How some Indian National Army recruits in Singapore worked to undermine Japan during WWII

World War II spread from Europe to Asia December 1941 when Japan launched its own Blitzkrieg. This surprising move had an influence on the Indian freedom struggle.

Soon after Japan captured Singapore in February 1942, the Indian National Army was recruited from the thousands of Indian army men who had been part of the British-led Allied army defending Singapore and had become prisoners of war.

Supported by Japan, the goal of the Indian National Army was to free India of British rule.

Indian history textbooks are filled with stories of the Indian National Army. Less well known, though, is that there was an active anti-Japanese resistance embedded within the organisation. They believed that seeking Japan’s help for Indian independence was fraught with risk and tried to sabotage the movement from within. This took many forms.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose declared the establishment of Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad-Hind or the Provisional Government of Free India in 1943 at Singapore's Cathay Cinema.

This picture of that rally is courtesy the National Archives of Singapore. pic.twitter.com/ejxHk02pLj

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