Conclusion
Since the first enlistment in 1815 into the East Indian Company, the Gurkhas have formed a unique fighting force of the British Empire. By the time of WW-2, the native Indian units adopted the Indianisation rapidly, but the policy towards the Gurkhas remained unchanged, and they continued to fight as a unique organization throughout the war. The recruitment system of the men and officers of the Gurkha units was separate from the British and Indians, and their motives behind the fighting power were different. The third force of the British Raj, research has demonstrated that the Gurkhas were the first choice of authorities, both on the front line, and importantly, acted as an alternative to British force for the policy of internal security during the inter-war period, and beyond the war. The reputation of the Gurkhas as fine fighting imperial soldiers and their unquestioned loyalty was at risk, in many situations during the initial stages of the war. After the fall of Singapore, the Gurkha’s loyalty to the British was tested by the enemy, by proposing to join the INA. It was not a political reason to defect, the Japanese provided, but the comfort of life was ensured upon joining. However, the Japanese failed to lure them. The fighting ability itself came to question, with the operational failure of the First Chindits, but again, prior criticisms have been proven inadequate, as the Second Chindits, and further operations prove. Instead; many years of practice of irregular warfare in the Northwest Frontier during the inter-war period resulted in the Gurkhas’ quick adoption in the evolving warfare of the world.
Despite the successful campaigns in the Middle East, senior officers harbored prejudices toward the reputation of the Indian Army. The Gurkha’s successful mountainous operation in North Africa finally forced the senior commanders to revise the opinions that ensured they take the credit for many important battles of the Gurkhas as mountainous fighters in Italy and beyond.
In the Far East, the series of humiliating defeats from Singapore to Burma initially proved the Gurkhas to be inferior to the Japanese in jungle warfare. The reformation of 1943 provided practical, sound training in jungle warfare which ensured the Gurkha’s superiority and galvanized them as a superman of the jungle against the Japanese and in every aspect of soldiering. Once a loyal and brave imperial soldier of the British Raj, the Gurkhas continued to show the previously acclaimed reputation as a superb fighting soldiers throughout the war.
Research has shown, that the Second World War provided an opportunity to re-assess the reputation of the Gurkhas. The performance and bravery of an individual are judged by the award presented to them. The Gurkha brigade won fourteen Victoria Crosses solely in this war. On this international stage of the war, the fighting prowess performed by the Gurkhas expanded their reputation further than the British Raj; notably in North America. Most literature, regarding the Gurkhas, contains stories published by former Gurkha officers, remembering their time of adventure. Few scholarly works have been established. Most are tremendously generalized. With most of the research having been conducted to provide a primary historical record of ‘what Gurkhas did during the war (nothing more) however, research must look further into the rationale of the fighting spirit if one must understand the imperial soldier, the Gurkhas.
Sanju Gurung
Appendix
Indian Infantry WW-2
Section: 8 men commanded by 1 NCO
Platoon: 3 Secs (30 men), commanded by a Lt or a VCO
Company: 3 Plats (100 men), commanded by a Maj or a Capt
Battalion: 5 Cos (+/-850 Men), commanded by a LCol
Brigade: 3 Bns (2 Indian, 1 British) 2500 men, commanded by a BGen
Division: 3 Brigades, 14.000 Men, commanded by a MGen
Corps: 2 or 3 Divs, plus armor and artillery, commanded by a LGen
Army: 2 to 4 Corps commanded by a LGen or full general
Glossary
Terms and Abbreviations
Galla-Walla: Ex-Gurkha NCO, working as a recruiter in Nepal
Bharti: To join the army
Rana: Ruling class of Nepal during the WW-2
Maharaja: Prime-minister
Dashain: A major festival celebrated by Gurkhas (Christmas)
Laure: A popular term used in Nepal, to Gurkhas who are serving, or have served in the British Indian Army, and still refers to Gurkhas as a Laure
Bahaduri: Bravery award
Panipatya: Water purification ceremony in Hindu religion
H-Hour: The exact time, when the initial co-ordinated attacks start on the enemy
Mullah: Local Islamic cleric or mosque leader
Tehsil: An administrative division of some South Asian countries used by the British Raj
Line boys: Children of Gurkhas, living and raised in regimental family quarters
Naik: Corporal equivalent
Havildar: Sergeant equivalent
Jemadar: Lieutenant equivalent, but, was considered junior to lieutenant, no matter the length of service
Subedar. Captain equivalent, but, was considered junior to Captain, no matter the length of service
NCO: Non-Commissioned Officer
CO: Commanding Officer
ECO: Emergency Commissioned Officer
VCO: Viceroy Commissioned Officer
NWF: Northwest Frontier
IOM: Indian Order of Merit
VC: Victoria Cross
INA: Indian National Army
TEWT: Tactical Exercise Without Troops
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