Official History of the Indian Armed Forces in the Second World War 1939-45: The Reconquest of Burma: Vol. I: June 1942-June 1944

Contents: Foreword. Introduction. 1. The background physical and strategic. 2. Counter offensive plans March 1942 to December 1943. 3. Japanese activity on the Chindwin 1942-43. 4. Chin hills operations. 5. The Chindits. 6. Wingate’s early operations. 7. The Irrawaddy and beyond. 8. Withdrawal of the Chindits. 9. Clearing the decks for offensive action. 10. Preliminary operations: 15 November 1943 to 7 March 1944. 11. The storm breaks. 12. The struggle for Imphal. 13. The struggle for Imphal (contd.) 14. The siege and relief of Kohima. 15. The siege and relief of Kohima (contd.) 16. The special force operations-planning. 17. Special force enters Burma. 18. Operations around Indaw. 19. Special force moves North. 20. The end of special force operations. 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-Independence 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 responsibilities 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)