Merrill’s Marauders Campaign in India Burma theater during WWII

 

It's almost 11 years since I wrote a blog. I was asked by many well wishers and friends to continue writing, sharing items from my collection. But, I have been lazy (also occupied in personal and professional life). Finally, I decided may be it's time I should break the ice. The article below has been published in Military Postal History Society (MPHS) July'25 edition (Vol 63 No 3). My friend Apratim has also generously published it on his website. I would like to encourage readers to reach out to me with your valuable feedback on it (story, philatelic and ephemera items shown etc.). Also, please browse through Apratim's great website to dive on various aspect of India's freedom struggle and pre-independence history through philately.

 

I must say it was by chance that I stumbled upon Merrill's Maraduers story. The more I researched the more I got addicted to this special operation. I browsed many websites, US military history archives and read various books on them to understand deeply enspiring, motivating and daring campaign which has almost been forgotten in the pages of the history. I hope you all will like it. Let's not waste any more time. So, here it is ...

 

Behind Japanese Lines: The American Jungle Force (Merrill's Marauders)

 

This article is about Special Operations conducted by Allied forces (primarily United States, Chinese and British) against Japanese forces during second world war in India-Burma theater. This operation was launched almost at the same time when Chindits started their ‘Operation Thursday’, and it was complimentary allied effort to recapture Burma.

 

American strategy in the China Burma India (CBI) theater was built around keeping China in the war. American war supplies kept the Chinese fighting. Since the Japanese controlled the Burma Road and the Chinese coast, the USAAF established an aerial resupply route from Assam, India to Kunming, China through Himalayan Mountain passes nicknamed “The Hump.” But it was hazardous and costly. Adverse weather and collisions with cloud-cloaked mountains caused almost daily aircraft losses. The U.S. needed an alternate solution. The obvious answer was to build another road that circumvented the Japanese-controlled Burma Road.

 

In December 1942, U.S. Army engineers began construction on the Ledo Road from upper Assam in India. It would cut across north Burma to Lashio, south of Myitkyina, to meet the original Burma Road. It was a daring effort. The plans for the Ledo Road included the laying of pipelines, designed to relieve the road and air traffic of carrying fuel from Assam to China. But a ground campaign was necessary to secure the route of the Ledo Road through north Burma. That’s where Merrill’s Marauders special operations came into the picture.

 

The end goal of this operation was Myitkyina’s capture. General Stillwell’s idea was by securing its airfield Japanese fighter threat to the “Hump” resupply line would be eliminated and the USAAF pilots could fly a shorter and safer route over lower terrain into China. The new lower altitude air route would reduce gasoline consumption and permit heavier cargos. The city of Myitkyina could serve as a major supply depot along the Ledo Road route.

 

Fig 1: Merrill’s Marauders area of operations Feb-May 1944 and Ledo Road construction on the same route.

 

About the Merrill’s Marauders or Galahad

At the Quebec Conference in 1943, Allied leaders decided to form a U.S. long range penetration (LRP) unit that would attack Japanese troops in Burma. The new U.S. force was directly inspired by, and partially modeled on British General Orde Wingate's Chindits Long Range Penetration Force. A call for volunteers attracted around 3,000 men. They came from Caribbean Defence Command (already jungle trained), South Pacific Command and Southwest Pacific Command (all already battle tested jungle troops. The unit was officially designated as 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) with the code name Galahad.

 

General Stilwell was worried that 5307^th Unit might also be placed under South East Asia Command (SEAC) under British influence as it was LRP unit similar to Chindits meant for special operations in Burma against Japanese. But he was determined to keep exclusive U.S. combat troops available in the theater out of British command. He was able to persuade Admiral Lord Mountbatten, the supreme Allied commander of the South East Asia Command (SEAC), that they should serve under the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) which was controlled by him.

 

 

Fig 2: Brigadier General Frank Merrill

 

Stilwell appointed Brigadier General Frank Merrill (Fig 2 & Fig 3) to command the new LRP unit. Merrill had served earlier as Military Attaché in Tokyo where he had studied the Japanese language in 1938. After that he joined General Douglas MacArthur's staff in the Philippines in 1941 as a military intelligence officer. Merrill was on a mission in Rangoon, Burma, at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack and remained in Burma after the Japanese invasion. So, he was considered just the right man for the job which needed combination of Intelligence, Reconnaissance and Combat capabilities in Jungle terrain of Burma with familiarity of the Japanese.

 

 

Fig 3: A scarce cover sent by Brig. General Merrill with his signature at bottom left corner to a Boy Scout troop on Sep 4, 1944, Washington DC just one month after Merrill’s Marauders were disbanded in August 1944.

 

Initially, the plan was to get troops trained under Wingate command along with Chindits but later the 5307th (Fig 4) trained at Deogarh, India from the end of November 1943 to the end of January 1944. All officers and men received instruction in scouting and patrolling, stream crossings, weapons, navigation, demolitions, camouflage, small-unit attacks on entrenchments, evacuation of wounded personnel, and the then-novel technique of supply by airdrop. Special emphasis was placed on "jungle lane" marksmanship at pop-up and moving targets using small arms. In December the 5307th conducted a weeklong maneuver in coordination with Chindit forces.

 

 

Fig 4: Soldier's Free Mail from A.P.O. 884 Agra, India by Bronze Star awardee Emil H. Eichhorn of H.B. Prov. Unit 5307 (Merrill's Marauders) to New York with Passed by US Army Examiner Censor marking. The cover is dated Dec 14^th, 1943, when they were under training at Deogarh coordinating with Chindits and just before Merrill’s Marauders started their expedition to Burma in February 1944. Emil would become part of 2^nd Battalion (Blue Combat Team).

 

Several American war correspondents had come to Deogarh to hear about the unit and its training; the reporters sat around trying to think of an appealing nickname for the 5307th that would capture the interest of the American public. Time correspondent James R. Shepley came up with "Merrill's Marauders" after viewing the 5307th's performance on the firing ranges and that name stuck. Afterwards,the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), which was a LRP special operations jungle warfare unit became Merrill’s Marauders which saw action between Feb-Aug 1944 during the Burma Campaign of WWII.

 

 

Communications

Communications was most crucial element in this whole campaign. Since the battalions were to be always on the move and most of the time behind enemy lines, it was necessary to carry long and short-range radios providing constant communication with headquarter for orders, supply arrangements, and air cooperation, and within the unit itself for control of the columns. While they were equipped with long-range PRC-I (for communication to the base station at Dinjan), SCR 284 radios (for 20-mile range) and later with SCR 300 (Walkie-Talkie), operating and maintaining them in the terrain was found to be very challenging. This is where 96^th Signal Battalion personnel, few assigned with Merrill’s Marauders battalions to manage communication systems and remaining to support them from Dinjan and various other locations came handy.

 

Fig 5: Letter sent from 96^th Signal Battalion with APO 487 (Dinjan, India) with passed by US Army Examiner censor marking on Aug 21, 1944 (just after battle of Myitkyina was over) to USA.

 

The 96th Signal Battalion (Fig 5) was called upon to construct, maintain and operate an intricate signal communications system in the jungle of Burma. It involved managing around-the-clock telephone, teletype, radio, and messenger service connecting and coordinating HQ, Chinese Y-Forces, Merrill’s Marauder’s units and British Fourteenth Army. The entire battalion saw prolonged service with combat units serving side by side with Merrill's Marauders along the Ledo Road from Ledo to Myitkyina, under intense enemy shell fire overcoming various technical challenges in radio communication.

 

 

Campaign

On the advice of Wingate, the unit was divided into two self-contained combat teams per battalion. In February 1944, in an offensive designed to disrupt Japanese offensive operations, three battalions in six combat teams (coded Red, White, Blue, Khaki, Green, and Orange) marched into Burma. On 24 February, the force began a 1,000-mile march over the Patkai range and into the Burmese jungle behind Japanese lines. A total of 2,750 Marauders entered Burma; the remaining 247 men remained in India as headquarters and support personnel. This was different than Chindits operation where they were airdropped behind enemy lines in Burma.

 

Since it was highly mobile force operating behind the enemy's forward defensive positions, there was need to find a solution of regular supply to the force. It was not feasible to maintain regular land supply lines given Ledo Road was still work in progress and then it would have greatly reduced tactical mobility and would have made secrecy impossible, contradicting the express purposes of the operation. Air dropping of food and munitions, though still in an experimental stage of development, had been satisfactory for Chindit's 1^st expedition of 1943 and was adopted for the LRP missions of the Marauders.

 

Fig 6: Letter sent from APO 487 Dinjan, India by 2nd Troop Carrier Squadron to APO 81 Camp San Luis Obispo, California dated Nov 21, 1943, with US Army Examiner Censor marking.

 

At the beginning of the Marauders' operation the 2nd Troop Carrier Squadron (Fig 6) and later the 1st Troop Carrier Squadron (Fig 7) carried the supplies from the Dinjan base to forward drop areas. They dropped by parachute engineering equipment, ammunition, medical supplies, food, clothing and grain flying in all kinds of weather.

 

Fig 7: Letter sent from APO 467 Sookerating, Assam, India by 1st Troop Carrier Squadron using concession airmail to USA dated Dec 13, 1944.

 

While in Burma, the Marauders were usually outnumbered by Japanese troops from the 18th Division, but always inflicted many more casualties than they suffered. Led by Kachin scouts, and using mobility and surprise, the Marauders harassed supply and communication lines, shot up patrols, and assaulted Japanese rear areas. The Japanese were continually surprised by the heavy, accurate volume of fire they received when attacking Marauder positions. In March they severed Japanese supply lines in the Hukawng Valley.

 

In April, the Marauders were ordered by Stilwell to take up a blocking position at Nhpum Ga and hold it against Japanese attacks, a conventional defensive action for which the unit had not been equipped. At times surrounded, the Marauders coordinated their own battalions in mutual support to break the siege after a series of fierce assaults by Japanese forces. At Nhpum Ga, the Marauders killed 400 Japanese soldiers, while suffering 57 killed in action, 302 wounded, and 379 incapacitated due to illness and exhaustion. A concurrent outbreak of amoebic dysentery further reduced their effective strength.

 

Fig 8 (Rare item): Letter sent by Lt. William Lepore's (1 Bn, White Combat Team) mother from Everett, MA, US to him in India dated May 8, 1944. Initially addressed to APO 884 (Agra which was serving the 5307^th before they were dispatched to Burma), redirected to APO 883 (Malir, Karachi) where no record was found and then finally to APO 886 (Karachi) where it was checked in 181st General Hospital also. There was no record of him found anywhere. Finally, it was found that he had died in China (June 6, 1944). Perhaps, he got injured during the campaign and was airlifted to China along with injured Chinese X-forces. He was awarded Silver Medal.

 

On May 17, 1944, after a grueling 100-kilometre march over the 6,600 ft Kumon Mountain range to Myitkyina, approximately 1,300 remaining Marauders, along with elements of the 42nd and 150th Chinese Infantry Regiments of the X Force, attacked the unsuspecting Japanese at the Myitkyina airfield. The airfield assault on May 17, 1944 was a complete success; however, the town of Myitkyina could not immediately be taken with the forces on hand.

 

Fig 9: Letter sent by Pvt. Julius Michini who was part of 236^th Engr. Battalion on July 27^th, 1944, from one the hospitals established along the Ledo Road after he was wounded in the battle and airlifted. He writes about losing most of his personal belongings and a good friend in the battle.

 

Stillwell called upon the 209^th and 236^th Engineer Combat Battalion (Fig 9) to the front lines (who were already working on the Ledo Road behind Marauders). Men who had been used to driving trucks and operating heavy equipment were suddenly picking up a rifle and heading into battle. They fought along with reinforced poorly trained Chinese army and Marauders, bearing the brunt of the Japanese forces, defending against infantry attacks as well as artillery and mortar fire. There were 56 killed and 142 wounded persons from the 236^th battalion alone. The battalion (and 209^th) received Presidential Unit Citation for their valiant effort in the battle.

 

Weakened by hunger, the 5307th continued fighting through the height of the monsoon season, worsening the situation; it also transpired that the area around Myitkyina had the largest reported incidence of scrub typhus, which some Marauders contracted after sleeping on infected areas of untreated ground, earth or grass. Racked with bloody dysentery and fevers, sleeping in the mud, Marauders alternately assaulted, then defended in a seesaw series of brutal conventional infantry engagements with Japanese forces. The town finally fell to the Allies on August 3, 1944 due to combined efforts of various units involved.

 

In their final mission against the Japanese base at Myitkyina, the Marauders suffered 272 killed, 955 wounded, and 980 evacuated for illness and disease; some men later died from cerebral malaria, amoebic dysentery, and/or scrub typhus. By the time the town of Myitkyina was taken, only about 200 surviving members of the original Marauders were present. On August 10, 1944, a week after the town's fall to U.S. and Chinese forces, the 5307th was disbanded with a final total of only 130 combat-effective officers and men (out of the original 2,997).

 

Fig 10: Letter sent from APO 218 Myitkyina, Burma by 151st Medical Battalion using concession airmail to USA dated Mar 31, 1945.

 

Marauders suffered overall 424 battle related casualties and 1970 disease related casualties. They were evacuated by 71^st Liasion Squadron from the combat zone after they had been treated by medical corpsmen or surgical teams. Medical battalion detachments marched in the columns, established aid stations during battle, collected and gave emergency treatment to casualties, and cared for the sick. Air clearing stations (ACS) were essential links in the chain of evacuation. The ACS could be opened or closed on short notice, or it could become the nucleus of a major evacuation center. The 151st Medical Battalion (Fig 10), which became one of the main ground evacuation units manned the roadside hospitals or in the rear field of the battle. After initial treatment, most of them were transported to the 20^th General Hospital, the 14^th Evacuation Hospital (Fig 11), or the 111^th Station Hospital in the Ledo area.

 

Fig 11: Vmail sent by a female nurse working for 14^th Evacuation Hospital dated June 11, 1943 using APO 689 (Ledo, India). Located at Ledo Road, Mile 19.

 

Since the hospitals were overwhelmed with high number of patients as the battle of Myitkyina extended, there was need to increase the beds. During June 1944, the 69th General Hospital and the 28th, 32d, 34th, 35th, 50th, and 53d Portable Surgical Hospitals arrived in Ledo. The 69th general hospital (Fig 12) was established at Margherita, several miles from the 20th General Hospital, and the portable surgical hospitals were flown over the “Hump" to support the Y-Force operating in the Salween River area.

 

Fig 12: Vmail sent by a sergeant from 69^th General Hospital on Nov 16, 1944 which was located at Margherita (near Ledo).

 

In slightly more than five months of combat behind Japanese lines in Burma, the Marauders, who supported the X Force, advanced roughly thousands of miles through some of the harshest jungle terrain in the world, fought in five major engagements (Walawbum, Shaduzup, Inkangahtawng, Nhpum Ga, and Myitkyina) and engaged in combat with the Japanese Army on thirty-two occasions. Battling Japanese soldiers, hunger, and disease, they had traversed more jungle on their long-range patrols than any other U.S. Army unit of the war.

 

OSS and Kachins

While the main unit of the campaign was the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), the article won’t be complete if we don’t mention the contribution of Detachment 101 of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and Kachins. It was the only ground organization involved in all parts of the campaign. During the long fight, Detachment 101 came of age to become an indispensable asset for the Allied effort. The unit evolved from an intelligence collection and sabotage force to an effective guerrilla element.

 

Fig 13: Letter sent by Rodney B. Yould, SP1C (P) USNR, APO 629 Chabua, HQ, Detachment 101 to USA; dated May 13, 1944 during the Marauder’s campaign.

 

Detachment 101 (Fig 13) was the first overseas unit created under the Special Operations (SO) branch of the Coordinator of Information (COI), the predecessor to the OSS. Its agents reported on enemy order of battle, the political situation in Burma, and the weather. The advantage with Det. 101 was their agents had infiltrated Burma in 1942 itself. So not only the agents became familiar with the region, but also, they recruited indigenous agents, the Kachins.

 

The Kachins were fierce warriors, and experts in guerrilla hit-and-run tactics and jungle craft. They were natural hunters. Best of all, they were pro-Allied and liked Americans. Every time they got a chance to knock off a [Japanese] patrol they did it because it was a psychological play. The Kachins sped up the Marauder advance by providing so much intelligence on Japanese troop movements that it reduced the need to send out advance reconnaissance patrols. Each of the three Marauder battalions had two dedicated Kachin guides. They are credited with saving two-thirds of Merrill’s forces during the siege of Nphum Ga.They led the Marauders unseen to the Myitkyina Airfield on May 16, 1944.

 

Fig 14: Front and last page from the vintage cartoon story called “The Secret Warriors: OSS in Burma” published by True Comics in 1946 showcasing assistance and exploits of OSS Detachment 101 and Kachins during Merrill’s Marauders Burma Campaign.

 

Detachment 101 was the only American or British ground force that participated in the Myitkyina Campaign to remain intact afterwards. The Marauders and the Chindits had been rendered ineffective, mostly by disease. The remaining Marauders still on their feet became the cadre of the 475th Infantry Regiment, one of two in the 5332nd Brigade (Provisional), known as the MARS Task Force. The Chindits never returned to the field and were disbanded in February 1945. The war was over for them, but not for Detachment 101.

 

The OSS guerrilla units continued to intercept Japanese elements fleeing south, preventing them from regrouping, refitting, and being able to stand against the Allied drive after the monsoon stopped. In August 1944, the Detachment added several hundred more Japanese killed to their accomplishments. The reality was that the OSS guerrillas were the only Allied element maintaining contact with the Japanese south of Myitkyina until October 15, 1944, when NCAC resumed its offensive. The OSS had proved itself to be an extremely capable “wild card” maneuver force.

 

By the time of its deactivation on July 12, 1945, Detachment 101 had scored impressive results. According to official statistics, with a loss of some 22 Americans, Detachment 101 killed 5,428 Japanese and rescued 574 Allied personnel.

 

Fig 15: Merrill's Marauders Bronze Medal Collector's edition issued by US Mint

 

The men of Merrill's Marauders enjoyed the rare distinction of having each soldier awarded the Bronze Star. Their campaign was hailed as one of the most successful Guerrilla offensives in most harsh condition against the Japanese. Warner Bros. decided to make a war film “Objective, Burma!” starring Errol Flynn (Fig 16), which was loosely based on the six-month raid by Merrill’s Marauders in the Burma campaign in 1945 itself immediately after the raid.

 

Fig 16: “Objective Burma” an American war movie original lobby card of 1945 showing actor Errol Flynn inspecting troops.

 

The movie also contains a large amount of actual combat footage filmed by U.S. Army Signal Corps cameramen in the China-Burma-India theatre as well as New Guinea. It was the studio's sixth most popular film of the year and one of the most popular movies of 1945 in France.

 

There was also the controversy because it was said that movie was inspired by a book about an attempted British invasion of Burma called Merrill's Marauders and it was decided to change the troops from being British to American. However, Merrill's Marauders was an American unit. The movie was withdrawn from release in the United Kingdom after it infuriated the British public. Prime Minister Winston Churchill protested the Americanization of the huge and almost entirely British, Indian and Commonwealth conflict ('1 million men'). It got a second release in the United Kingdom in 1952, when it was shown with an accompanying apology. The movie was also banned in Singapore although it was seen in Burma and India.

 

It was clear that each allied country had their pride in special operations conducted by Chindits and Marauders. Together, not only they stopped Japanese advances to India but also laid ground for Japanese defeat in South East Asia by reclaiming Burma.

 

References:

[1]             Merrill’s Marauders February – May 1944, Center of Military History United States Army Washington, D.C., 1990 (https://history.army.mil/books/wwii/marauders/marauders-fw.htm)

[2]             A Special Forces Model OSS Detachment 101 in the Mytkyina Campaign (https://arsof-history.org/articles/v4n1_myitkyina_part_1_page_1.html#fall)

  

WW2 German Leaflet - Khushi Ka Paigam

After a long long time, I managed to get time to write on blog again. I just hope to find time between my busy personal and professional life to pursue my blogging.

It's a while since I shared any WW2 propaganda leaflet. So today's topic will be one of rare German WW2 propaganda leaflet against allies (Indian forces). This leaflet is variant of what I shared some time back (Subhas Chandra Bose).

This is one of German leaflet numbered 131/8 44 depicting Netaji (leader) Subhas Chandra Bose in front. It bears an autographed photograph of Bose in Indian National Army uniform. The front side of leaflet is exactly same as what was shown in previous leaflet that I had shared (Subhas Chandra Bose).

Though the back side of leaflet is a bit different the content of leaflet is same. It's just that this leaflet has propaganda only in Hindi while earlier one used Roman script and Urdu.

The back of the leaflet reads in Hindi:

Good News!

Most of you may be familiar with the face shown. If not, then listen. The photo belongs to Subhas Chandra Bose who is known as the Hind (National) leader, and is famous by his name all over the world. This man is ever ready to lay down his life for his country and for you. And now he is fighting for freedom of India.

Along with Hind (National) Leader,

Japanese and German government has promised that Indian prisoners of war will be treated in friendly manner. They will not be subjected to any punishment or torture. At this moment, thousands of Indian prisoners of war are spending their life comfortably in camps. They have been in regular touch with their family by post.

British propaganda

that Germans don't imprison but kill is absolutely rubbish and false.

Of course the propaganda was meant to persuade Indians part of British (allied) forces to switch side and lay down their arms to Germans/Japanese. The same people were later recruited in Indian National Army to fight against British (allied) forces in South East Asia.

Words that express friendship - WW2 Anti-Japanese Poster

It's very long time after which I am posting some article. Life has been busy-busy ;-) I had a pleasant trip back home (India) and just returned refreshed (new items bought over the trip)!

Below is one rare WW2 Anti-Japanese poster issued by National War Front in India. The poster is in Gujarati language.

The English translation of text is as follows:

First line : Mitratabharya bol mean "Words that express friendship" 
Second line : "Dusht Karmo" mean "Evil deeds" 

Last line : "Japanio saame rashtriya yudh morcho ubho karo" means "(Lets)Start a national war campaign against the Japanese"

It basically warns Indian public of what Japanese speak versus do. A very interesting and colorful poster. It also has a numbering S.53 at right bottom. I am not sure what that coding means. The poster is also of unusually large size measuring 19.5 x 29 inch.

I am sure you will like the poster. Let me know if anyone has any more information on background of this poster.

For India's Defence Services - WW2 Label

Today's post is on three different WW2 victory label issued during 1939-45. They were issued in denomination of 1 anna. All the labels had text "For India's Defence Services" in English. They were issued in Red, Green and Blue color.

Shown above is red color mint label (block of 4) which has small V in blue color on top of Indian map. The label also had text in Hindi. The back side of label has a blue colored seal with text in Hindi translated as "Central India War Fund", Thanks!

The one shown above is used example of red label where they were commonly used in judicial papers along with revenue stamps. This one is used with Maihar state stamp. The back side of paper also has small V seal/postmark in blue color.

The Green colored variety is almost same as Red colored one. The only difference being it has text in Urdu than in Hindi. It doesn't have any V sign on Indian map.

The last one in this series is blue colored label with red colored V symbol on it. The one I have is an used example with Dhar state revenue stamp on judicial paper.

The Mhow Mercury - WW2 STC (B) India Publication

It’s long since I shared any WW2 publication. Frankly speaking, it is more difficult to gather any information on literature items specially if they were local to some unit in some country. Today’s item is one of such thing. It’s called “Mhow Mercury” a WW2 paper covering the social activities of the S.T.C. (Signal Training Center), Mhow, India. Before we even hit upon Mhow, let’s dive into history of Signals!

~~~~~~~~~~~~Royal Signals~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all started with formation of Royal Signals (India) or Corp of Signals (now known as Indian Army Corp of Signals)on the 15 February 1911 as a separate entity under Lt Col S H Powell in India. Lt Col SH Powell,Royal Engineers, was the founder and first head of the Indian Signal Service which later became the Indian Signal Corps.Till then, the Sappers part of the Indian Army Corps of Engineers established in 1777, where in charge of passing battlefield messages. The Corp of Signals celebrated its centenary in 2011.

Corps of Signals (India) was itself part of Royal Corp of Signals just like all the similar establishment of British Commonwealth. Until World War 1, the Royal Engineer Signal Service provided communications. During that time the Dispatch Rider (DR) came into prominence and wireless 'sets' were introduced into service. Wireless communications were provided in France and Flanders and also in the campaigns in Salonika, Palestine and Mesopotamia.

It was not until 1918, when the first official agreement to form a separate Signal Corps was made, but due to various policy delays the formation of the 'Corps' was delayed until 1920. A Royal Warrant was signed by the Secretary of State for War, the Right Honourable Winston S Churchill, who gave the sovereign's approval for the formation on the 28th June 1920 of a 'Corps of Signals'. Six weeks later His Majesty the King conferred the title 'Royal Corps of Signals'. During the 1920s and 1930s the Corps increased its strength and had personnel serving in overseas stations such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ceylon, Egypt, Jamaica and many other 'out - posts of the Empire'. The largest portion of the Corps was overseas and one third was concentrated in India.

Throughout World War 2 members of the Corps served in every theatre of war and at the end it had a serving strength of 8,518 officers and 142,472 soldiers. During the war 4,362 members of Royal Signals gave their lives.

/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ Mhow Training Center /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\

\/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/

As part of Corps of Signals establishment, two Training Centers were created in India: one in Jabalpur and the second in Bangalore. On partition, the assets of the Centre at Bangalore were transferred to Pakistan. We will focus upon the Jabalpur and surrounding training centers.

Mhow (cantonment) town was founded in 1818 by John Malcolm as a result of the Treaty of Mandsaur between the British and the Holkars who ruled Indore. John Malcolm's forces had defeated the Holkars at the Battle of Mahidpur in 1818. It was after this battle that the capital of the Holkars shifted from the town of Maheshwar on the banks of the Narmada to Indore.

Mhow gained in military status early in the 20th century as part of the reforms brought about by General Kitchener. With his wide experience of warfare in Egypt, the Sudan and Africa, he saw that the existing broad spread of military units over the country might usefully serve local troubles but had no merit for military action against an invader. He rightly foresaw that there were potential enemies in the north, Russia amongst them, who might take advantage of the situation if improvements were not made. He therefore set about grouping fighting units into Brigades and Divisions. Mhow became a Divisional Headquarters and formation training became part of the routine of life. Mhow was the headquarters of the 5th (Mhow) Division of the Southern Command during the British Raj.

There is total lack of unanimity on how Mhow got its name. There are many theories about this, but there is no confirmation about which theory is true.

Many people believe that MHOW stands for Military Headquarters Of War. There is no proof for this as it is said that the village near Mhow has been called Mhow Gaon since time immemorial. Thus the Cantonment which came up in 1818 came to be known as Mhow Cantt.

The Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) tree which grows in profusion in the forests around Mhow has also been mentioned as a possible source for the name of this town.

It was a town of modest size in open undulating country with the advantage of an altitude of 1824 feet. It therefore provided a climate that was never oppressive. The countryside was open, neither forested nor lacking trees. All in all it was a good choice for training establishments.

It led to creation of The British Signal Training Centre, STC(B) for short which undertook the revision training of soldier tradesmen after their long sea voyage from England and also ran courses for new specialties or upgrading. The Officer Cadet Wing, which was part of it, received its input from Officer Cadet Training Centres in England as well as those at Dehra Dun, Bangalore and Mhow itself in India. These had given basic officer training for all future officers.

The Cadets then moved on to specialist training appropriate to the branch of the Army that they intended to join. It was a great advantage for both nations that the British and Indian components of our courses should meet and make friends with each other during the four month duration of their Signals training.

From 1933-40, Indian commissioned officers were trained at the Signal Training Centre (STC) Jabalpur and Army Signal School, Poona. Besides this, specialist training was imparted at the Telecommunications School, Agra and Communication Security School (Cipher) at Mhow.

But after creation of the Signals Officers Training School, as part of the STC (British) Mhow, trained cadets commissioned into the Royal Signals as well as the commissioned officers of the Indian Signal Corps during 1940-46. All these institutions, except the Army Signal School, Poona, were amalgamated at Mhow on October 1, 1946 to form the Indian Signal Corps School. After independence, it was renamed the School of Signals on June 25, 1948.

The school was organised to train Young Officers (No 1 Squadron), Tech Training (No 2 Squadron) and Cipher Training (No 3 Squadron). However, in 1947 the squadrons were renamed Coys. By early 1949, the establishment was revised again and the school re-designated the School of Signals.

On October 1, 1967, the School of Signals was re-designated "Military College of Telecommunications Engineering" (MCTE) in keeping with the advanced technical training being imparted in the Institution, and the Wings were renamed Faculties.

The Mhow Mercury

Mhow Training Center came into focus after the Japanese invasions in Burma and North East India. Before that Indian Divisions, largely British-officered, were moved to the Mediterranean area and played an important part in that area including, in the Italian campaign. After the rapid expansion of Mhow Training Center, a recreational paper was planned which gave birth to “The Mhow Mercury”.

It had overall only 36 issues starting first issue on 27th July 1944 and final issue on 29th March 1945. The majority of the issues were 6pp, some were 4pp, and one was 2pp and the final issue 10pp. It was printed at the Imperial Printing Press, Mhow initially and then at the Rasalpura Electric Press, Mhow (Vol. 2, No. 4 onwards).

Here is what editorial section of first edition has to say:

No fanfare of Trumpets; no Red Carpets; no Garlands of Orchids as the first edition of the new Mercury goes to press. The aim of this publication is to give you the up-to-date news on events in this station, far removed from the horrors and grim machinations of war. This is YOUR paper, and it is to you that we look for criticism. But don’t keep your comments to yourselves. Let us have them. Write your suggestions or criticisms on a piece of paper, add your name and number, and hand it in to your Wing office.

May be you have an idea which will benefit the social activities of the S.T.C. Let us have it, and if it’s good, we’ll use it. Remember it’s YOUR paper and we want you to help in its publication.

Have you a bona fide grievance? Do you wonder why the Thrift shop only opens on Friday? Are you worried about your stoppages, your food, your Income Tax? Drop us a line and we’ll give you an explanation. One thing more, be brief for we’re short of space.

Maybe you have a short story or an article on ‘Dhobis’ tucked away in your Kit Bag. Send it in maybe you’ll hit the headlines.

Our Live Letter Box and Poet’s Corner are your features. Keep them going, chaps.

The weekly publication of this paper depends on YOU. So, with apologies to Winston Churchill we say, Give us the scripts, and we’ll continue the job.

Here is what editorial section of last edition has to say:

Sir James Grigg’s recent statement that general demobilization would not come into effect until Japan in beaten, has shattered the hopes of those, like myself, who were optimistic of early release when Germany is beaten. If the Govt. makes this decision general throughout the world, and rule out all possibility of ‘string pulling’, this news is not as depressing as it first seems.

After the downfall of the Third Reich, two million more men will be available for the Far East theatre of operations, and the Govt. will then have little excuse for not bringing repatriation down to 3 years of even less.

The British press has long been telling its readers of the bitter winter conditions our troops are suffering on the Western front. We realize, and appreciate, the hardships suffered by them and we hope for an early victory, in order that they can come east to enjoy the splendor and warmth of an eastern summer.

A famous London newspaper reported that a welcome was given to troops home from Burma, who had for three and a half years been sweltering in a temperature of 80 degrees (Celsius). If proof were needed that the 14th Army has been forgotten, then you have it here. The newspaper concerned would do well to study temperatures in Burma before again making such a faux pas.

As the German army crumbles and their cities are systematically razed to the ground by Round-the-Clock bombing by allied air forces, a child of seven wrote to Air Chief Marshal Harris, thanking him for bombing Germany off the map. The reason which prompted her to write this letter of thanks was, she said, because the removal of Germany from the earth’s surface would make her Geography lessons easier.

Be of good cheer, the road which the allies have travelled since Sept. 1939 has been hard and long. The end is in sight, and before 1945 has petered out, great events will have taken place and sanity will once more come into its own.

As this final issue comes off the press, Mercury says farewell to the S.T.C. To those contributors who have helped us in the past, to Aunt Sally and Passionate Percy who responded to our appeal for regular contributors, we say thank you. Continued lack of interest in this paper justifies the decision by the A.O. and Editor to close it down. Alternative arrangements will be made to advertise the Unit entertainment and Cinema programmes within the Unit.

The Mhow Mercury Editions:

No. 1, 27th July 1944

No. 2, 3rd August 1944

No. 3, 10th August 1944

No. 4, 17th August 1944

No. 5, 25th August 1944

No. 6, 31st August 1944

No. 7, 7th September 1944

No. 8, 14th September 1944

No. 9, 21st September 1944

Vol. 1, No. 10, 28th September 1944

Vol. 1, No. 11, 5th October 1944

Vol. 1, No. 12, 12th October 1944

Vol. 1, No. 13, 19th October 1944

Vol. 1, No. 14, 26th October 1944

Vol. 1, No. 15, 2nd November 1944

Vol. 1, No. 16, 9th November 1944

Vol. 1, No. 17, 16th November 1944

Vol. 1, No. 18, 23rd November 1944

Vol. 1, No. 19, 30th November 1944

Vol. 1, No. 20, 7th December 1944

Vol. 1, No. 21, 14th December 1944

Vol. 1, No. 24, 4th January 1945

Vol. 1, No. 25, 11th January 1945

Vol. 2, No. 1, 18th January 1945

Vol. 2, No. 2, 25th January 1945

Vol. 2, No. 3, 1st February 1945

Vol. 2, No. 4, 8th February 1945

Vol. 2, No. 5, 15th February 1945

Vol. 2, No. 6, 22nd February 1945

Vol. 2, No. 7, 1st March 1945

Vol. 2, No. 8, 8th March 1945

Vol. 2, No. 9, 15th March 1945

Vol. 2, No. 10, 22nd March 1945

Vol. 2, No. 11, 29th March 1945

Unfortunately, I have Vol. 1, No. 22, 21st December 1944 and Vol. 1, No. 23, 28th December 1944 edition missing in my collection.

Before I end this long post, I would like to suggest my readers to have a look on:

From Semaphore to Satellite, The memoirs of Major General David Horsfield, Royal Signals

Indian Military Air Letter Card (MALC) - WWII

This is continuation of my old post Taj Mahal Military Air Letter Card. I had shown the airletter which was printed in S.S.P. Ltd. or Sree Saraswaty Press at Calcutta, India. The variety was known with coding S.S.P. Ltd. - G1623 - 15-9-44 - 3 lacs. Shown below is mint example of that type.

Today, I will be showing one more variety of same type.

Shown above is front side of what is called ICG 44, Sub-Type 1. Coded THE CALCUTTA PHOTOTYPE COMPANY as per catalogue "Indian Military Air Letter Cards 1942-47" by late O.R.J. Lee. The one I have is mint sample.

Mourning India - WW2 Nazi Propaganda Postcard against British India

Today's post is in continuation to my earlier Propaganda War Postcard post. You have seen couple of propaganda postcards from UK now see this alleged Swiss product, probably printed by the German Propaganda Ministry.

It depicts an Indian woman standing near a tombstone. It implies that the Indians are against the British and may soon rise us against their colonial rulers.

India in Mourning

Years of lost opportunities.

Here lies the hope of settling the Indian question!

An interesting propaganda from Axis side!

Bikaner Cash Coupon - WW2

Today's post is on another princely state cash coupon issued during WWII. Bikaner was a 17-Gun salute princely state of British India and now part of Indian state of Rajasthan. It bordered on the north and west by Bahawalpur; on the southwest by Jaiselmer; on the south by Jodhpur; on the southeast by the Shekawati district of Jaipur; on the east by oharu and Hissar; and on the north east by Ferozpore. It was part of Rajputana (Western Rajputana States Agency). It acceded to India in 1949.

The state was ruled by Lt.-Gen. HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Shiromani Maharajah Sri Sadul Singhji Bahadur G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., C.V.O., 22nd Maharaja of Bikaner 1943/1950 during WW2 period after demise of his father Maj.-Gen.HH Maharajadhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Narendra Siromani Maharaja Sri Sir Ganga Singhji Bahadur.

Ganga Singh who ruled from 1887 to 1943, was the best-known of the Rajasthan princes and was a favourite of the British Governors-General. He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India, served as a member of the Imperial War Cabinet, represented India at the Imperial Conferences during the First World War and the British Empire at the Versailles Peace Conference.

Sadul Singh accompanied his father on important Imperial and International conferences including the peace treaty at Versailles in 1919 and the League of Nations Session. Since second World War was still going on with full vigour when he succeeded to the Gaddi, following his father's tradition he offered his sword and personal services in the cause, and expressed his desire for an opportunity to proceed on active service. He also repeated the offer in his letter dated 25'h July 1943 after becoming the Maharaja. The offer being accepted this time, the Maharaja, accompanied by his second son, Maharaja Kumar Amar Singh, left Bikaner on 26 October 1943, and visited the Sadul Light Infantry stationed in Persia, the 49 (Bikaner) G.P.T. Company stationed in Iraq as well as certain other units of other States Forces and Imperial and Allied troops including the 4th Indian Division and the 3 Indian and Armoured Division. He returned to India in November, 1943 and on his way to Bikaner visited the Ganga Risal which was then stationed in Sind.

In November 1944 Maharaja proceeded to the Assam-Burma war theatre where the Bikaner Bijey Battery was engaged in active operations against the Japanese and returned to Bikaner in December 1944. While passing through Calcutta on his return home, the Maharaja received a tumultuous reception by a lac or more people of Bikaner settled in Calcutta in pursuit of business. The Maharaja and his staff were the recipients of the 1939-45 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal and the War Medal.

Shown above is three of cash coupons issued by Bikaner estate during WWII. All the cash coupons mention Govt. of Bikaner in front and Sadar Treasury with Chief Treasury's signature on the reverse.

First one (on left) was issued with denomination of 1 anna. It shows a windy circular print-drawing which was later used for 10 paisa coin by Govt of India. It has been recorded as number 6.2 in Indian Paper Money Catalogue by Kishore Jhunjhunwalla.

The one at center was issued with denomination of 1 paisa. It shows a circular print-drawing with Govt. of Bikaner symbol. It has been recorded as number 6.1 in Indian Paper Money Catalogue by Kishore Jhunjhunwalla.

Other one (on right) was issued with denomination of 2 annas. It shows square print-drawing. It has been recorded as number 6.3 in Indian Paper Money Catalogue by Kishore Jhunjhunwalla.

The catalogue mentions another cash coupon which is missing in my collection. It was issued with denomination of 4 Annas and recorded as 6.4.

German WW2 Propaganda Leaflet against Indian Soldiers - Free Excursion to London

After a long time here is a German WW2 propaganda leaflet against Indian soldiers as part of Allied forces for my readers to savor! As usual this one is not in very good condition but then you can't expect more from a leaflet. It survived all odds of war for us to enjoy and admire it.

I am directly copying text from Herbert Friedman's article, which states:

This German leaflet (161/9 44 "Free Excursion to London") depicts three Indian troops looking at three scantily-dressed dancing girls. The propaganda text is very interesting. The Germans claim that after the war the British intend to give any Indians who had been held prisoner, a tour of London. They then suggest that rather than being killed on the battlefield, wouldn't it be better to allow yourself to be taken prisoner so that you can take part in the free tour. 

The text is: 

Tour of London! Free! 

All India Radio Delhi has said in its evening news bulletin of 25 September 1944 that the British government has decided recently that those prisoners of war who would be in Germany would be sent to London after the war. Beautiful girls having magical eyes are waiting even from now itself for those Indians who had jumped into the flames of war for the victory of England but fortunately did not meet the death. After this pleasure trip (of London) they will be sent home. 

But What Will Become of You Who Are Still on Battlefields? 

Be victims of the chilly winds of the Alps 

Be frozen in the freezing cold of Italy 

Face the adversary, platoons and weapons 

And finally, be targets of bullets! 

Go to permanent sleep with the desire to go home! 

If the war is going to end soon as the British propaganda says, then is it justified for you to lose your life in the terminal stage? 

One stone two birds! 

Protect your life!        Tour of London via Germany! 

And then home!

The back depicts the same three Indian soldiers enjoying a cruise on a ship named "London." The text is the same as on the front.

"DON'T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS" - Indian Airmail WWII

Today's post is continuation of my previous post "Don't Believe In Rumour". It is another propaganda airmail letter created by Indian Airmail Society.

Shown above is one of the famous airmail letter issued by Indian Airmail Society during WWII. The concept of such letter was from Stephen Smith, secretary of Indian Airmail Society and a known pioneer of Rocket Mail during those times.

The letter was carried through a airplane piloted by J. *ton (I am terribly sorry but I couldn't read the letters properly. If any of my reader can decode then please let me know). The letter carries his signature close to large shaped 'V'. The letter carries a red colored special cancellation cachets: "BY AIR" and a black colored "CC-Calcutta" on front side.

The letter has cancellation of Dum Dum (a place in Calcutta) of November 21, 1941, 9:15 a.m. It has been backstamped with slogan "Buy Defence Savings Certificates" dated November 21, 1941, 5:30 p.m. at Park Street (again Calcutta).

This cover has also been signed by Stephen Smith on the reverse side.

The letter carries a very large V in red color with text in center and "DON'T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS" in bigger font on the left side. The text on left hand side reads:

WAVEL CHASED BENITO OUT.

The message reminds Axis forces of massive Italian defeat in Africa by General Wavell forces in February 1941.

It continues with more text:

THE MISSING LINK.
OFT IN THE STILLY NIGHT,
IN EAST AFRICA,
I USED TO HEAR,
THAT JACKAL CRY.
HAS ANYONE HERE
SEEN MUSSOLONI,
OH WHERE IS HE.
-----------
ASK WAVEL HIS
EPSOM SALTS
ARE MISSING
-----------
INDIAN
AIRMAIL
SOCIETY

It sarcastically mentions EPSOM SALTS which originated from Epsom, Surrey, England.

Support to Blind People - WW2 Pamphlet (India)

Today's post is on one of the advertisement pamphlet issued by Government of India during WW2 to assist blind soldiers. I don't have much historical background on it i.e. in which year it was issued or was it really a government agency publication/distribution or some private party. My guess is it was indeed some governmental organization publishing but the pamphlet doesn't give any concrete proof.

Since the text of the pamphlet is in Hindi hence I have translated them in English for consumption of my readers.

Support to Blind people

Government of India has accepted the proposal to educate Blind soldiers in Lahore's Blind School and Bombay's Victoria Memorial School.

The blind soldiers will be able to learn variety of useful craftsmanship in these schools. They will be able to develop skills which will help them spend their time working. If they wish then they can earn extra money besides their pension.

Relevant skills and quality will be:

Education Related

Read, write and be able to do calculations using specially designed books.

Craftsmanship Related

Making wooden basket, weaving clothes and placing bent tree sticks to form chairs.

These schools will teach education and craftsmanship related skills. Blind soldiers will be given following perks while they get trained in these schools:
a) Free Food and Shelter
b) 6 Rupees monthly allowance besides their pension or any income they would have earned through their skills.
c) Blind soldier and if needed his assistance will be paid for return rail transportation charges from his house or barrack where he is under treatment to school.

The duration of training will be around 9 months.

Whoever (blind soldier) would like to get admission in these schools shall place his request to his district collector.

----------------------------
Delhi Printing Works, Delhi

WW2 India Airgraph - Taj Mahal Illustration

For last couple of months, I have been reluctantly trying to build collection on WW2 India related Airgraphs. One of the reason has been high cost of these materials and not having proper catalogue to compare and find out how many such varieties are in existence. Every time, I see such Airgraph not in my collection, I am inclined to buy them but at last moment I have withdrawn because of high cost. So far, I have tried to buy only those which I think design wise are really gem and worth to be in my collection. Most likely, prices of these varieties will keep on going northwards only.

I am presenting two such Airgraphs today from my collection which have Taj Mahal as theme. Shown below is first such variety, sent by A Roper of 7th Battalion, Worcester Regiment, India Command in 1943 to Mrs. D. Adams, London. The Airgraph has censor DHC6.

The Airgraph has message in English:

My thoughts of you are fondest and this Xmas wish sincere is made of all the happiness that I wish you through the year.

- From your loving brother.

The Airgraph has printed design of multiple Taj Mahal starting from left side and moving towards right side. As it moves from left to right the size decreases. It then also has on right hand side a vertical black block on which two roses are depicted with text:

1943 - 1944

Greetings FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A Victorious New Year

Shown above is another variety sent by Major J Roberts of GHQ (I) SIGNALS, India Command to J. A. R. Dryden, Edinburgh, Scotland in 1944.

It shows a soldier on left hand side smiling with India and Taj Mahal in center. The print also has on the left hand side temples/mosques and church on right hand side with a ship sailing from left side to right side. Basically, it conveys wishes and letters moving from India to England (home).

It has a message:

"Christmas Greetings to all at Home"

which sums up all the illustration.

I was automatically drawn towards both the illustration and ended by buying them at high price :-) I guess, I will continue to do so as long as I see good illustration on Airgraph. See this for example (this is in my wish list for long time). Though, I don't think I can ever build an impressive collection as Alan Berman did.

As a reference you can see original form of 2nd Airgraph shown above here.