Contribution of Bengalis in WW1

Since East India Company days, Bengalis were not recruited in the army for cogent political reasons and mistrust prevailing in the English mind. Further, Bengalis were unjustly labeled as “non-martial” race, and, as such, we find no Bengali Regiment in the Indian Army.

The First World War broke out on 28 July 1914. Britain joined the war on 4 August. Loyal leaders and feudal lords of India assured the British Government of the unflinching loyalty of the people in this grave moment; they also assured that it that they would render active and material help to the war effort. The following are some of the units that actively participated the WW1.

Bengal Ambulance Corps:  The ‘Bengal Ambulance Corps (BAC) Committee’ was sent to Mesopotamia, the cost of which was borne by the people of Bengal.   On 26 June, BAC started from Kolkata and reached Amara (Mesopotamia). BAC continued to render their medical service till 31 May 1916. Memnbers of BAC also did active duty in the battlefront. The work of the Corps was universally appreciated. On 5 September 1916, the Viceroy said, “The Bengal Stationary Hospital recently broken up rendered admirable service in Mesopotamia and its record there was one of which the promoters of the scheme may well be proud off.”

Chandannagar Volunteers: France decided to recruit soldiers from India in December 1915. A good number of young men came forward from Chandannagar, an ex-French colony in Bengal. Twenty-six young men were recruited, sent to Pondicherry for training, and then dispatched to France to serve in the army Here they were posted in different Artillery units. Bengali soldiers fought in different battle fields of France, Morocco and Tunisia. One of these volunteers received the Croix de Geurre for his outstanding performance in the army.

49th Bengalis: On the 7 August 1916, Government announced the raising of an infantry regiment for Bengalis. The first step in this process was the formation of the Bengali Double Company (BDC), popularly known as the Bangali Polton.  In March 1917, Government decided to upgrade the BDC to a regular infantry regiment, and it was officially formed at Karachi on 1st July 1917 as the ‘49th Bengal Infantry Regiment' and in short '49th Bengalis.’ Lt Col A L Barrett was posted as Commanding Officer.  The 49th Bengalis were sent to Mesopotamia for active service. The regiment was first sent to Aziziyeh, and then to KuK-el-Amara. On 29 October 1918, the regiment was ordered to move further backward to Tanuma, an extension of Basra city. 

In November, opposing parties signed the armistice and the war came to an end. As hostilities gradually drew to a close, soldiers recruited by the many regiments of the Indian Army for war service were discharged and sent home. Most war-raised units, including the 49th Bengalis, were disbanded. The demobilisation process of the 49th Bengalis was completed by the 31st August 1920, when the regiment ceased to exist.

The writer is a retired l Lt. Colonel.