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The Indian Contingent: The Forgotten Muslim Soldiers of Dunkirk (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780750993791)
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Ghee Bowman
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Books
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Description
x'An incredible and important story, finally being told' Mishal Husain
On 28 May 1940, Major Akbar Khan marched at the head of 299 soldiers along a beach in northern France. They were the only Indians in the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk. With Stuka sirens wailing, shells falling in the water and Tommies lining up to be evacuated, these soldiers of the British Indian Army, carrying their disabled imam, found their way to the East Mole and embarked for England in the dead of night. On reaching Dover, they borrowed brass trays and started playing Punjabi folk music, upon which even 'many British spectators joined in the dance'.
What journey had brought these men to Europe? What became of them - and of comrades captured by the Germans? With the engaging style of a true storyteller, Ghee Bowman reveals in full, for the first time, the astonishing story of the Indian Contingent, from their arrival in France on 26 December 1939 to their return to an India on the verge of partition. It is one of the war's hidden stories that casts fresh light on Britain and its empire.
Author: Ghee Bowman
ISBN-10: 0750993790
ISBN-13: 9780750993791
Publisher: History Press
Language: English
Published: 05/21/2020
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.35lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.10w x 1.20d
On 28 May 1940, Major Akbar Khan marched at the head of 299 soldiers along a beach in northern France. They were the only Indians in the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk. With Stuka sirens wailing, shells falling in the water and Tommies lining up to be evacuated, these soldiers of the British Indian Army, carrying their disabled imam, found their way to the East Mole and embarked for England in the dead of night. On reaching Dover, they borrowed brass trays and started playing Punjabi folk music, upon which even 'many British spectators joined in the dance'.
What journey had brought these men to Europe? What became of them - and of comrades captured by the Germans? With the engaging style of a true storyteller, Ghee Bowman reveals in full, for the first time, the astonishing story of the Indian Contingent, from their arrival in France on 26 December 1939 to their return to an India on the verge of partition. It is one of the war's hidden stories that casts fresh light on Britain and its empire.
Author: Ghee Bowman
ISBN-10: 0750993790
ISBN-13: 9780750993791
Publisher: History Press
Language: English
Published: 05/21/2020
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.35lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.10w x 1.20d
By Ghee Bowman
xGhee Bowman has a PhD from the University of Exeter. His interest in the little-known Indian presence at Dunkirk started him on a forensic journey of research that has spanned five countries and hundreds of lives. THE INDIAN CONTINGENT is his first book and the culmination of five years' research. He is a seasoned public speaker and has given several talks on Force K6 of the British Indian Army. He lives in Exeter.
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