 
 
INDIAN MILITARY HISTORY
"LOYALTY & HONOUR’’ - THE INDIAN ARMY: September 1939
- August 1947.
By Chris Kempton.
Between September 1939 and the surrender of Japan in August
1945 the Indian Army expanded to become the largest all
volunteer army in history. During this time it was involved
in every theatre, except the Pacific, in effect defeated
the Japanese in Burma on its own and subsequently was involved
in the re-occupation of Malaya, Siam and Indo-China, also
the re-occupation and uprising in the Netherlands East Indies,
as well as contributing substantially to the Commonwealth
occupation force in Japan.
Despite this involvement only four full Indian Divisional
histories [excluding the 3rd] have been written and there
is very little detailed information on Orders of Battle
of Divisions and Brigades, or their commanders and operational,
or non-operational, performance.
"Loyalty & Honour" is the only comprehensive
record to be published and the first to use the War Diaries
only recently available at the National Archives. In three
volumes with over 400 pages coverage is comprehensive and
it will form an essential part of the library of any serious
student of the Indian Army, World War II, or both
Volume I. DIVISIONS
This volume contains an introduction and general background
followed by coverage of all Armoured, Infantry and Airborne
Divisions. Each Division, including 1st Burma Division,
has a comprehensive Order of Battle, details of Divisional,
Artillery and Engineer Commanders and a divisional history.
For the first time this detail is given for the short lived
Armoured Divisions, [2nd / 32nd, 43rd & 44th], the Middle
East [PAIFORCE] Divisions, the two Training Divisions and
the virtually unknown 21st and 34th Divisions. Post-war
deployments in Malaya, Burma, Siam, Indo-China and the Netherlands
East Indies are covered as is the occupation force in Japan
[Brindiv].
As well as in-depth coverage of all aspects of the war in
Burma from 1942 on there is considerable detail on 4th &
5th Indian Division''s East African Campaign in 1940/1941,
the operations in the Middle East, and also the Malayan
Campaign involving 9th & 11th Indian Divisions.
The volume concludes with a section showing Divisional Formation
Signs, in colour, an alphabetical listing of Divisional
Commanders and CRA's, and a comprehensive Bibliography for
all parts.
161 Pages, coloured stills, 210 x 295 mm.
ISBN 978-0-85420-223-2 Hardback Edition. £32.99
ISBN 978-0-85420-228-7 Softback Edition £19.99
Volume II. BRIGADES
Volume II contains Orders of Battle and Commanders, where
known, for all Armoured, Cavalry, Tank, Motor, Infantry,
Parachute and Frontier Brigades. Operational histories are
given which are brief unless the brigade concerned was independent,
or operating in a detached role for a specific engagement
in which case full details are given. Detailed information
is given on 5th Brigade in Syria, 7th Brigade in the Sudan,
16th Brigade at the Sittang, 29th Brigade in East &
North Africa, 43rd Brigade in the Middle East & Italy,
the 77th & 111th ''Chindit'' Brigades and 123rd, 161st
and 268th Brigades in Burma. Coverage is also given to the
Burma and Lushai Brigades, Force 401 [Iran 1946/7], the
ad-hoc brigades formed in the NEI, and, of particular interest,
detail on the ''brigades'' formed in PAIFORCE. There in
an alphabetic listing of all known Brigade Commanders.
108 Pages, 210 x 295 mm.
ISBN 978-0-85420-233-1 Hardback Edition £32.99
ISBN 978-0-85420-238-6 Softback Edition £19.99
Volume III. DEPLOYMENT OF REGIMENTS & BATTALIONS,
HIGHER FORMATIONS, FORCES & COLUMNS, THE ARMY IN INDIA,
MAPS.
The third volume gives the deployment of all RAC and British
Infantry Regiments and Battalions whilst under command of
Indian Divisions or Brigades followed by the deployment
of all Regiments and Battalions [ including non-active service
Battalions] of Indian Armour and Infantry, the Gurkha Brigade,
Indian States Forces [serving outside their State], the
Burma Army and the Nepalese Contingent. Higher Formations
and their Commanders are listed for all theatres involved
and there is a comprehensive listing of the various Forces
and Columns operating in East & North Africa, the Middle
East, France/England, Italy, Greece, Arakan, Burma, Malaya
& Borneo: of particular interest are Force 136 &
''V'' Force in Burma, Sarforce in Borneo and Force K6 in
France & England.
The Appendices cover the overall command structure of the
Army in India, statistics and details of the complex Lines
of Communication Organisation in Assam and Burma. Finally
there are 43 colour maps which cover all theatres, including
India, as well as specific actions including Keren, Cassino,
the Senio, Jitra, Slim River, Singapore Island, Kohima,
Ukhrul/Sangshak, Bilin River, Sittang River, the Irrawaddy
Crossing, the Nyaungu Bridgehead, the Capture & Defence
of Meiktila and Mandalay
This volume contains a wealth of important information,
much extremely hard to find, and published for the first
time in a consolidated form.
150 Pages. Coloured Maps. 210 x 295 mm.
ISBN 978-0-85420-243-0 Hardback Edition. £32.99
ISBN 978-0-85420-248-5 Softback Edition. £19.99
THE INDIAN ARMY : August 1914 - 1920
by Chris Kempton
After the success of Chris Kempton's last book 'Loyalty
& Honour' which covered the Indian Army September 1939
to August 1947 this work will fulfill the same purpose for
World War I and subsequent events up to 1920.
Using the same format as 'Loyalty & Honour' it will
be published in three parts.
Volume I : Divisions.
The Cavalry, Mounted and Infantry Divisions and Divisional
areas. With Commanders, CRA's, CRE's, Brigades, Divisional
Troops, the Divisions' histories for with active service.
There will also be appendicies covering British divisions
'Indianised' and an alphabetical listing of Commanders and
CRA's.
Volume II : Brigades and Secondary Theatres.
The Cavalry, Mounted, Infantry & Frontier Brigades,
with Commanders, units and short histories. The secondary
theatres - East Africa, Aden, Persia and the Gulf, Macedonia/Trans-Caucasia/Russia/Turkey.
Also appendices listing Static IS and Temporary Brigades
& Brigade Commanders
Volume III : Deployment of Regiments / Battalions. Maps
This volume may also include information on Higher Formations
& Army organisation.
[publication Autumn 2006]
THE MOPLAH REBELLION 1921 / 1922
By Lt. Col. A.C.B. MacKinnon. Includes an
extensive introduction by Chris Kempton.
This is an account of how the British forces
suppressed the Moslem insurrection. A bloody but brief rebellion
by Moslems in Malabar coastal region in southern Indian
against the Raj. There is still bitterness in the region
with the Hindus arguing that there was a Moslem massacre
of Hindus and the Moslems arguing there was a Hindu massacre
of Moslems.
145 x 208mm 31 pages, 6 maps & sketches.
Softback Edition £8.99
[publication Autumn 2006]
THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
By Major General J Michael C.S.I.
A paper on the Madras Army 1886 which includes extensive
information on organisation, equipment and interior economy
- Background history of the Army, strength and composition
of the Regiments, recruitment, discipline/punishments, promotion,
pay & allowances, rewards & decorations, musketry
& shooting, &c &c. It also includes the responses
from the presenters' audience, as well a the candid comments
by the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos who had been the Governor
of Madras.
145 x 208 mm, vii + 57 pages with extensive
introduction by Chris Kempton.
ISBN 978-0-85420-946-0 Softback Edition £
8.99
SITANA
by Colonel [later General Sir] John Adye RA
originally published in 1867 & reprinted for the first time.
The 1863 Ambela campaign on the North West Frontier of India
which the author witnessed as a staff officer. One of the
largest military efforts in India after the Mutiny. Starting
as a punitive expedition against a group of fanatics and
dissident tribes it became a major frontier campaign involving
two pitched battles with over 9000 British and Indian soldiers
committed to the struggle. Two Victoria Crosses were won.
The campaign also saw the involvement of some of the most
influential figures in frontier political and military strategy
and included the future Field Marshal Roberts. Sitana is
an excellent study of a mountain campaign undertaken against
overwhelming odds. This edition includes new maps as well
biographical notes on the significant personalities and
lists of the units involved. Shaun Corkerry, a member of
the Victorian Military Society has written an extensive
introduction setting the campaign in context and discusses
the evolution of frontier warfare up to the 20th Century.
210 x 295mm, A-N, i-iii, + 61 pages, 4 col maps, tables,
index.
ISBN 978-0-85420-325-3 Hardback Edition £25.99
ISBN 978-0-85420-330-7 Softback Edition £15.99
SIKHIM
by Colonel John Cox Gawler
originally published in 1873 & reprinted for the first time.
Col Gawler commanded this punitive expedition into a small
but strategically important kingdom on the north east borders
of British India which also bordered on to Tibet, Nepal
and Bhutan. The author recounts his campaign by the use
of his contemporary reports and dispatches. He conducted
this jungle campaign brilliantly, and despite being almost
bloodless, the 1861 expedition into Sikhim has much to teach
modern readers on the conduct of operations in jungle covered
mountain regions. Colonel Gawler served on the South African
Frontier (Kafir)Wars and was an expert in fighting in the
jungle and bush. His modifications to British infantry tactics
and equipment in Sikhim makes fascinating reading. New maps
and biographical details of the key figures have been added
to this edition as well as details of the units involved.
An introduction by Shaun Corkerry, a member of the Victorian
Military Society, discusses the conduct of the campaign
and subsequent wars in Sikhim and Tibet.
210 x 295 mm, xii + 81 pages, 3 maps, index.
ISBN 978-0-85420-345-1 Hardback Edition £25.99
ISBN 978-0-85420-350-5 Softback Edition £15.99
THE ARMIES OF THE INDIAN PRINCELY STATES
by Richard Head and Tony McClenaghan.
Volume 1: An Historical Overview.
This volume sets the Princely States into the overall context
of the British Indian Empire, listing those States which
participated in the Schemes, as well as reference to the
British raised contingents and subsidiary forces. The introduction
of the IST Scheme and it=s later replacement, the ISF Scheme
is detailed and the states and units involved in them are
listed as are Indian army units raised from within the states
in time of war. The basis of the Battle Honours awarded
to state units are explained, as are the honours and rewards
made to soldiers of the states. This volume provides the
background to the rest of the series.
210 x 295 mm, iv + 141 pages, 36 ills, map.
ISBN 978-0-85420-133-4 Softback Edition £19.99
Volume 2: The Patiala Army
As with all volumes there is an overview of the history
and development of the Patiala Army, with a map showing
the state=s location, a listing of all the IST/ISF units
and the state army units (these did not belong to the IST/ISF).
Each regiment has details of its history, organisation,
class composition, war services, honours, rewards and battle
honours. The 1st Patiala Infantry was probably one of the
most famous regiments in the ISF, it=s services in Burma
proved it to be the equal of any Indian Army battalion.
It won an impressive number of awards, including 2 D.S.O.s,
and 8 M.C.s as well as many other awards. The Battalion
Commander, Colonel Balwant Singh Sidhu, was identified as
being an excellent commander, he was one of the few Indian
States Forces officers to command a battalion in action.
He also became an acting brigade commander during the Burma
campaign.
210 x 295 mm, iv + 154 pages, 2 maps.
ISBN 978-0-85420-143-3 Softback Edition £19.99
Volume 3: The Gwalior Army
Gwalior was a state with a strong military tradition and
was one of the states in India which raised, towards the
end of the 18th century, a large force of European trained
troops. It was organised into some 67 battalions of infantry
and about 45,000 irregular cavalry. The last Maharaja of
Gwalior, George Jivaji Rao Scindia, maintained a special
interest in his military forces, which consisted of a brigade
of cavalry, two brigades of infantry, with artillery, engineers
and transport in support. An infantry battalion took part
in the ill-fated landing at Tanga in East Africa in 1914.
In the Second World War units served in Burma, the Middle
East, on the North-West Frontier of India, and on garrison
duties in India.
210 x 295 mm, iv + 179 pages, 2 maps.
ISBN 978-0-85420-158-7 Softback Edition £19.99
Volumes 4 & 5: Sappers and Miners States
Six of the smaller states in the IST / ISF Schemes raised
small units of cavalry and infantry which were gradually
converted into engineer units, the logic being that such
units would be invaluable in wartime whilst minor units
of cavalry and infantry were unlikely to be employable.
This proved to be the case. Units were to see service in
both the World Wars. The Malerkotla Field Company, under
orders, was involved in the demolition of the Sittang River
Bridge in Burma, the blowing of which left many troops of
the 17th Indian Division isolated on the eastern bank of
the river. Much equipment and many weapons had to be abandoned.
Recent research puts the error down to a communications
failure. This unit took part in the long fighting retreat
through Burma following the Japanese invasion of that country.
Sappers And Miners [Part 1] Faridkot, Tehri-Garhwal,
Suket
210 x 295 mm, ii + 151 pages, maps.
ISBN 978-0-85420-011-5 Softback Edition £19.99
Sappers And Miners [Part 2] Malerkotla, Mandi, Sirmoor
210 x 295 mm, ii + 137 pages + maps.
ISBN 978-0-85420-070-2 Softback Edition £19.99
Volume 6: The Bikaner Army
The State Forces of Bikaner were early members of the IST/ISF
Schemes. They earned a reputation for being valuable troops
in times of war. The Ganga Risala (Camel Corps) saw service
in China 1900/01 in an infantry role. During its service
in the Somaliland Campaign 1903/04, the Victoria Cross was
awarded to Lieutenant Walker a Special Service Officer attached
to the unit. This was the only occasion such an award was
made to someone serving in an IST/ISF unit. In Egypt during
the First World War the Ganga Risala as part of the British
Forces fired the opening shots, on the 29th November 1914,
in the campaign against the Turks. The Ganga Risala was
the most famous camel corps in the British Empire. The Bijay
Battery, a camel pack battery (screw guns), was organised
on the same lines as a mountain battery (mule) of the Indian
Army. Later having converted to a mule battery it served
in the Burma Campaign against the Japanese. In both World
Wars additional units were raised.
210 x 295 mm, ii + 121 pages, map & ills.
ISBN 978-0-85420-221-8 Softback Edition £19.99
THE CAMPAIGNS AND MEDALS OF THE HONOURABLE EAST INDIA
COMPANY AND THE INDIAN ARMY
by A G Stone OBE.
THE VICTORIA CROSS RECIPIENTS OF THE HONOURABLE EAST
INDIAN COMPANY AND INDIAN ARMY
By Chris Kempton
New edition, comprehensively revised. This publication is
a convenient reference book that lists the campaigns fought
by the troops of the HEIC and the Indian Army for which
medals were awarded. Mr Stone's original publication has
been out of print for some time and only listed those campaigns
up to 1914. The editors have added a section that completes
the publication to the end of World War II.
In addition this publication includes a list of those who
received the Victoria Cross and the George Cross whilst
serving with the East India Company=s Armies and the Indian
Army. Each entry includes the recipients name, rank, unit,
location and date of the deed, the date of the London Gazette
entry. Also where known, final rank, other decorations and
date of death.
There is also a chapter on other awards for gallantry or
distinguished service with particular reference to the Indian
Order of Merit [Military] and the Indian Distinguished Service
Medal. These awards were exclusively to Viceroys Commissioned
Officers and Indian N.C.Os and Other Ranks.
210 x 295 mm, ii + 82 pages.
ISBN 978-0-85420-308-6 Hardback Edition £25.99
ISBN 978-0-85420-309-3 Softback Edition £15.99
BUTTONS OF THE INDIAN ARMY
by Lt. Colonel N Poulsom.
These reference books have taken many years of research
and the cataloguing of some hundreds of Indian Army buttons
worn between Pre 1861 to 1947 when the old Indian Army was
split between Pakistan and India. The outcome of this research
is being published in a series of volumes consisting of
:
Volume 1. Cavalry
Volume 2. Bengal Army Infantry
Volume 3. Punjab Frontier Force, Madras Army Infantry, Hyderabad
Infantry
Volume 4. Bombay Army Infantry, Gurkha Infantry
Volume 5. Arms and Services
Volume 6. Comprehensive Index of Sections 1-5;
Summary of Battle Honours awarded to each Regiment & summaries
of post 1922 Amalgamations.
Volume 7. Additions, Amendments, Alterations, Corrections,
Post 1914 Battle Honours.
Each volume is divided into Serials; each Serial covering
one Regiment giving details of its lineage from formation
to disbandment, (or to 1947). In addition it contains details
of the Regimental Battle Honours, colour of uniform lace
and finally descriptions of the buttons with the period
they were worn; most of the buttons are illustrated. The
buttons described cover the period from pre Indian Mutiny
of 1857 to the granting of Independence. Early Infantry
buttons of the pre Mutiny era were mainly numbered buttons,
very similar to those used by French Infantry Regiments.
Over the years the buttons developed incorporating battle
honours, emblems and other designs; some of them being works
of art. It is hoped these reference books will go some way
to help clarify the minefield of Indian Army Buttons, a
mission that has never been attempted before, and will result
in an increasing interest in Indian Army militaria.
Volume 1: vi +108 Pages, 144 ills.
ISBN 978-0-85420-094-8 Softback Edition £19.99
Volume 2: vi + 172 pages, 430 ills.
ISBN 978-0-85420-164-8 Softback Edition £19.99
Volume 3: vi + 123 pages, 308 ills.
ISBN 978-0-85420-156-3 Softback Edition £19.99
Volume 4: vi + 106 pages, 188 ills.
ISBN 978-0-85420-166-2 Softback Edition £19.99
Volume 5: vi + 45 + 93 ills.
ISBN 978-0-85420-176-1 Softback Edition £19.99
Volume 6: vi + 121 pages + 120 ills.
ISBN 978-0-85420-186-0 Softback Edition £19.99
Volume 7: ii + 216 pages, 610 ills.
ISBN 978-0-85420-196-9 Softback Edition £19.99
See also:
A REGISTER OF TITLES OF THE UNITS OF THE H.E.I.C. & INDIAN
ARMIES
1666 - 1947
Which can be found in our Recommended
Reading section.
VALOUR & GALLANTRY:
H.E.I.C & INDIAN ARMY VICTORIA CROSSES & GEORGE
CROSSES 1856 -1946
by Chris Kempton
Foreword by Field Marshal Sir John Chapple G.C.B., C.B.E.,
D.L.
This work, which is the first comprehensive
and detailed listing, contains a roll of the 162 H.E.I.C
& Indian Army Victoria Crosses and the 21 Indian Army
George Crosses, including Albert Medal and Empire Gallantry
Medal conversions.
The VC & GC rolls are in chronological order, grouped
together by campaign, or theatre, as appropriate. There
is an initial general description of the campaign for background
information followed by the entry for each recipient which
contains the citation as printed in the London Gazette,
biographical / career information and, where applicable
and available, further background information relating to
the action and citation.
The book also contains short histories of the evolution
of the VC, AM, EGM & GC and a listing of VC & GC
recipients by regiment or corps under the 1945 titles. Research
for the book has created a number of corrections to previously
accepted facts and in one case a location and unit revision
by the War Graves Commission. As the first fully comprehensive
and definitive source of reference on the subject the book
will be a must for historians and researchers as well as
anyone with an interest in the HIEC / Indian Army or the
VC/GC in general.
In addition it has an : Appendix with a roll of the 33 Indian
Army Albert Medal and Empire Gallantry Medal recipients
who did not exchange to the George Cross. Details of the
action of each recipient that gained them the decoration
as well biographical information where available. It is
believed that this is the first time such a list has been
produced.
There is also a second Appendix listing recipients by date
of action with London Gazette dates. A listing of VC recipients
who subsequently served in the Indian Army with biographical
information. The illustrations include portraits of a number
of recipients of the Victoria Cross. The coloured maps show
the locations of both where the Victoria Crosses and George
Crosses were won.
280 pages, 1 Colour and 70 Black & White illustrations,
11 Coloured Maps, 295 x 210mm.
ISBN 978-0-85420-276-8 Hardback Edition £45.00
ISBN 978-0-85420-281-2 Softback Edition £25.00
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Front Page
Indian Military History