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.

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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

Going East - WW2 Publication

Today's post is on another book published by The Directorate of Army Education GHQ (India) for British soldiers about to serve in East Asia during WWII. The book was printed by The Times of India Press, Bombay somewhere in 1945. The book doesn't mention date of publication but I could guess based on the contents. The copy I have was once owned by a soldier serving in SEAC.

The book covers following topics:

- The strategic importance of South East Asia
- South East Asian Scene
- The Peoples of South East Asia
- Getting Along with the People
- Currency, weights, and measures
- Government in South East Asian Countries
- India's Fighting Forces
- The Climate of South East Asian Countries
- The Rules of Health
- Amenities in the East
- Useful phrases in Urdu, Burmese and Malay

It starts with a serviceman's guide to India, Burma, Malaya and Sumatra. It talks why the soldier is being deputed in this part of the world.

"You have come or are coming to the East for one main reason - to finish off the Japanese as quickly as possible. They have got to be driven out of the countries they have overrun and finally, if necessary, beaten into surrender in their own homeland. You may find yourself in any one of the countries mentioned in this pamphlet - India, Burma, Malaya or Sumatra. If you look at world map, you will soon see why.

India is a half way house between east and west. It is the centre of the British Commonwealth and Empire, and stands astride the main sea and air routes between Europe, Africa and the Far East. The safety of Australia and New Zealand, and our kinsfolk in them, largely depends upon the integrity of India. India and Ceylon are obviously the countries from which to supply our forces in Burma and to mount any operations going East.

Once the whole of Burma, as well as India, is ours, it will be easier to take and hold Malaya with its important naval base at Singapore, and Sumatra which juts right into the Indian ocean. Once we have Burma, Malaya and Sumatra we are not only closing the ring on the Japanese, but possess the springboards from which to attach them in Indo-China, China and Formosa....."

It then covers the first impression any foreigner gets when landing in Asia particularly in India. The book then takes you to scenic route of Asia. Talking about India, it says India is a land of tremendous contrasts, in which almost every imaginable type of countryside and of climate can be found. It further touches briefly on Himalayas, Northern Plains and The Deccan Plateau. Finally, it briefly covers landscape of Burma and Malaya.

Continuing its journey, the pamphlet then talks about the most important aspect of Asia - its people and cultural heritage. It produces a short historical sketch of India with its history going back to 5000 B.C., about Burma, Malaya and Sumatra.

It advices how to get along with the people. It covers various religion of India such as The Hindus, about Indian Caste System ,The Sacred Cows, The Muslims, The Sikhism, The Parsees, The Gurkhas, Buddhism, Europeans and The Anglo-Indians. It also talks about the hospitality of Indian and Asian people. The sensitive topic of Women in the East, various festivals, fascinating Bazaars, Beggars etc.

Above page shows India's place in World Communications in those times and why it mattered so much for Allies to keep India united and under their control.

The pamphlet covers various places of interest to soldiers on their leave, currency, weights and measures, the respective government in South East Asian countries and princely states.

Finally, it coves India's fighting forces. Talking about them, it mentions:

"The Indian Army is now over 2,000,000 strong and is drawn from all parts of the sub-continent. Every man in the Indian Army is a volunteer. The Indian Army forms an important part of the United Nations' spearhead against the Japanese in Asia. You will also know that Indian troops have played a distinguished part in driving the Germans out of Africa and in making them surrender in Italy. You may find yourself fighting side by side with these splendid men and therefore you want to know a little about the Indian Army and the men in it.

In the last war, the Indian Army consisted of about 235,000 troops, of whom 67 per cent, were Indians. They fought in France, in Mesopotamia, Egypt and Palestine, and at Gallipoli and Salonika.

More than a million Indians volunteered for military services during the last war, and India's fighting forces suffered 120,000 casualties....."

It then covers the Volunteer Army, their grades/designations, The R.I.N. and The R.I.A.F.

"The Indian Air Force came into existence in 1933. It now has 9 squadrons, and an anti-aircraft co-operation unit, a force which, in total strength is equal to 12 squadrons. In March 1945, the I.A.F. became the Royal Indian Air Force.

To-day the Royal Indian Navy is larger than it has ever been before. Since 1939, it has expanded 12 times in personnel, with an even larger expansion in ships and training establishments.

The first warship to be built in India was H.M.I.S. Travancore, launched on July 7, 1941. It was designed as a mine-sweeper and a submarine-chaser.

The R.I.N. has been engaged in mine-sweeping even since the outbreak of war, and in the dark days of 1941 it assisted the R.N. in the Battle of the Atlantic. Indian ships rendered great service in keeping open and protecting the supply lines from India to North Africa, and hence played their part in the victories gained by the Indian soldiers in this theatre. The work of the R.I.N. in the landings off Sicily and Italy, in bombarding Ramree Island just off Burma, in engaging Japanese ships and in patrolling India's coastlines, has been most meritorious....."

It then covers the climate of South East Asian Countries which soldiers have to get accustomed to. The peaks of Himalayas, to rain forest of Burma and Sumatra is some of hurdles that soldiers have to encounter in this theatre. It then recommends soldiers to take some precaution about their health while in Asia.

Finally, it touches some of the amenities in the East, prices in India, useful phrases and some other recommended books to get familiarize with Asia.

You can read complete book here:Going East.

The Bikaner Rajpatra (WWII Gazette) - 27th Dec 1941

Today's post will be long one :-) It is a publication by Princely State Government of Bikaner on return of Maharajah from his tour of Middle East Asia war front during WWII. It is a state gazette also called as "The Bikaner Rajpatra" in Hindi.

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER
--------
NOTIFICATION.
Lallgarh, the 22nd December 1941.

No. 79. - The following speech delivered by His Highness the Maharajah in reply to the Address of Welcome presented by the Citizens of Bikaner on his return from the Middle East War Front is published for general information.

By Command
MANDHATA SINGH
Prime Minister.

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SPEECH BY GENERAL HIS HIGHNESS THE MAHARAJAH OF BIKANER, G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., G.C.V.O., G.B.E., K.C.B., A.D.C., L.L.D., ON THE 21ST DECEMBER 1941, IN REPLY TO THE ADDRESS OF WELCOME PRESENTED BY THE CITIZENS OF BIKANER ON HIS RETURN FROM THE MIDDLE EAST WAR FRONT.

--------

GENTLEMEN;
I thank you very sincerely for the Address of Welcome which you have presented to me on my return from the Middle East War Front and I can assure you that the sentiments of loyalty and affection which you have expressed towards me and my family have touched me deeply.

As you know I am never so happy when I am in my own State among my own people; and I need hardly say that I am very glad to be back again in your midst.

Let me take this opportunity of once again saying how greatly I was moved by the wonderful manifestation of your love and devotion both when I left for the War Front and when I returned. These spontaneous demonstrations strengthen my belief that through the blessings of Providence I am fortunate beyond measure in the loyalty and affection of my beloved people.

You have indeed appropriately alluded to the courage and martial spirit shown by my elder grandson, Prince Karni Singhji, in accompanying me on Active Service; and I share with you the pride at his having proved himself so true to the traditions of the Kshatriya race and of our State.

Since my return from the Middle East I have had more than one occasion of speaking about the War, and particularly of the great gallantry and magnificent work done by our Indian Troops. Today, however, I propose to touch upon a few other matter of importance.

I have felt all along, from the moment that the present War started in September 1939, that it was bound to develop into a Second World War. But the present conflict has already proved itself to be a far greater War than the last one, having exceeded it both in intensity and extent; and it might well be said that it now covers the entire world from one end to the other.

This war has now reached the borders of India; and I would like in the first place to impress upon you that, in spite of the initial advantages which Japan has secured through treachery and the element of surprise - though at the cost of extremely heavy casualties in killed and wounded - and although in Wars of such magnitude there must inevitably be ups and downs, there is no cause of alarm. And you, our Seths and Sahukars, as great businessmen and financiers whose level-headedness and steadiness are proverbial, can be of great service to India under the present circumstances by avoiding panic and setting your face sternly against all measures which injure the financial credit of India.

I would, therefore, ask you to be calm and unruffled and to carry on your business in spite of certain dislocation and handicaps which must be expected in such circumstances and to beware of believing false information and alarmist rumours.

As I said the other day, it is true that Germany and Italy have received for the moment a certain accession of strength by Japan's entry into the War; but it should not be lost sight of that already mighty British Empire has gained a far greater accession of strength through the entry of the United States of America - a far more powerful country with far greater resources and much larger population - as our great Ally.

Russia too is our Ally, and in spite of the initial disadvantages which she had to face, is now securing undreamt of victories over Germany, whose forces have suffered tremendous casualties and who has lost a vast amount of war equipment.

Great Britain, which was so unprepared at the start of the War as compared with the Nazi preparedness, has in the past year and a half reorganised her Army, and thanks to its added equipments of all kinds, is now in a very strong position, as is evident from the series of victories which are now being achieved in Libya.

The theory of German invincibility has thus definitely been disproved once for all.

China too, which has so heroically stood against Japan's onslaught for the past 5 years or so, is now our Ally; and some of the other European Nations conquered by the Germans earlier in the War have now raised considerable Forces and are also fighting with great tenacity on our side. As instances I need refer only to the Poles and the Free French.

And do not, above all, forget that the mighty arm and the indomitable Navy of the British Empire are ever ready to defend India.

Thus there cannot be least doubt that the British Empire and its Allies, who form the greatest combination of Nations in the world opposed to the Axis Powers, will, under God's providence, win - and win decisively - putting finally to rest the sense of fear which has for so long haunted the world.

There is happily no need for me to appeal to any section of my people to do everything in their power to support the War efforts of the Empire. For I am well aware how all classes and communities of my subjects are united with me in rendering the utmost possible service to our beloved King-Emperor and the maximum assistance within our power and resources to the Empire.

But modern warfare is essentially a questions of resources. Great Britain alone is daily spending collosal sums of money on the War, whilst the people of Great Britain and other parts of the Empire have made tremendous sacrifices and most significant contributions. The contributions of India too, in spite of certain political differences, have been remarkable; and the Viceroy's War Purpose Fund has already reached many crores. My Government has contributed, is contributing and will continue to contribute, whole-heartedly for War purposes in various ways.

I am well aware of the munificent and loyal donations that so many of you have on various occasions made for work for a beneficent character in our State which have been of great advantage to the State and its people. I have, as in the past, already gratefully acknowledged these spontaneous donations which you so generously made at the time of the Golden Jubilee of my reign. In the face, however, of precarious and adverse conditions and other factors it was my hope, subject to the materialisation of a scheme which my Government had in view, and provided that the War was not to spread, to relieve you at least on this occasion and I had further hoped that our Government and, to a certain extent, I and my family would be able to shoulder your responsibilities. But such a scheme did not materialise. Thus though for such reasons, for which you Seths and Sahukars of Bikaner were in no way responsible, we have so far postponed making a direct appeal to the richer community in Bikaner - so renowned for their wealth and generosity - to make their due contribution towards the War, I am now confident that they, too, will give a good amount of themselves and uphold the honour and pride of Bikaner as the most loyal of the loyal States of India.

I would also like to say that it is not improbable that my Government may before long decide upon certain measures purely as prudent precautions against possible air raids, particularly in the Capital. But that should not cause any alarm to the general public nor be regarded as indicating the imminence of air raids on our Towns of which we have been told there is no great likelihood.

What you have said today in your Address about the Proclamation, which I issued on the eve of my departure on Active Service, is most gratifying to me, as I am sure it is to the Maharaj Kumar. You all know that I and my family are inspired by the most earnest desire to be of service at all times to the State and to all classes and communities of our people, and the issue of the Proclamation was another measure which I am confident will prove to be immensely beneficial to the subjects of the State and tend to their still greater contentment and well-being.

Gentlemen, I once again thank you very much for your loyal Address and, as ever, I pray that God's blessings may be upon you all and upon our State.

The War may come still closer to us. Parts of India may be bombed or bombarded. But put your faith in God and the British Empire; and never fear; we shall win.

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The Jungle Book - Military Training Pamphlet No. 9 (India)

Today's post is an interesting one. It is all about a Military Training Pamphlet issued during WW2 in India to assist commanders in preparing their units for Jungle Battle in East Asia and Asia Pacific region particularly in North East India, Burma, Malaya, Indo-China, Andaman-Nicobar Islands, Papua New Guinea etc. There is an interesting story behind these pamphlets.

Prior to World War II, experience in fighting in the jungle was lacking in both the British and Indian armies as a whole. The knowledge that did exist was largely limited to those officers who has been hunting, an activity often seen as one of the advantages of service in the Indian Army. This did not, however, amount to a viable doctrine. The British Army did not really come into contact with jungle conditions, and within the Indian Army only a few officers encountered the jungle through imperial policing in areas such as jungles of Burma.

A range of books were published at the turn of the century for soldiers fighting irregular opponents in Africa and Asia. In addition, there were the lessons learnt from the East African bush campaign during WWI, but these were not absorbed into training manuals, except for those produced for the African units of the Royal West African Frontier Force and the King's African Rifles. The only source of tactical guidance during the interwar period was the official doctrine used by all the Commonwealth Armies laid down in the 1935 edition of Field Service Regulations, which devoted 2 pages to the subject of jungle warfare, focusing on operations against 'uncivilised' opponents. Jungle warfare on the North-East Frontier of India, during the interwar period of example, only affected paramilitary forces, such as Burma Military Police and the Assam Rifles, fighting irregular opponents. Despite being led by both British and Indian Army officers, none of the tactical lessons learned were disseminated into the mainstream of the British or Indian armies.

The defence of Malaya against a possible overland invasion (a growing threat throughout the 1930s) was the first indication that specialist knowledge of living, moving and fighting in the jungle might be required by regular British and Indian army troops. This threat produced the initial training pamphlets in 1940 which focused mostly on Malaya and a bit about Jungle Warfare. There were two pamphlets produced, one of them was first edition of Military Training Pamphlet (MTP) No. 9 (India): Notes on Forest Warfare. This was not very well written and was mostly on how to tackle 'uncivilised' opponents of Jungle thus it was not widely circulated or read by officers. Over the next two years, more editions were printed and distributed, including imparting some training on Jungle Warfare but there were number of reasons (political/non-political) why there was not much importance given to it.

The real turning point, as far as improving overall standards of jungle training was concerned, was the appointment of the Infantry Committee in June 1943 on the orders of the C-in-C India after the disastrous First Arakan campaign had shown how dire the situation was. The committee studied the problem for two weeks. It blamed the defeats in Burma and Malaya on the 'milking' and expansion of the Indian Army, the failure to recognise the importance of infantry in battle, the lack of basic training and experienced leadership, the fighting on two fronts, the lack of collective training as formations, prolonged periods of contact with the enemy, the lack of trained reinforcements, the problem of malaria and the lack of resources.

The committee accepted the proposal that training divisions be set up in order to teach jungle warfare after basic training. All Indian troops and British reinforcements would now undergo two months jungle training under designated training divisions.

The campaigns in Malaya, Burma and First Arakan had shown that MTP No. 5 on Extensive Warfare and the existing training manuals for jungle warfare were an inadequate basis for infantry training, as the manuals did not fully address new tactical problems such as bunkers. It was not until after the Arakan that periodic Army in India Training Memorandum (AITMs) regularly included sections of jungle warfare and specific training for warfare in this terrain. Even though all these improved quality of training materials still it was found that most of the officers had not read the training manuals or carried out training according to their guidelines.

GHQ (General Head Quarters) India finally produced a comprehensive jungle warfare doctrine with the publication of 1,00,000 copies of the fourth edition of MTP No. 9 (India), The Jungle Book, in September 1943, The new edition doubled the circulation of the previous edition of MTP No. 9. It had a new format that according to General Auchinleck was to be different from the usual, dull training manuals and was aimed at popularising training. It included photographs and cartoons for the first time in order to make it more appealing to officers and men. Its clearly stated purpose was to help COs (Commanding Officers) train their units in the specialised fighting methods needed to beat the IJA (Imperial Japanese Army) in the Jungle, stating: 'In principle there is nothing new in jungle warfare, but the environment of the jungle is new to many of our troops. Special training is therefore necessary to accustom them to jungle conditions and to teach them jungle methods. It gave the examples of jungle craft, physical fitness, good marksmanship and decentralised control as attributes that needed addressing in jungle warfare training.'

The training manual assimilated all the lessons from the previous editions of MTP No. 9 and the AITMs, and included lessons from First Arakan and from American and Australian experiences of fighting the Japanese in the Pacific. The pamphlet was the basis of jungle fighting methods for the remainder of World War II.

The pamphlet was produced by a professional production team employed by the Directorate of Military Training in India. The pamphlet was meant to be readable and appeasing to wartime officers and men, hence it came with a cover displaying a picture of a hand emblazoned with the words 'Good Training' crushing a caricature of a Japanese soldier.

The pamphlet mentioned that it was meant for distribution to all officers and N.C.Os down to corporal of British units and all officers of Indian units. It was 62 page pamphlet not including any of the photographs or cartoons shown.

It said that this pamphlet should be read in conjunction with the pamphlet "Japanese in Battle -- Enemy Methods" and can be regarded as being Part II of that pamphlet.

I am trying to acquire that pamphlet also for my collection. Once I have that, we will cover it in future post.

Shown on right side is one of the cartoon from the pamphlet which cautions allied soldiers before making a quick decision on fate of Japanese soldier lying as dead on ground.


It also talked briefly on different terrains of fighting area. Shown below is a page on Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Here comes the best part of the manual for today's foot soldier (ordinary human like you and me). I thoroughly enjoyed reading the "Appendix G: Notes on Jungle Craft" and "Appendix H: Living on the Country". It reminded me "Man vs Wild" show on Discovery Channel. Most of the examples and illustrations given in the pamphlet under these sections are commonly seen today in practice in most of such shows.

The pamphlet is really great study material and a must of WWII collectors specially those who are interested in WWII literature. It is mostly a military training pamphlet with a bit of propaganda in it. I was looking for this pamphlet for long and am really glad to have it in my collection now.

Princely state of Bharatpur Gazette on V-J Day

Today's post is extra ordinary :-) Well, it is an extra ordinary gazette publication by Bharatpur state on V-J Day. You can understand why it is called extra ordinary. It was half page unusual publication by State press, Bharatpur due to the most important event of the 20th century.

Shown below is Bharatpur State Gazette or called as "Bharatpur Raj Patra" in Hindi. It was published on 18th August 1945 just after V-J Day (15th August 1945).

It was published in English. The text reads:

ORDER
Dated Bharatpur, the 17th August 1945.

No. 20458 In connection with the Victory over Japan and the conclusion of War announced by His Excellency the Viceroy over the radio, 16th and 17th August, 1945, are declared to be public holidays throughout the whole state. Sunday the 19th August, 1945, has been fixed for Thanks-giving in Temples, Mosques and Churches (programme issued separately) 20th and 21st August, 1945, are fixed for Victory Celebrations at Headquarters where these two days will be local half holidays exception for the Session of the Brij Jaya Pratinidhi Samiti. 20th August would be holiday for celebrations for Tehsils also. None of the State employees will be permitted to take leave within this week, i.e., 16th to 21st August, 1945. All are expected to participate in every function of the celebrations.

HUKAM SINGH,
Dewan, Bharatpur State, Bharatpur

A Call To The Nation - WWII Pamphlet

Today's post is a WW2 pamphlet asking people of India to buy defence loans. British Government had issued similar war defence loan schemes in most of the colonies during WWII. Thus, I assume the slogan "A Call To The Nation" used was very common. Though, the slogan was published with an Indian bugle man in India. This was common design for such advertisement since I also have an edition of Indian Information publication by Govt. of British India which has same front cover design.

Shown above is front side of pamphlet. While reverse side carries the need for such scheme and how can one make investment in that.

The text in English reads:

MODERN war means mechanised armies, tanks, aeroplanes - thousands of them - and guns, in addition to men and munitions, and to equip and maintain a modern army for defending our homes will cost very large sums of money. Every patriotic Indian can help to make India strong and thus protect his home and family by saving as much as possible and lending his savings to Government. The Government of India have issued Defence Loans to suit the convenience of different classes of people. The object of these Defence Loans is to raise money to expand and equip our army, navy and air force for the defence of our country. By subscribing to these loans you will be paying the best insurance for your freedom and happiness.

(I) 10-Year Defence Savings Certificates

These certificates are a very safe and convenient method of investment. The minimum value of certificates is only Rs. 10. They are, however, issued in larger amounts also - Rs. 50, Rs. 100, Rs. 500, and Rs. 1,000. A ten rupee certificate carries interest at the rate if five annas for each complete year, except the first year. In addition to interest, a certificate holder is entitled to a bonus of four annas at the end of the fifth year and eight annas at the end of the tenth year. The interest is income-tax free. Thus, at the end of ten years, the certificate is valued at Rs. 13-9-0, having earned Rs. 3-9-0. This works out at the rate of 3-1/8 per cent. compound interest. The certificate can be bought at any post office, but no person can buy more than Rs. 5,000 (face value). Unlike other securities, fluctuations in the market cannot diminish their value. For if a holder wishes to get his money back before 10 years, he has only to apply to the Post Office from which he bought the certificate and he will get back his deposit of Rs. 10 plus the interest and bonus that has accured on it.

War Supplement, 18 April 1942 - Jodhpur State Gazette

Today's post is a war supplement to the Jodhpur Government Gazette issued on 18th April 1942. This particular edition is special because it contains a photograph printed using cyclostyle method which is obsolete now. Even those days, very few gazettes used to carry photographs.

The gazette shows photograph of German planes lying in junkyard after shot down by allied forces with a comment below "What a fine bag!". It is a sarcastic comment on Nazi air power.

Finally, it urges people of princely state to donate generously to Shri Umed Singhji Air Defence Fund created to raise squadrons of RAF to fight enemy.

The text on Gazette reads:

------------------

India needs more Fighter-aircrafts to drive the enemy away.

Give generously to

SHRI UMED SINGHJI AIR DEFENCE FUND.


(A PART OF THE COLLECTION GOES TOWARDS THE RELIEF OF JODHPUR SOLDIERS).


AND HELP TO MAKE INDIA STRONG.


Your contribution shall be gratefully accepted by the Hon. Treasurer.

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Issued by the P.O. on behalf of Shree Umed Singhji Air Defence Fund Committee, Jodhpur.

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The article will be incomplete without mentioning a brief note on Maharaja Umed (Umaid) Singhji of Jodhpur. He was a keen aviator besides being a great ruler. In the very first year of his accession to the throne of Marwar, he established the first landing ground at Jodhpur in 1924. The Maharaja was in fact the first Indian prince to earn an ‘A’ Level flying licence. In 1931, he established the Jodhpur Flying Club (JFC) with his two Tiger Moths. By 1938, the JFC was at the forefront of civil aviation in India, with three international airlines operating air services to Jodhpur. The Maharaja was also a stakeholder in the first aviation company in India. With the rumblings of World War-II, and as the Battle of Britain raged in Europe in 1940, the Maharaja - a true soldier complained to the then viceroy, “I have no use for the Honorary rank”. His position did not allow him to personally engage in dogfights in Spitfires and Hurricanes, so he had to be content with the command of his base at Jodhpur.

As the focus of the war shifted to Burma and the far East, Jodhpur became a hub of the air operations, and in 1941, Jodhpur Air base was transformed into the No 2 Elementary Flying and Training School.

One can now easily understand the reason behind such air defence fund advertisement in state gazette. Due to his distinguished services, he was conferred as Air Vice Marshal of Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF).

Sadly, Lt. Gen. Air Vice Marshal HH Umed (Umaid) Singh died in an air crash on 9th June 1947, on Mount Abu.

R.I.A.F. Advertisement - British India

Today's post is a post-war advertisement given in "War supplement to the Jodhpur Government Gazette, August 18, 1945" by R.I.A.F. (Royal Indian Air Force). Even though, it was published in War Supplement of Gazette, I still say it is post-war advertisement because of V-J Day on 14th August, 1945.

You know, the exact date of the war's end is not universally agreed upon. It has been suggested that the war ended at the armistice of 14 August 1945 (V-J Day), rather than the formal surrender of Japan (2 September 1945); in some European histories, it ended on V-E Day (8 May 1945). The Treaty of Peace with Japan was not signed until 1951.

Anyway, this is certainly a WWII item given that it was published in War supplement to the Gazette.

This is an advertisement by R.I.A.F. inviting Indian youth to join them. It claims Aviation as new industry for India which is true only. Those times, the Indian Air Force was very small. The advertisement goes like this:

Prepare for the Newest Industry.

-------AVIATION!

BECOME A PILOT IN THE R.I.A.F.

----------------

The Royal Indian Air Force calls to the Youth of India. The flying fields, training schools and aircraft, all await those with spirit of adventure.

Now is the time for Indian youth to become air-minded, now is the chance to utilise the opportunity for free training for a flying career. The Royal Indian Air Force needs youngmen who are physically fit, courageous and possess the qualities of leadership. Youngmen with these qualities, who are between the ages of 17-1/2 and 28, and who have good general education, knowledge of current affairs and a first class knowledge of written and spoken English must not miss this chance. The future is theirs, the R.I.A.F. will make it.

Selected candidates who are successful in their training, and in other respects suitable, normally get their commission after 30 weeks. Appointment to a commission is in the rank of Acting Pilot Officer on probation. The probationary period is six months. On satisfactory completion of probationary period or on reaching the required standard of proficiency in his duties, whichever is later, an Acting Pilot Officer is promoted to the rank of Pilot Officer.

To every successful Marwari candidate selected for training as a pilot, the State would give a reward of Rs. 1000/- when he receives his Commission as a Pilot Officer after completing his training and six months probation.

For full details apply to:- .. ..

The Honorary Secretary,
Central Recruiting Committee,
Jodhpur

It also mentions salary details offered by R.I.A.F. at different ranks. Since, I feel anything related to CTC shall be kept confidential as taught to me in corporate world, I am not publishing that myself even though you can read them in advertisement :-)

Before we close this post, I just want to give you brief history of Indian Air Force or so called Royal Indian Air Force during WWII.

Royal Indian Air Force had its origins in the recommendation of the Skeene Committee in 1926. Six years later the Indian Legislature passed the Indian Air Force Act. The IAF came into being on October 8, 1932, and the first flight was formed in 1933. At that time, there were only six officers - five pilots and one equipment officer apart from 19 Havai Sepoys (air soldiers) and its aircraft inventory comprised four Westland Wapiti biplanes at Drigh Road (now in Pakistan).

The outbreak of second world war resulted in the expansion of IAF. By the end of 1941, the IAF had three squadrons and five coastal defence flights. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour brought the war to India’s doorstep and in December 1942, the IAF was inducted into Burma for the first Burma Campaign. In recognition of the services rendered by the Indian Air Force during the war, the service was bestowed with the prefix "Royal" on 12 March 1945 and was then known as the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF). In 1946 it consisted of 8 fighter and 2 transport squadrons with modern aircraft.

People who are interested in knowing the marvelous achievements of Royal Indian Air Force during WWII, are encouraged to browse following link:

The Indian Air Force in WW2

WW2 Pamphlet V for Victory Bugle Man - India

Today's item is on pamphlet issued in 1946 during Delhi Victory Week which was official local celebration of victory by the Allies over Germany and Japan.

The Delhi Victory Week was celebrated on March 3rd to 9th, 1946 in New Delhi, India. The Victory Week saw more than 100,000 visitors. Highlight of the week was the parade on 7th March, in which 10,000 men and women, horses, mules, camels, mechanized equipment, bands and airplanes took part. The Viceroy of India, Lord Wavell; the Supreme Commander of Southeast Asia, Lord Louis Mountbatten; the Commander-in-Chief in India, Sir Claude Auchinleck; and the U.S. Acting India-Burma Theater Commander, Maj. Gen. Vernon Evans, were on hand to witness the event.

Most of the literature printed during Victory Week had same design as shown below in the pamphlet.

The pamphlet shows a large V of Victory sign with a Bugle Man. The pamphlet is of size W 6.2" X H 9.6".

Continuing on the celebration events, the parade was led by units of the Armored Corps. Artillery, and Engineers of the British and Indian Armies with their equipment. It was followed by massed pipe bands and massed flags of formations. A crack detachment of 200 American troops, led by Capt. Donald McCullough, headed the marching columns.

The parade also showcased detachments from Nepal, West Africa, East Africa, Burma, the Royal Indian Navy, the Royal Indian Artillery, the Royal Indian Engineers, British Infantry, Indian State Force Infantry, Special Detachments, Royal Indian Army Service Corps, Indian Army Medical Corps, Indian Army Veterinary Corps, Indian Army Ordnance Corps, Army Remount Department, Indian Pioneer Corps, Indian Army Corps of Clerks, the Royal Air Force, and Royal Indian Air Force.

It was followed by massed provincial banners, Boys Detachments from most of the units of the Indian Army, Boys Detachments representing Indian State Forces, a Boys Detachment from the Royal Indian Army Service Corps, Women's Services, and Delhi Police Band and Delhi Police Department.

Another highlight and huge crowd puller was the fly-past by planes of the Royal Air Force and Royal Indian Air Force which concluded the parade. They included three Cornells, five Harvards, three Dakotas, six Hurricanes, 36 Spitfires and six Lancasters.

The week's events got underway on 4th March morning with a "Remembrance" Ceremony at Memorial Arch. Two thousand troops, representing all arms of the Indian, Nepalese and Burma Services, joined in exercises dedicated to those who lost their lives in World War II.

A military "tatoo" was given on 4th March evening at Irwin Stadium and repeated on 6th, 8th and 9th March, in which various exhibitions of marching, bagpipe playing and mechanized equipment were given, and the sky was lit brightly with fireworks.

War Related Advertisements on Jodhpur Govt. Gazette

Sometime back, I had bought a cartoon full of Princely States Gazettes of War related articles. I was initially too much excited thinking about materials that it contained but once I realised the mammoth task I had in hand of scanning and checking them then I lost my interest :D It has been since lying in my bookcase for months.

At one fateful day I dared to scan, could do so for some 50-60 documents, only to fall prey to my laziness. You can obviously guess, that today's post is fruit of that labour ;-) I have published couple of articles on Princely States Gazettes earlier also but they were more of official literature. This post is different from earlier ones as this contains some WWII period advertisements published in Princely States Gazettes. As far as I know, it is a bit uncommon to find private advertisements in official Government Gazettes. Though, I may be wrong here. Still, I found them interesting and hence sharing here.

Shown above is a Jodhpur State Gazette, dated August 23, 1941, containing an advertisement in English. The advertisement is about quality food provided by a general provision store run by its proprietor - Achalraj Lodha. The advertisement shows a Large "V" symbol with text "For Victory" - a very common design for Victory used during those times.

This is another advertisement again from the Jodhpur Government Gazette but dated October 3, 1942. The advertisement is published by Oriental Government Security Life Assurance Company in Hindi.

The translation of advertisement text in English is:

-----------------------------------------

We hope that sand bags and brick walls can protect you from air raids.
If they couldn't then we would definitely do so provided you have got your self and your relatives insured with us.

We don't charge any special fees for War risks as of now.

Amount which has been claimed ------- More than 260 Million Rupees
Total amount in current policies ------- More than 855 Million Rupees
Annual Income of 1941 ------- Around 50 Million Rupees
Total amount of last yr policy ------- Around 300 Million Rupees

Oriental Government Security Life Assurance Company Limited

Established 1874 Headoffice, Bombay

Phone no. 319 Branch Office, Court Road, Ajmer
Inspectorate Office, Court Road, Jodhpur
-------------------------------

Indian Information - Three Million Airgraphs A Month

Today, I am going to introduce another series in my blog :-) Sometime back last year, I had found a magazine or publication you can say on eBay which sounded me very interesting. It was an original publication but none bid on it. Despite putting it on my watch list, I forgot but later got it once seller agreed on re-opening it for me to bid. The price was higher still I bought it just out of curiosity.

The publication was "Indian Information". This publication was fortnightly issued by J. Natarajan, Principal Information Officer, Government of India. It was printed in India by Madan Gopal Mitter at Lal Chand & Sons, 76, Lower Circular Road, Calcutta. The same publication was reprinted with color cover and distributed by British Information Services, Washington, D.C. (USA) to save shipping space.

Its main aim was to provide a condensed record of the main peace and war activities of the Government of India, together with some outstanding facts about the British Government's war activities. The publication stated that it did not intend to compete with the Press; it existed for their convenience and was not intended for general circulation among the public.

It was meant for all those person and institutions whose general role was to inform the public, e.g., the public administrator, whether he be governmental (Central or Provincial), municipal, commercial, educational or institutional, the editor, the publisher, the journalist and the publicist.

It is very tough to get hands on reprinted publications forget about original ones. Remember even reprinted versions are official ones only. I don't see any difference in reprinted or original versions in terms of matter though original will always command more price when it comes to valuations. But, both are now days rare to find. It is indeed a WWII collectors treasure especially those who are interested in WWII literature given that this is official publication. Most of these are now available in libraries and museum only world wide. Well, I was fortunate enough to get hold of some editions :-) at very reasonable price.

Since it is publication thus it is difficult to cover completely in one post. So, I have decided to selectively publish articles from this publication here. The publication really gives good insight of war activities and related situation in India and other nations.

As part of that, today I am presenting an article from Vol. 13, No. 120, August 15, 1943 dated edition front cover of which is shown above. This article is about Airgraph Service in India, from its inception to war time situation including difficulties that Postal Department was facing at that time. A very interesting article touching even stamp theft cases those times and reason behind them. It also provides information why certain changes were done in Postal system to overcome theft problem which is still in existence today.

It took me a while but I have typed complete article as it is from publication. In fact, I have also provided enlarged image of the Director General of Posts and Telegraphs Department of India those days.

THREE MILLION AIRGRAPHS A MONTH
Mr. W. H. Shoobert In Expansion Of The Service

The fact that the Indian post office handles three million airgrphs a month- a million and a half inward and an equal number of outward airgraphs - was enclosed by Mr. W. H. Shoobert, Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, in a broadcast talk on "The Airgraph Service" from the Delhi Station of All India Radio on July 19. Mr. Shoobert gave a brief history of the service and its extension to India in 1942 and explained its particular advantages to the general public for overseas correspondence.

Here is the full text of Mr. Shoobert's Talk:

I have been asked to speak tonight about Airgraphs for a particular reason which I will explain presently. First, however, may perhaps recall, to those who are interested in this most useful device for wartime correspondence, a little of its brief history.

An airgraph service between the United Kingdon and our Army in the Middle East was introduced two years ago as a means of solving the problem of making the best possible use of the capacity available for mails on the direct air route - capacity which was very limited, indeed, owing to the heavy demands for other purposes connected with the war. The service from India to the United Kingdom became available in February, 1942.

A Thousand An Hour
As most of you know, letters on airgraph forms received at post offices throughout India are sent to the Airgraph Section in the Bombay General Post Office, where all outward airgraphs are collected, numbered, sorted, made up into bundles and transferred to the Kodak Studios. At the Studios each letter is photographed upon a tiny negative about half an inch square - and the rate at which the airgraphs forms pass through the special machine installed for the purpose is about 1000 an hour.

The rolls of films are developed in the Studios, carefully examined for faults, and packed in containers which are returned to the General Post Office for transmission by air to their destination. On arrival they are enlarged and a photographic reproduction of each original letter about 5 inches by 4 inches is printed and delivered to the addressee in a special type of envelope with a cut0out panel through which the address on the airgraph enlargement shows out.

A Great Future
Some of you may not know that while one pound weight of ordinary air or surface mail would on an average comprises only about thirty letters, one pound weight of airgraph film including the spool and container carries about three thousand airgraphs. Three thousand communications to the pound - instead of thirty - a hundred times gain in capacity!

That is the great future of the service - and it has a considerable advantage over all other forms of correspondence - for if an airgraph in spite of the careful examination to which it is subjected in the Studios is found on enlargement to be indecipherable for any reason (except, of course, just bad writing), or if owing to any accident a batch of films is lost in transit, a report is telegraphed from the place of receipt, and the original message is traced, re-photographed and transmitted a second time.

Another special convenience of this method of communication is that it can be utilised for advising remittances in code by approved Banks - and I may perhaps add a further great advantage in it which must appeal to the busy man - that is that limited space on an airgraph form furnishes him with an excellent excuse for writing only the briefest of letters to his devoted relations. Did I hear the opinion expressed that it is pity the noting of some Secretariat Departments is not confined to airgraph forms?

Service From India
It is an interesting fact that the airgraph service from India to the United Kingdom was available some months before that from the United Kingdom to India. As I have mentioned, the former started in February, 1942, but it was not until June 11 of that year that the first inward airgraphs arrived from England via Cairo, where they were enlarged and printed, because no enlarging apparatus was then available in India. The result was that for some time the inward service took considerably longer in transit than the outward, but in September 1942 Messrs. Kodak were able to install enlarging machinery in India and the first direct airgraph from the United Kingdom was received at the end of that month.

In addition to the service to the United Kingdom, airgraphs were introduced for Eire in April 1942, for Canada in October 1942 and for Newfoundland in April 1943. On the 10th of the current month a new direct airgraph service will also be available to and from New Zealand, the Fiji Islands, Tonga Islands and New Hebrides.

A Blessing
That a large number of people regard the airgraph as a blessing can be gauged from the fact that while in February 1942, the month of its introduction, 98,593 outwards airgraphs were flown from India, during the four weeks which have just passed more than a million and a half airgraphs left these shores - a very large proportion of which written by men in Fighting Forces. In the first full month for which the inward airgraph mail was available 255,300 of them were brought to India, but by April 1943 inward receipts also had risen to almost a million and a half monthly.

The average time taken by airgraphs in transit during the last two months has been nine days. Normally, about three days are occupied in enlarging and processing airgraphs received, but when consignments are very heavy this standard cannot, of course, be maintained. For communications with the countries for which it is available the airgraph is therefore incomparably quicker than the ordinary air mail which, owing to the load difficulty, still has to be carried for large part of its journey by surface route.

Theft Of Stamps
Each month, then, airgraphs in millions are being dispatched from India and safely delivered at their destinations, but it is of certain very disquieting cases, in which airgraph forms, duly stamped by those who wrote them, have never reached our Airgraph Section in Bombay, that I wish particularly to speak tonight.

Some publicity has already been given to the detection of thefts of undefaced stamps from airgraph forms in Karachi and Calcutta, and it is not unlikely that reports which have been current may have effected the confidence of some who have been using this method of correspondence. That those responsible for the administration of the Postal Services in India have been gravely disturbed by the disclosure of organised pilfering is an understatement of our feelings. The discovery that a group of minor officials of the Department were involved in this particularly contemptible form of postal crime was even more upsetting. But now that the crime has been detected and a number of arrests have been made it is only fair to inform the public of measures which have been taken to obviate the recurrence of this kind of thing in future.

Checks And Safeguards
I must explain that there are, of course, a number of ordinary departmental checks prescribed to prevent the theft of stamps by an occasional dishonest officer, and supervising officers are continually reminded of their responsibilities in this respect but it is the business of the determined thief to circumvent checks and safeguards and unfortunately the present extraordinary economic conditions and the fact that stamps have, in many places, been passing as currency have rendered both temptation and opportunity to commit crimes of this nature more obvious.

A dishonest private servant or orderly on a comparatively low pay must obviously find in the eight-anna stamp affixed to an airgraph, entrusted to him for posting, an easy means of supplementing his salary just as a minor postal official may find in it a ready temptation to conceal and pilfer an occasional article when opportunity offers. That such a danger might exist became particularly evident when the shortage of small coin was first felt in various parts of India. For that reason, in 1942, a Postal Notice was issued announcing that the postage stamps affixed to the airgraph forms, handed over by members of the public to postal officials for onward transmission, would be defaced in their presence.

We have recently made further announcements earnestly requesting the public, in their own interests, to see that this instruction is strictly followed, and advising them, as far as possible, to hand in personally at the Post Office counter their airgraphs or any mail letters bearing stamps of eight annas or more in value. Alternatively, it is wise to send a reliable servant to do so. This should not be very much trouble. After all, telegrams are booked in much the same way.

Embossed Forms
I have also to tell you that for some months we have been exploring the possibility of producing an airgraph form with the stamp embossed or printed upon it. There were certain difficulties, but it is hoped that forms embossed with three-anna stamps for the use of troops and eight-anna stamps for the use of the general public will be available for sale at post offices in a short time, and this should prove an effective solution of the problem with which we have had to deal.

You may ask whether any provision will be made for exchanging embossed forms which have become spoiled in any way. The reply is "yes". It is proposed to refund the value of such forms at post offices with a deduction of one anna for the cost thereof. I would here remind you that, for ordinary air mail, envelopes with 14-anna stamps printed on them can be purchased at all big post offices.

We may trust with confidence that the measures which have been taken will ensure that incidents such as those which occurred in Calcutta and Karachi will not happen again. Our regret that they have happened is none the less bitter. I hope that the information which I have given will reassures the listeners that the Posts and Telegraphs Department, under difficulties which are at the present time extreme, is fully mindful of its duty to the public and watchful of the public interests.

In conclusion, I would once more appeal to those who use foreign air mail to help protect their own interests by getting the stamps defaced by the postal staff in their own presence whenever possible.

Jodhpur Government Gazette - August 10, 1940 (War News)

This year December has been unusually hectic for me. I was thinking it to be relaxed period but surprisingly it has been more busy month than October-November. Well, don't take it as excuse for not updating the blog. I am not complaining :-) I hope I can work like this even after marriage ;-)

I am planning to go to my native place Patna after more than 3 years. There are couple of reasons for it. Of course it has been a very long time since I visited there so there are nostalgic reasons as expected. Nostalgia has different meaning for different people. Like I want to feel the chillness and cold weather of North India, indulge into the great food of winter like Sweet Carrot Halwa, Sweets made out of Til (I need to find English word for it) and Kachori/Paratha (Indian Fried Breads) made out of fresh green Gram flour. Winter is the season when one shall visit North India. It's bad weather but an unique experience!

Last but the least, I also want to go to Gangaes Ghats and roam around old and new Patna to refresh my childhood memories. This time, I also plan to carry camera to capture some moments. Even though, I have been born and brought up there still I know Patna always gives you an experience every time one visits. So let's see this time what I will have to share with my friends here when I return.

So, there will not be any more updates after this weekend until 16th Jan! I will be back in Bangalore on 10th Jan but will post 1st entry of Jan only on 16th-17th. I will try to see how much I can update this holiday weekend to compensate for December-January.

I have lots of literature items coming in next months. To start with, today's post is based on "The Jodhpur Government Gazette" dated August 10, 1940. Sometimes back, I had shared 2 pages of same Gazette. This post covers remaining 2 pages of same Gazette on War News.

The scan above shows the first page I am going to translate. The headline says "News" and it covers some statements by Allied leaders on war followed by small commentary on WWII through a character. Next page then covers weekly war news from around the world. I will skip the statements part and directly jump on commentary on war.

----------------------------Page 1-----------------------------------

The Voice of your Uncle -

Dear children, though I have grown old still I am very much familiar with places like Palestine, Egypt, France, Belgium, Holland, England etc. You would have started hearing name of these places now days very often but I have seen them in the last world war itself. I was a serving soldier that time, and even now I am mentally.

You are sons and daughters of a great country. (Here country refers to the place where the princely state of Jodhpur used to belong i.e. Marwar region.) Marwar has also been the birth place of great warriors. Our land is famous for brave Rathors. Very recently in 1897-98, our ruler Maharaja Shri Sardar Singhji had provided assistance to British Army in Frontier War. Maharaja Shri Sumer Singhji fought in France in last European war. Our army secured/won Haifa in Palestine. We captured some 700 prisoners of war and a number of machine guns. They are now decorated in Jodhpur Fort. You have seen them already, now wait for more! Our officers and soldiers were awarded total of 88 medals/citations.

We stil have our army in Risalpur. Shri Darbar Saheb is getting trained in air warfare under the command of Indian Air Force. We are natives of a brave and glorious country. I wish, I was serving in army even now.

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If you read you can make out that the article tries to raise partiotism in general public. It expresses a soldier's desire to fight for his country even though he is now retired. He still wants to serve. He recites examples set by Maharaja of the state and other dignitaries. It is like modeling the young minds of kids (or in crude way brain washing them so they grow up as loyal citizens of princely state and British Empire).

-----------------------------------Page 2------------------------------------------

Weekly News:-

Around the World:-

Air raids (German) continued on England. Sometimes, even Wales got hit. There was hardly any damage to England. Though, Germany had to suffer huge loss. (Seems clear propaganda !!)

Some Incidents:-

1. Only 6 of the British airplanes were enough for 80 German airplanes. The air raid consisted of 80 German fighter planes which were chased out of Britain by 6 of Royal Air Force fighters assisted by anti-aircraft guns. Whole battle lasted only 30 minutes, where Germans lost 15 of their planes while British only one. The damage caused to Britain was 1/5 of what Germany suffered. Germany has already lost some 318 of their fighter planes trying to capture Great Britain. In fact, they have lost 244 planes beginning 10th June. As an average they are losing almost 6 fighters daily.

2. Italian air force dropped some 280 bombs on a British naval warship near Mediterranean sea but not a single bomb hit the target. Actually, because of high tides and waves, warship was almost covered causing zero visibility to enemy thus they could not target it properly. We didn't suffer any damage. In between, one of Royal air force fighter chased enemy planes out of the area.

In India:-

Preparations are on full swing. Indian air force is expanding and similarly army and naval forces are also increasing. We are manufacturing ammunition and other war equipment rapidly.

People from every caste and society are collecting funds for war assistance.

Organizations like civic guards are performing their duty impressively for the defense of the country.

In Jodhpur:-

A message to general public of Marwar by Chief Minister Saheb Shri Lt. Col. D. M. Field:

"Shri Jodhpur Darbar Saheb has offered all the state resources to His Highness the Emperor and adviced the general public of state to face the difficult situation with confidence in unity and peace.

Shri Darbar Saheb advice general public to beware of rumors, warn of those people who spread fear and panic in society by word or their deeds.

Shri Darbar Saheb has firm belief that his fellow men will go beyond their ancestors loyalty and follow him."

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