AbstractsHistory

This dissertation will observe the capabilities and experience of the Indian Army in the Second World War, by examining the 10th Indian Division’s campaign in Italy. The focus will be on three themes of the division’s deployment to Italy; its training, manpower and the experience of the Indian soldier. Whilst these themes are part of the wider historiography of the Indian Army; there has been no significant study of these topics in relation to Italy, which this work seeks to redress. Observing the division’s training and manpower will indicate its capabilities during the Second World War. How did the Indian Army maintain an expeditionary force far from its home base, given the structural weaknesses in its recruitment and organisation? Did the Indian Army’s focus on the war in Japan, and jungle warfare, have a detrimental effect on the training of troops deployed to Italy? The reforms that the Indian Army, made to its training and organisation were critical in overcoming the difficulties that arose from campaigning in Italy. Studying the experience of the Indian soldier through morale and censor reports will demonstrate their attitude towards military service, and how this shaped their attitudes on the post-war future of India.