Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. Chris Mann's contribution considers the relationship of 4th Indian Division with its parent formation, British Eighth Army, during the fighting of 1943. The book examines the effect of this uneasy position upon the role of 4th Indian Division in the Battle of Wadi Akarit and how it influenced the relationship of its charismatic commander with his peers and superiors. The Indian Army controversially acted as a post-war occupation force in both French Indo-China and the Dutch East Indies at the end of the Second World War. Patrick Rose examines the distinct Indian Army command culture of the period preceding the war. The Gurkha Regiments occupied a unique place within the British Indian Army, and their peculiar status resulted in some of them becoming part of the British Army upon partition of Indian Armed forces in 1947.