The significant role of the Indian Army in the Gallipoli Campaign has often been overlooked. This well researched work tells the story of the Sikh infantrymen, and artillery gunners who fought there. The enormous casualties suffered by the 14th Ferozepore Sikhs during the Third Battle of Krithia in June 1915 bear testimony to their dedication and valour.
Even a century after, the raw courage and indomitable spirit of an Indian soldier in the face of all odds in the Great War has generally been well accepted across the globe, without any exceptions. An extensive exploration of the contribution of Indian troops along the Western Front, while has produced an intensive research commentary, the contribution of the Indian troops in military operations on the peninsula of Gallipoli, with an exception of a few, has however, not been adequately researched. Though the sacrifices and bravery of the Indian troops, in spite of not being given due recognition and acknowledgement, has never been subjected to scrutiny, the finer aspects have definitely eluded the memory.
Due to limited research, the dimensions related to the mobilization of the Indian troops for Gallipoli, their trials and tribulations, while on the peninsula and the administrative facets of the campaign from an Indian perspective have never come to the fore. In the absence of research, the casualties of Indian troops, both fatal and non-fatal have continued to be a subject of an intense debate and immense speculation. Addressing all these domains of the campaign from an absolutely Indian perspective, the book is a unique and singular attempt to honour the memory of sixteen thousand Indian troops who participated in the Gallipoli Campaign of the First World War from April 1915 to December 1915.
• List of Figures 9
• List of Maps 14
• List of Tables 15
• Abbreviations 19
• Foreword 21
• Acknowledgements 23
• Sikh Prayer for Supplication 27
• Where Soldiers Rest 28
• Rest in Peace 29
• Introduction 31
• 1. The activation: dardanelles Campaign 41 dilemma of dardanelles 46 decision of dardanelles 48 defence of dardanelles 57 drive for dardanelles 64 demand from India 68
• 2. The arrangements: Indian army on the eve of the Great War 85 Construct of Martial races 91 System of recruitment 97 Incentivising recruitment and retention 102 Indian Infantry on the eve of the Great War 109 Indian artillery in 1914 120 Imperial Service Troops 129 Burma Military Police 135 Supply and Transport Corps 137 Indian Muslims and Gallipoli 141 Canal defences of Suez 145
• 3. The affirmation: Indian Troops at Gallipoli 153 Indian Troops on Gallipoli 158 The Punjabis during those Fifteen days 186 Battles for Krithia 191 regaining the Momentum 226 With anzaCs for the august offensive 235 The assault for Sari Bair 245 landings at anzac Cove 250 assault Plan of the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade 255 The assault 257 The Stalemate 278 The Swirl, Snow and Squall 285 evacuation and ending 291
• 4. The administration: logistics of Indian Troops at Gallipoli 303 Weapons and ammunition 305 uniforms and Clothing 318 rations and Water 323 Supplies and Transport 337 Medical and Casualty evacuation 352 Postal arrangements 366 The Indian labour Corps 370 Pay and allowances 378 Practise of religion 383 reporting of Casualties 386 The aftermath 396
• 5. The acknowledgment: lest we Forget 402 Sepoy udey Singh, 14th Sikhs 405 Sepoy nanak Singh, 69th Punjabis 411 Subadar Gurmukh Singh, Burma Military Police 418 With the anzaCs 426 reinforcements: Sustaining the Campaign 438 unknown and under the Sea: The Tragedy of SS Ramazan 448 Casualty analytics 458 units and Sub units 462 reporting Period of Casualties 465 reporting and receiving agencies 466 Involvement of depots 466 Classification of Casualties 469 Casualties amongst Indian officers 472 Total Indian Casualties 473 determining the details: The Summation 475 honours and awards 487
• Conclusion 505
• Appendices
• 1. Composition of the Burma Military Police over the Years 513
• 2. Casualties of Indian Troops due to Sinking of SS Ramajan 515
• 3. Casualties of Indian officers on Gallipoli 561
• 4. honours and awards for Indian Troops on Gallipoli 567
• Bibliography 585
• Index 601
