The FReeper Foxhole Revisits Merrill's Marauders - March 25th, 2005

www.marauder.org ^

[Professional Engineer]

[Grzegorz 246]

[Grzegorz 246]

A large part of the British Army during WW2 were Indian and African units. Do you know exact numbers ?

[Samwise]

Way Cool!

[CarrotAndStick]

I have my doubts about native African units, but I do know that a lot of Indians fought in Africa, alongside the British. The total numbers of Indians involved in WW2 go into the hundred thousands, if not in the millions . Exact numbers aren't present with me. But Google® is your friend ;^)

[SAMWolf]

Just looking at all that area to cover makes my arms hurt. ;-)

[SAMWolf]

The "Liberal bomb" load? Isn't that Susan Sarandon and Al Franken strapped to those racks?

[SAMWolf]

There were over two and a half million Indian citizens in uniform during the war. The Fifth Indian Division, for example, fought in the Sudan against the Italians, and then in Libya against the Germans. From North Africa the Division was moved to Iraq to protect the oilfields.

After this relatively easy posting, the Division was moved to the Burma front, together with eight other Indian Divisions, and then occupied Malaya. It was then moved to Java to disarm the Japanese garrison there. The men from this Division won four Victoria Crosses. In addition, Indians served in the Royal Indian Navy and in the Indian Air Force which, in recognition of it's war contribution, was granted royal status in 1945.

The Fourth Indian Division also fought in North Africa, Syria, Palestine, Cyprus and then in Italy. Together with the 8th and 10th Division it participated in the taking of Monte Cassino, after which it was moved to Greece. Four men of the Fourth were awarded Victoria Crosses.

Over 36,000 Indian members of the armed forces were killed or went missing in action, and 64,354 were wounded during the war. Indian personnel received 4,000 awards for gallantry, and 31 VCs. The only VC winner from elsewhere in the Empire was Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu, of the Fiji Military Forces, who earned this highest of all commendations in June 1944, at Bougainville.

[CarrotAndStick]

Thanks for the information.

[Grzegorz 246]

Thanks. Once when I was reading something about Monte Cassino, I realized that many of those "Brits" were Indians or Sudanese, but I didn't know any details. I also think that many of French soldiers were in reality Moroccans.

What about Canadians or South Africans ? Were they officially a part of the British Army ?

[Grzegorz 246]

"But Google® is your friend ;^)"

I know, but I am lazy today. It's Friday.

[Grzegorz 246]

They aren't mine. I "stole" them from other sites.

They should buy some fire absorbers. It looks interesting, but wouldn't be very effective in the real fight.

[Valin]

Colonel Logan Weston
United States Army (Retired)
http://www.marauder.org/weston.htm

---

Colonel Logan Weston, U.S. Army (Retired), is a veteran of three major wars: World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Col. Weston was drafted into the Army in 1941. He worked his way up through the ranks to Staff-Sergeant before receiving a battle field commission to Second Lieutenant. Col. Weston's unwavering devotion to his country and to his faith have earned him a larger-than-life reputation and undying devotion from his men even to this day.
He is considered one of the most heavily decorated soldiers in American history. Among the awards Col. Weston has earned is the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts a Legion of Merit, Presidential Unit Citations, the Combat Infantryman Badge (3 awards), and the Parachute Jump Badge (3 awards). Col. Weston has received Commendations from the Governments of Australia, Nationalist China, India, Korea, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. Col. Weston has been honored by Senate and House Resolutions from the states of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. It has been recommended to the Department of Defense that Colonel Weston receive the Congressional Medal of Honor (No resolution to the recommendation has been reached at this time). Col. Weston was inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger "Hall of Fame" in it's inaugural year of 1992, he also has been installed in the "Soldiers / Sailors Memorial" in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, he has been honored by the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge Pennsylvania.
Col. Weston's 28 year long illustrious military career terminated in 1968. At this time he assumed the position of "Coordinator of Religious Life" at Texas A & M University. After 13 years at the university, he retired to volunteer in Christian Ministry and telephone prayer/counseling work, as well as doing occasional speaking engagements.
Col. Weston is the epitome of one who from a humble beginning answered his God's calling. He achieved excellence spiritually, academically and in military service. It is a rare man who can strike such a balance of serving his God and his Country with such harmony. He is a true American Hero.

[Valin]

WHAT A MESS! You know I bet someone could fix it up into something like....oh say a sewing room.

[shezza]

Thank you! He passed away about two years ago, bless him.

[Valin]

I LOVE Google. It makes me look like I'm really smart.

[alfa6]

WHAT A MESS!

You should have seen it last Friday afternoon when my son and daughter were almost knee deep in plaster, lath, ceiling tiles and old rock wool insulation!!!

We filled my son's 16' trailer with 4' sides almost all the way to the back, aye carumba :-)

Regards

alfa6 ;>}