India in action: a collection of pictures by Anthony Gross

The rest of the pictures were painted in the Middle East some during the Battle of Alamein last year, or others on my way back from India. Those representing scenes of wounded [LD2128 and LD27221, and Indians guarding Italian prisoners, during the battle itself. Some more were done elsewhere in that Command. Those of the Fourth Indian Division have only just been completed. Here. Major-General Tuker [LD3195], an artist himself, showed the greatest under- standing in the problems of my work. His remark, "I have often asked for a wa r artist to come and paint us, I can't very well run a division, fight with it, and paint it, all a t the same time." He took a lively interest in choosing the finest types of Indians and arranging for facilities to paint them in his quarters in the desert. There is Lalbahadur Thapa, the Gurkha V.C. [LD3176], and then drawings of Punjabis, Rajputs, Sikhs, Dogras, Madrasis, Jats [LD3178 and LD3179], and British troops, who have all distinguished themselves in recent campaigns. I take this opportunity of thanking him and many others in the Indian Army, great and small, for all the help they gave me in India, Burma and the Middle East. CATALOGUE OF PICTURES ~m LD2359. Indian Signal Corps. Some Madrasis and Gujaratis. LD3161. "BATTLE O F ARAKAN. " Japanese positions at Rathedaung. Showing: 'Shaving Brush" tree on Hill N75, "Funny" tree and the Temple on "South Twin." LD3339. "CHINS A T WAR . " Angami Nagas (nr. Kohirna). Village headman and his family in ceremonial dress. North of the Chins (and Kukis) come the Nagas, translation—Naked Men— a term they do not use to describe themselves. They call themselves by the name of their actual tribe). Under his cloak the Naga is naked. Note—it is the eldest son who is wearing ceremonial dress. The old man said, "I am too old to wear finery" and I gather that this is the general custom except for extra special occasions. Head-dress is made out of cane woven together, split bamboo sticks and feathers, gaiters out of woven cane. Sporran of short sticks with thread wound around and tassels at end. Knee bands out of telephone wire. Wr i s t band, etc., out of embroidered silk. Ear-rings out of balls of cotton wool, brass, rings, and birds' feathers mounted with gold. Man's bracelets are lengths of sawn-off elephant tusks. All the blankets and cloaks, dresses, etc., are homespun and woven. Big wooden "Horn" is a drinking horn in which they drink their "Zu " (rice beer). Mugs are made out of lengths of bamboo cut at the joints, and horns of animals. This extra large imitation horn is produced at "Zu " parties when an extra laugh is needed. Main tribes are the Angamis, Kognacs, Changs, Aos. They were head-hunters, and still are. Note—the daughter's hair is only beginning to grow long (as all the children's hair is shaven off). Later she will do it like her mother's. LD3199. "CHINS A T WAR . " Chin levies (ex Burma Rifles) at Stockade No . 2. After evacuating Burma many members of the Burma Rifles returned to their villages. These formed themselves into levies as soon as a start at organised resistance was made, and have been in the most advanced positions, fighting the Japs, ever since. Stockade No. 2 (bungalow in distance) is in "no-man's- land." This position at base of the hill is in constant contact with the enemy. LD3334. "BATTLE OF ARAKAN. " "Captured Parasol," on the Mayu River. 7th Rajput Regiment resting on South Hill which they have just captured. Overlooking the village of Laungchaung, where they have found a Japanese parasol (a geisha girl's?). The Japs are known to bring their dancing girls