On the declaration of War The Indian Government offered the services of two infantry divisions and a cavalry division for service in Europe.
Under the command of General Sir James Willcocks the Indian Expeditionary Force A consisting of the 3rd (Lahore) and 7th (Meerut) Divisions deployed to Europe to form the Indian Corps.
Each Brigade consisted of one Battalion of British Troops and Three Battalions India Troops. Battalion and Company Commanders were British, Platoon Commanders Indian Officers. The Divisional Artillery consisted of British Royal Artillery units.
The units were recruited on the basis of differing religions, tribes and castes. Sikhs, Gurkhas, Punjabi's, Dogras, Garhwals, Pathans, Jets formed Battalions and supporting units.
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| Punjabis |
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| Gurkhas |
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| Sikhs |
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| 15th Sikhs Regiment arrive in Marseilles |
The first action for the Indians was the Battle of La Bassee in October 1914. The Indian Army would win more Battle Honours on the Western Front over the course of the war.
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| 129th Baluchis on the outskirts of Wytschaete, Belgium in 1914 |
1914 France and Flanders 1918
La Bassee 1914 Messines 1914 Armentieres 1914
Gheluvelt Givenchy 1914
Ypres 1914-15 Festubert 1914-15
Neuve Chapelle St Julien Aubers Loos
Somme 1916
Bazentin Delville Wood Flers Courcelett Morval
Cambrai 1917
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| Ypres - Menin Gate |
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| Ypres Menin Gate - Indian Army Panel |
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| Ypres Menin Gate - Indian Army Panel |
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| Ypres Indian Memorial |
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| Ypres Gurkha Memorial |