Indian soldiers also served in North Africa, Italy and Greece, in particular the 4th Indian Division played a vital role at the Battle of El Alamein in October 1942, and at the Battle of Monte Cassino between January and May 1944. At the beginning of the war, in 19, there were Indian mule companies with the British Expeditionary Force in France. Over two and a half million men from the Indian subcontinent volunteered for service, producing the largest volunteer army in history. Of these groups nearly all fought in the conflict in Europe. Aside from 5 million from the British Isles, 1,440,500 came from the Indian subcontinent, 629,000 from Canada, 413,000 from Australia, 136,000 from South Africa, 128,500 from New Zealand and more than 134,000 from other colonies. British Empire and Dominions forcesĭuring the Second World War the Empire and Dominions raised a total of 8,586,000 men for military service. The British Empire fell into two distinct parts: the self-governing Dominions - Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, and those colonies that were wholly or partly governed from London, including the Indian subcontinent, which had its own ‘Viceroy’ or ruler, as well as the West Indies. In addition these countries also supplied raw materials and goods to Britain, helping in the manufacture of vehicles for the war effort. A look at the role of troops from the British Empire, Dominions and foreign nationals in the UK Armed Forces during the Second World War.įorces from across the British Commonwealth of Nations - then the British Empire and Dominions were involved in the European conflict of the Second World War, as well as serving on the Home Front working in munitions factories and as forestry workers.
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