did Indians fight in both world wars for the british?

Question

i just read a story that in the battle for the Suez canal 25 thousand indians got sent in to battle first and got slaurterd so the enemy can be softened before the british soldiers went in. i am shocked i allways thought that these Indians were all economic immgrants. but they have just a much right to be here. there ancestors died for Britain.

Answer 1

I have to agree with 'Perseus' regards anti British propaganda. However I have to point out that besides naval battles outside Europe in WW 1 there was also Gallipoli in Turkey and the rest of the Ottoman Empire in Arabia where Gen. Allenby captured Jerusalem from the Turks on December 1917. If Rommel had got to Egypt in WW 11 one of his main objectives was the Suez Canal. Anyone who has served alongside Indian soldiers has always been full of praise for their bravery and tenacity.

Answer 2

Both World Wars, Boer War, Opium War and all the skirmishes. India was a British Colony.
The other colonies also fought for us.
Nepal was never a colony, but the Gurkha's fought for us up till a few years ago.

There is two sides to every story.
A Scots regiment went 'over the top' first, so people say we sacrificed them. But then the Blackwatch has the best record as shocktroops. There will have been instances of both using and abusing every regiment.
Though the ANZAC's will never believe this. Sometimes like the Somme and Gallipoli, unfair blame pales by comparison with the sacrifice.

Answer 3

yes they fought all over the world for the British. the battle for the Suez canal was a vital battle without the Indians the British would have lost that battle . maybe they would have lost the war too. but most british people are to ignorant to realise this.

Answer 4

Why of course they did. India was part of the british empire until 1948.In world war i there were no battles anywhere outside europe.In world war ii the germans or thier allies never ever threatened suez.Fact I've never heard of the battle for suez If you mean 1956 when nassar grabbed the canal.They're were no indians there,only brits,french and israelis.Doubt if too many people lost thier lives in that conflict.Sorry you've been reading anti-british propaganda.

Answer 5

Yes they did. India was part of the British Empire from back in the 17th century until its independence from Britain in 1947. Its citizens have been subjects to the British crown during that time period.

Answer 6

I read Nepal gave the UK all their gold during WW2 to help the British War Cause.

And Nepalese soliders are amongst the bravest, intelligent and loyalest in the world

However I'm not sure about India's contribution to both WW1 and WW2.

Answer 7

they certainly did help us bravely in both WW1 and 2 ,and also for all the people moaning about the Polish immigrants at the moment , we owe them for helping us defend our country at its most critical point in the Battle of Britain 1940 and people would do well to remember this instead of being xenophobic.
RIP all our Commonwealth comrades.

Answer 8

yes Indian troops did fight in both world wars the fr ought with pride for the empire even thought we treated them as second class cit zens

Answer 9

Yes
they fought for the British in all its wars

Answer 10

my grandad fought in Italy during the 2 world war ,and he all ways told us about the Indian solders he met , and how brave ,and cleaver they where,and to all the anti British propagandist's out there read your history ,you will find that British troops where lead bye Indian [corporals,captains,lieutenant's] so stop the bull **** please