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India WW2 Events Timeline
As part of the British Commonwealth, India played an oft-unsung role in the dismantling of the Third Reich.
Total Events: 23
1940
Friday
December 6th - December 8th |
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The Western Desert Force in Egypt, under the command of Major-General Richard O'Connor, set up pre-assault positions. The force includes 36,000 total men from the 7th Armored Division, 4th Indian Division and the New Zealand Division. They set up their initial position southeast of the Italian fort at Nibeiwa. |
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Operation Compass is officially launched. |
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The British 7th Tank Regiment, along with the 4th Indian Division, attack Italian positions at Tummar West and Nibeiwa. |
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The Japanese aircraft carrier Ryujo enters the Bay of Bengal. |
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No fewer than five Japanese Navy aircraft carriers reach the Indian Ocean. |
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Admiral Sir James Somerville detaches a force to intercept the arriving Japanese fleet. |
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A small contingent of British Royal Navy vessels operating in the Indian Ocean are warned of the arriving Japanese Navy force. |
1944
Tuesday
January 11th |
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The first major Allied offensive to take Cassino is launched. |
1944
Friday
February 11th |
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US and Indian losses mount in the offensives against German positions in Calvario, the town of Cassino and Monte Cassino itself. |
1944
Friday
February 11th |
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The 4th Indian Division reports unacceptably high casualties when coming up against the stout German defenders. |
1944
Friday
February 11th |
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A blanket retreat is enacted by the Allies in an attempt to regroup and plan a new strategy to take Cassino. |
1944
Tuesday
February 15th |
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Following the Allied aerial bombardment, the second major Allied offensive to take Cassino is launched. |
1944
Tuesday
February 15th - February 18th |
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The 4th Indian Division is charged with taking both Monte Calvario and Monastary Hill. |
1944
Tuesday
February 15th - February 18th |
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The 4th Indian Division assault is repelled and driven away, suffering high casualties. |
1944
Saturday
February 19th - March 13th |
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The Italian winter makes its arrival and postpones any further Allied offensives for the next month. |
1944
Wednesday
March 15th - March 21st |
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Against mounting casualties but with tank support, the 4th Indian Division gains ground. |
1944
Wednesday
March 15th |
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Artillery guns open up on Cassino while 600-plus Allied bombers attempt to shake the German defenders. |
1944
Wednesday
March 15th - March 21st |
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Positions on Monte Cassino are officially in Allied hands. |
1944
Wednesday
March 15th |
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A third major Allied offensive is put into action. |
1944
Wednesday
March 22nd |
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With mounting losses in both manpower and tanks, further Allied thrusts are called off. |
1944
Thursday
March 23rd - May 10th |
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A lengthy six-week period allows the Allies to rebuild their forces - though this period allows the Germans to increase their defensive foothold. |
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The fourth offensive to take Cassino is put into action. |
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Monte Cassino falls to the Allies, costing some 50,000 casualties along both sides of the battlefield. |
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| All Events By Day of the Week |
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