Official History of the Indian Armed Forces in the Second World War 1939-45: Campaign in the Eastern Theatre : The Arakan Operations 1942-45

Contents: Introduction. 1. The land and its people. 2. Planning for the offensive. 3. The start of the offensive. 4. The Japanese counter measures. 5. The Japanese advance Northwards. 6. The third phase. 7. The Fourth phase. 8. The Monsoon operations-1943. 9. Plans for the cold weather offensive. 10. The Japanese counter-offensive. 11. The allies resume the offensive. 12. The Monsoon period-1944. 13. Allied planning for the post-Monsoon operations-1944. 14. Operation Romulus. 15. The advance begins. 16. Operation Talon. 17. Blockade operations. 18. The Myebon landing. 19. The Kangaw battle. 20. The invasion of Ramree island. 21. The final phases in Arakan. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.

At the end of the Second World War, a Historical Section was set up, under the Ministry of Defence, to write a detailed history of war, with particular reference to the operations conducted by the Armed Forces of undivided India. After the partition of the country in 1947, this section continued as a joint organization of India and Pakistan and was designated as the Combined Inter Services Historical Section (India and Pakistan). The CIS Historical Section compiled 25 volumes until it was wound up in 1963.

Meanwhile, a separate section called historical section (India) was set up in 1953 for compiling the history of post-partition military operations of the Indian Armed Forces. This section was also meant to supply information on military history and allied subjects to the Ministry and the three Services headquarters. Subsequently a heraldic cell was created within the Section to advise the Ministry and the Armed Forces on Ceremonial matters.

Since its inception in 1953, the Historical Section has brought out fifteen publications. In view of the growing responsibility of the section, it was redesignated as the history division on April 1, 1992.

The History Division also serves as a record, research and reference office of the Ministry of Defence and three Services Headquarters. Officers of the Indian Armed Forces and research scholars often visit the Division to consult records of military importance. The division also assists various units of Armed Forces in compiling their histories. (jacket)