Indian Army during World War I
The Indian Army, also called the British Indian Army, was involved in World War I as part of the British Empire. More than one million Indian troops served overseas, of whom more than 60,000 died during the war.
| Indian Army | |
|---|---|
| Indian bicycle troops at Battle of the Somme | |
| Active | 1895–1947 |
| Country | India |
| Allegiance | British Empire |
| Type | Army |
| Size | 1,780,000 |
| Engagements | Second Boer War British expedition to Tibet World War I Waziristan campaign (1919–20) Waziristan campaign (1936–39) World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener |
In World War I the Indian Army fought against the German Empire on the Western Front. At the First Battle of Ypres, Khudadad Khan became the first Indian to be awarded a Victoria Cross. Indian divisions were also sent to Egypt, Gallipoli, German East Africa and nearly 700,000 served in Mesopotamia against the Ottoman Empire. While some divisions were sent overseas others had to remain in India guarding the North West Frontier and on internal security and training duties.
Field-Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from 1942 asserted that the British "couldn't have come through both World War I and II if they hadn't had the Indian Army."