Official History of the Indian Armed Forces in the Second World War 1939-45: Campaign in Western Asia
Contents: Foreword. Introduction. I. Iraq: 1. Historical background. 2. Physical features. 3. Communications and economic resources. 4. Pre-war defence plans. 5. Defence plans (1939-June 1940). 6. Defence plans (July 1940-April 1941). 7. The developments in Iraq-1941. 8. Plans for an opposed landing. 9. Battle of Habbaniya. 10. Defence of the Basra Shuaiba area. 11. Advance of Kingcol to Falluja. 12. Axis intervention. 13. Advance on Baghdad. 14. Iraq as an operational base. 15. Initial plans to meet Axis threat. 16. Planning in India, Iraq and the middle east. 17. Problems connected with the threat to Caucasia. 18. Mosul and Baghdad Defences. 19. Plan wonderful. 20. Formation of a new command. II. Syria: 21. Physical features and historical survey. 22. The plan for the invasion. 23. Capture of Sheikh Meskine. 24. Capture of Kissoue. 25. Vichy counter-attacks. 26. Capture of Mezze. 27. Capture of Palmyra. 28. Plan for the attack on Deir Ez Zor. 29. Capture of Deir ez zor. 30. Vichy counter attack on Raqqa. 31. Advance to tell Aalo. 32. Capture of Hassetche. 33. Geographical survey. 34. Historical background. 35. Military resources and organization. 36. Events leading to the action. 37. The allied plans. 38. Abadan. 39. Qasr Shaikh. 40. West Iran operations. III. Paiforce: 41. Paiforce and its plans. 42. Plan Gherkin. 43. British projects. 44. American Projects. 45. Development of ports. 46. Development of roads and Railways. 47. Inland water transport. 48. Bases and lines of communication. 49. Supply. Appendices. 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)
