready for the offensive. Although the Japanese wanted to attach small groups of INA soldiers with larger Japanese units, Bose refused to subordinate Indian soldiers to Japanese command and control, and insisted on an independent role and identity for the INA. He also firmly believed that it was the sacrifice of the Indian soldiers which mattered more for Indian freedom.
It was agreed that one battalion of INA would join the fight against British West African division. After that the INA would move towards Kohima and Imphal in Indian territory. In February some of the INA units successfully fought against the British in Burma. Then in March 1944, the INA, along with the Japanese forces, moved towards Imphal and Kohima by crossing Indo-Burma frontier. The Indian soldiers were very happy and enthusiastic about being in their own country. On this front, around 84,000 Japanese and 12,000 INA soldiers faced about 150,000 British troops. The Japanese troops had not carried much ration with them for speed and they had pinned their hope on the quick capture of Kohima and Imphal. In April 1944, they seemed to be very close to capturing Imphal and Kohima, as they laid seize to Imphal. The INA soldiers were fighting very well and their spirit was very high. They had hoisted the Indian tricolour flag in Moirang, a short distance from Imphal. There was a lot of optimism among the Azad Hind leaders, soldiers, and its adherents in general. A ‘free India’ seemed to be round the corner.
However, due to the stiff resistance offered now by the British-led forces, the seize was prolonged. During the three-and-half months of seize, under difficult circumstances, their limited ration was getting exhausted. While the British troops were well supplied with ration by continuous American supply by air, the Japanese air support was much restricted and inadequate. Some of the fiercest battles of the World War were fought here in May 1944. The INA brigades were also involved in these fights.
Unfortunately, the monsoon rains arrived early that year. Very heavy rains started which obliterated the tracks and made the whole area muddy. There was nothing much to do on fighting front and the only option was to wait. Already facing problems of transportation and shortages of supplies, the INA and Japanese soldiers were inflicted with malaria and it was difficult to procure medicines being stranded on the forest areas. Yet, the mood among the soldiers as well as other Indians in Southeast Asia was still optimistic. The stalemate continued throughout June and early week of July. Then, on 10 July, the Japanese intimated Bose that it would now be difficult to hold on there and they would now retreat from that theatre of war. The INA units were also much distressed as there was a severe lack of food and medicines along with prevalence of many diseases including malaria. Now retreat was the only option which was taken in the third week of July. Later on 26 July, Japan announced the suspension of campaign in Northeast India. In retreat, a lot of soldiers died due to diseases and starvation, many more were injured and sick.
Bose, in a radio address on 21 August 1944, accepted that INA’s bid to take control in North-east India had not been successful. According to him, early monsoon and the problems in transportation were mainly responsible the lack of success. Before the monsoon came the INA and the Japanese soldiers were doing very well, but after that it became difficult to hold on. He did not lose hope and exhorted the soldiers to be prepared for the next round of engagement.
Although the majority of INA troops who took part in action in the North-east were now grounded, another large contingent of soldiers arrived from Malaya in Burma who were ready for action. By then the war had arrived in Burma with the British and American forces trying to drive out the Japanese from there. The INA soldiers were also involved in fighting. They were deployed in Malaya also against the British-American forces.
On the bank of Irrawady in Burma, the INA forces encountered the British forces in February 1945. They inflicted several casualties on the British and blocked their crossing of the river for the time being. Despite the huge air support from the Americans, the British forces did not advance much and stalemate continued even in March 1945.
It was then that some officers of the INA deserted to the British. Even more importantly, the Burmese government, sensing the eventual Japanese defeat, turned against them and in favour of the advancing British. This created major problems of Bose who then negotiated with the Burmese government that their soldiers would not fight against each other.
Despite these problems, however, the INA soldiers fought valiantly in April around Mount Popa. But in face of superior British forces, they had to withdraw after losing a lot of soldiers. It was clear now that INA could not win this war, but it kept on fighting. On 29 April 1945, Prem Kumar Sahgal was captured by the British, and on 18 May Shah Nawaz Khan and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon were taken prisoners.
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