India in action: a collection of pictures by Anthony Gross

with them well forward. W e had an excellent curry on the hilltop. All the ingredients—goat, vegetables, and chillies and spices were taken from under the noses of the Japs in their own village. Orders to patrol before leaving: "If you can't bring back information, at least bring back ingredients for a curry." View taken looking S.S.E. on to Mayu River and the plain of Rathedaung, due south would be Akyab island. LD3171. "BATTLE O F ARAKAN." Gunners pinpointing Japanese posi- tions on Dombaik Battlefield. Scene drawn from "Twin Nobs." "Twin Nobs" was our most advanced position, a hill jutting out into Jap territory. So called as it was a hill with two little peaks on it. This drawing was done from one of the "Nobs." The Chaung (a creek in centre distance) was the key Jap position that prevented us taking the Mayu Peninsula, Small specks to the right of the creek are our dead, Inniskilling Fusiliers and Punjabis, left on the battlefield (18th Feb.). Th e wood by the edge of the sea to left of creek is feature called "the village" occupied by Japs. Dombaik itself would be a mile south of this wood. Shells are bursting on Jap positions. Picture is drawn looking west. LD3169. "CHINS A T WAR . " Chin coolie women gathering in supplies dropped by parachute. LD3168. "CHINS A T WAR . " Village headman and levies in ceremonial dress. LD3332. "BATTLE O F ARAKAN. " Dogras (position behind "Twin Nobs"). This position may be only a few yards from the Japs. All talking is done in whispers. This is dense bamboo jungle. LD3336. "BATTLE OF ARAKAN." Mule lines and Signals of the Innis- killing Fusiliers. LD3194. 4th Indian Division. The canteen group comprising Gurkhas, Rajputanas, fats, Sikhs and Essex Regiment. LD3179. Gr o u p - 4 t h Indian Division, and the mascot, comprising Gurkhas, Pun jabi-Mussulmans. Dogras. Madrasis, Sikhs, Pathans and Royal Sussex. LD3195. Brigadier Lovett, D.S.O. Major-General F. I. S. Tuker, C.B.J. D.S.O., O.B.E. Brigadier R . Bateman, D.S.O., O.B.E. Brigadier K. H. Dimoline, D.S.O., M.B.E. LD3178. Subedar-Major Dall Singh. Subedar-Major Na r Báhadan Gurung, O.B.I. Regimental Sgt.-.Major H . F. Phillips of the Royal Sussex. LD3176. Subedar Lalbahadur Thapa, V.C., 4th Indian Division. LD3196. Subedar-Major Narain Singh, O.B.I. Subedar-Major Argandhar. Regimental Sgt.-Major Rose of the Essex Regiment (4th Indian Division). LD3335. "BATTLE O F ARAKAN. " The Commanding Officer and his Battalion Headquarters overlooking the plain of Rathedaung (from feature "Italy") 6th Rajputana Rifles. LD3163. "BATTLE OF ARAKAN." Command Post. LD2360. LD3331. Sikhs attending a class (11th Sikh Regiment). "CHINS A T WAR . " Levies from Tonychang Village (Kamhaus tribe). The Chin levies are divided into two groups. The "A" levies are raw village levies such as these. The others are ex-Burma Rifles. Each village produces a certain number of fighters according to its size and elects its own village section or platoon leader out of their own numbers. They are all hunters by nature, know all the paths through the hills, and no Jap patrol can hope to remain unseen once they enter the hills: their job is to scout, keep contact with the enemy till the main forces join them, or do battle if the enemy is in small numbers. They have achieved some notable successes. Wh e n I asked them why they were fighting the Japs they said, " W e don't want the Japanese in our villages. " Each company comes under a British officer. The levies were con- ceived and organised by some remarkably adventurous Englishmen. Some were refugees from Burma.—others regular soldiers. The "A" levies are armed with most antiquated weapons, flint-locks and powder horns. LD2358, 6th Gurkha Regiment. LD3173. "BATTLE OF ARAKAN. " Wounded Jap and Arakanese prisoners in Main Dressing Station. Main Dressing Station behind Dombaik front. Note the ward. One side of the ward is dug down for protection against bombs, the other is left level with ground, for when it rains the other side will fill with water. The roof and sides are of bamboo and thatch. The guard was watching his Jap like a cat watching a mouse. LD3162. "BATTLE O F ARAKAN. " Jammu State Mountain Battery in position on approaches to Launychaung. LD3155. "CHINS A T WAR . " Capt. Braund and his levies (Kamhaus tribe).