Archive · 25 Jul 2025
British Used Indian Army to Fight Colonial Wars After WWII
After World War II ended in 1945, most people thought the fighting stopped, but it didn't.
The British, who had an army made up of many Indian soldiers, used them to fight in places like Vietnam and Indonesia.
This was to help France and Holland regain control of their colonies.
But the local people in these countries didn't want the Europeans back.
The book "1945 The Reckoning" looks at this complicated time and highlights different views among Indian people at the time.
It explains that Britain was strong against Germany but wasn't always fair in its colonies after the war.
After WWII ended, the British used the Indian army to fight in Southeast Asia to reassert colonial rule.
Japan's 1942 occupation of Southeast Asia led to celebrations from locals who had grown tired of European empires.
The British employed the Indian army to regain control of colonies for France and Holland, using Japanese POWs.
The book "1945 The Reckoning" explores differing views of Indian nationalists such as Subhas Chandra Bose and Colonel KS Thimmaya.
Britain's actions post-war are viewed as short-sighted, in contrast to the country's stance against Nazi Germany.
- Who
- British, Indian army, local resistance movements, Subhas Chandra Bose, Colonel KS Thimmaya.
- What
- The British used the Indian army to fight in Southeast Asia after WWII to reassert colonial rule, and the book "1945 The Reckoning" explores the differing views of Indian nationalists.
- When
- After World War II ended in August 1945.
- Where
- Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
- Why
- To help France and Holland regain control of their colonies after WWII
Differing Indian Nationalist Views
British actions post-war
Approach to Indian Independence
Differing Indian Nationalist Views
Subhas Chandra Bose believed Britain would only leave India through force, aligning with Fascist Japan.
British actions post-war
Colonel KS "Timmy" Thimmaya believed India should support Britain to defeat Fascism and then claim freedom.
- Book Title
- "1945 The Reckoning – War, Empire and the Struggle for a New World"
- Author
- Phil Craig
- Primary Focus
- Post-WWII conflicts and colonialism
- Key Themes
- End of Empire, differing views among Indian nationalists.
- Key Individuals
- Subhas Chandra Bose, Colonel KS "Timmy" Thimmaya