Bose And The INA Justified?

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by Elven6, Nov 29, 2008.

  1. Elven6

    Elven6 Discharged

    Looking back at it and hearing accounts from Indian soldiers, I'm having mixed feelings about Subhas Bose and his cause. I understand what he did was foolish for lack of a better term, especially if he succeed. Despite 2.5 million unconscripted soldiers ready to fight for Britain, I think it's safe to say Churchill didn't have their best interests in mind.

    I was listening to Mark Tullys radio program about the Indian Army during WW2 and the soldiers had complained that during the war the canteens and such would have signs on the outside saying "No Dogs or Indians Allowed". I could see why many would use this as a motivation to fight with the INA, "Why Should We Fight For People Who Don't Care About Us" is the reason a INA vet used.

    Of course those that wouldn't come willing to the INA were often tortured in both Japanese and German POW camps. His army was about 40K in size, about 1/4 the size of the Indian army before the outbreak of WW2.

    From what I hear, Bose is a very celebrated figure in Japan. So what do you guys think? Do you think his movement had some justification behind it or none at all?
     
  2. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    I think that the man was a Political Opportunist.
    From the point of view from the Indian people wishing Independence from the British, he was no doubt a hero.

    To the British he was Traitor. It is always the same in whatever country you care to name.
    They are either a Patriot or a Terrorist, depending on your persuasion.

    You do not read much about it but several British POW's ended up fighting as an SS unit in Berlin against the Russians.
    From what I believe, they were firm anti Communists and all died fighting the Russians in Berlin.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I think that the man was a Political Opportunist.
    From the point of view from the Indian people wishing Independence from the British, he was no doubt a hero.

    To the British he was Traitor. It is always the same in whatever country you care to name.
    They are either a Patriot or a Terrorist, depending on your persuasion.

    You do not read much about it but several British POW's ended up fighting as an SS unit in Berlin against the Russians.
    From what I believe, they were firm anti Communists and all died fighting the Russians in Berlin.

    Regards

    Tom

    Thats interesting Tom.....Any sources on the net?

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  4. Elven6

    Elven6 Discharged

    Hmm interesting, do you have a source regarding the SS unit?
     
  5. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    Bose was used by the Japanese for their anticipated gain.I cannot see the Japanese benefiting any country it "liberated". What was the future of any country belonging to the Japanese sphere of control through its South East Asian Co-Prosperity ideal, certainly not as an equal partner.India was never to know and independence came quickly after the war which was from the British Government's policy of granting self determination to colonies and the like as a different value was put on the future of the post war British Empire.
     
  6. Elven6

    Elven6 Discharged

    Bose was used by the Japanese for their anticipated gain.I cannot see the Japanese benefiting any country it "liberated". What was the future of any country belonging to the Japanese sphere of control through its South East Asian Co-Prosperity ideal, certainly not as an equal partner.India was never to know and independence came quickly after the war which was from the British Government's policy of granting self determination to colonies and the like as a different value was put on the future of the post war British Empire.

    Bose was also good friends with Hitler, he even ran a radio station in Germany spread word of his cause. I assume the pact that Mussolini, Hitler, and the Emperor had was strong enough reason for the Japanese to have supported someone who was also a ally of the others. (If that makes sense)

    He is also pretty respected in Japan by the looks of it

    Photo
    Photo from Getty Images by AFP/Getty Images - Daylife

    I remember seeing more of billboards in Japan with Bose on them (Pretty Recently of course), I will try and find those images.
     
  7. Kharkov43'

    Kharkov43' Junior Member

    Hmm interesting, do you have a source regarding the SS unit?
    "google" British Friekorps. I don't know how free they were though.

    [​IMG]

    A recruitment poster.
     
  8. Elven6

    Elven6 Discharged

  9. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Sorry I was late getting back to you as I have been visiting the Weihnacht Markt in Spandau, having a good time.

    My source is a German edition of a Book which was first published in the UK 2003 by Sutton Publishing Ltd, UK.
    English title "Waffen SS Handbook" ISBN 3-85492-706-1

    Page 115 shows the collar badges of the Non German units.
    The Britisches Freikorps had Three lions (Drei liegende Löwen).
    Page 83 states that there was only a small number of between 50 and 60 British POW's that in early 1944 began service as the Freikorps.
    It goes on to say that there were disciplinary problems, but a handful fought with the Division 'Nordland' in the final battle of Berlin.

    The Indian soldiers (exPOW's) that decided to volunteer for service with the SS wore a Tigers head collar patch and were the 'Indische Freiwilligen-Legion der SS'.

    I had read this as a young man so it came as no surprise to read it again when I bought the book.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  10. Elven6

    Elven6 Discharged

    The Indische Freiwilligen-Legion der SS or "Azad Hind" are the INA.

    Regarding the Britisches Freikorps, where did that number come from? Surley their would have been more then the 27 claimed by many considering Oswald in Britian.
     
  11. Harry Ree

    Harry Ree Very Senior Member

    I think these volunteers deceived the Germans as apparently they had no intention to fight.They volunteered in order to skive, although there was a couple of the group who were already indoctrinated and whose role was to motivate the others.There was a documentary on the affair and it appeared the volunteers were able to circulate freely in Berlin and "enjoy" themselves with the pleasures of life.The Germans did not have any return from their investment.

    Having said that they were bought to book at the end of the war and didn't suffer too badly.One of the group had emigrated to Australia and as an old man was confronted by an interviewer but beat a quick retreat from publicity but denied he had been involved in the affair nearly 60 years ago.
     
  12. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Harry,
    I have just looked at the link to Wikipedia. Quite informative write up.
    I tend to agree with your comments about no real intention to fight in the majority of cases.
    It is a fact that many POW's were at the their wits end and anything to get out of the Prison camp would be a welcome release.

    Having said that it was excellent propoganda for the Germans.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  13. Elven6

    Elven6 Discharged

    I find it odd none of the 1100 were called into question, the article isn't very descriptive about them, were they POW or British civilians?
     
  14. Simon_Fielding

    Simon_Fielding Withnail67

    Try the book 'Renegades' by Adrian Weale. I reviewed it on Amazon. A sad collection of misfits.
     

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