The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II

Singapore 1942. This is the story of Captain Mohan Singh, 14 Punjab Regiment, the first commander of the Indian National Army (INA) supported by Japan to expel the British from India. Of the soldiers who found it a great attraction or an impossible dilemma. Of the great risk Singh took in breaking with the Japanese when he realised they were not sticking to their promises. Of Subhas Chandra Bose’s tryst with destiny when he was then called to take over the mantle. Of the thousands of INA men who died of sickness & starvation in Burma. Of those who fought bravely when they got a chance. Of how though the INA lost the battle, it won of the hearts of the people of India and hastened independence.

It is the story of Lieutenant MM Pillai’s daring escape from Singapore. Of Warrant Officer John Baptist Crasta, one of 17,000 Indian POWs sent to hard labour camps in the Pacific, of whom over 10,000 died. Of the war crimes trials held by the Australians for Japanese atrocities against these POWs where Subedar Chint Singh was a key witness. Finally, it is the story of wives waiting for 5 years with little news of their soldier husband.

How the INA was started 18 months before Bose reached and what happened to Indian soldiers when Mohan Singh disbanded the first INA, is a lesser known chapter of Indian and World War II history that deserves more telling. Hazarika’s narrative using their largely unpublished words & interviews with family members, is a gripping story of loyalty, of daring escapes and double crosses, and adversity in captivity. He appeals for more commemoration of these soldiers.