The Indian Army of 1935 has a reputation of close to 80 years of victorious campaigns from the 19th and early 20th Century. Their victory over the British in 1856/57 was the birth of the modern Indian Army but it was the decision by Raj Askora III to bring German advisors into the Empire the decision that shaped this force; making it a somewhat copy of the German Army. At the same time the Army have limited experience in both the war with the Netherlands and with SALSA but the experience they acquired fighting Saudi troops and their advisors in Asir was the one that made the decisions in regard to motorization of Field Marshall Johinder Sin Bahadur during the late 1920ýs and early 1930ýs seem as a stroke of genius.
In India, all able-bodied men between the ages of 17 and 45, were liable for military service. Some men working in professions considered more important than military service are considered exempt, with their service being performed doing that professions. The Indian Army is based in the German model but with certain differences. For example has three classifications instead the four classifications of German military service; Active, Reserve and the so-called ýNational Cadreý that takes the place of the German Landwehr and Landsturm. Following the German model at the age of 17, a man might be called up to serve in the National Cadre for a period of three years, learning the ropes for his future military service in the active branches. In peace, it was mandatory to serve in the Army upon a man's 20th birthday. A 2-year period of Active service then began, or 3 years in the cavalry, field artillery or the Armored Corps. After that time, a man would be liable to serve the next 4 to 5 years in the Reserve, usually a 2-week training period each year. Serving in the Reserve during peacetime was generally regarded as a vacation from home and work. After the Reserve period, a man was then liable to serve in the National Cadre for the next 18 years. After the age of 45, a man was then free from further military service. It was only in times of war that the National Cadre was recalled.
The basic military unit of the Indian Army was the infantry regiment; some using borrowed names of German lexicon like Fusilier, Musketeer, and Grenadier. Regiments were traditionally raised and maintained at the local level. Some large cities and towns could muster an entire regiment, while some rural areas would be responsible for raising a company or battalion for the regiment associated with the region. This system was integrated into the social structure of the country. It was a very complex but highly organized system. After a man served in an Active regiment, he would then serve in a Reserve regiment that was made up mostly with past members of his previous regiment. National Cadre units were organized on a similar basis. During times of peace, the military service time was very much like social club. One could serve the entire 22 years required by the army along side one's family, friends and neighbors. This system formed very strong bonds of loyalty within the regiment, and this system worked very well in times of peace.
The various types of regiments were organized into divisions, field forces, and army groups. The vast majority of the military machine was based on marching armies and horse/oxen drawn artillery, with horse/oxen/elephant drawn supply trains. By 1935, the Indian Army was organized into established Army Field Forces, most of which were commanded by the Imperial Army. The Imperial Army also maintained the Armored Corps; the name given to the armored units expected to support the infantry divisions at the Field Force level.
The development of the railroad networks in the subcontinent during the last 50 years have allowed armies to be deployed, reinforced and supplied with unprecedented speed compared to the last century. But once on the battlefield, the armies could maneuver no faster than those of the glory days of the Mughal Empire. By 1935 the army was composed by 60 infantry divisions, the Camel Corps (4 brigades) and 12 Cavalry Brigades plus other support units like tank, artillery and headquarters units at the Field Force level. While by this time the Indian industries were capable of supplying the nation with all the small weapons deemed necessary mechanization was a complete new problem altogether. 2/3 of the infantry divisions and the cavalry brigades were organized like German Great War units but twenty divisions were being transformed into triangular divisions also following a German Model.
1935 Forces Organization:
The Infantry Division has a strength of 21,800 men, but with communications, heavy artillery and other support units being at the Field Force level. It is organized as follows:
4 Rifle Regiments (18 x HMG, 12 x 81mm mortars)
1 Bicycle Company or Cavalry Squadron (depending of terrain)
1 Artillery Brigade (54x 75mm field guns, 12x 105mm howitzers)
Headquarters and Rear Service units
The Mountain Division were exactly the same except the artillery was lighter and the recon forces being troopers trained for high altitude fighting.
The Infantry Division (new design) is based in the German 1931 (1) organization but contrary to the German Army in 1931 the forces have their allotted TO&E.
The Cavalry Brigade has a strength of 6,000 men and consists of the following:
2 Cavalry Regiments of 5 Squadrons per Regiment
1 Cavalry Artillery Battalion (12 x 75mm guns)
Headquarters and Rear Service Units
The Camel Corps Brigade has a strength of 6,000 men, being organized similar to the cavalry brigades, and consists of the following:
2 Camel Cavalry Regiments of 5 Squadrons per Regiment
1 Camel hauled Artillery Battalion (12 x 75mm guns)
Headquarters and Rear Service Units
The Field Force has a strength of 72,000 men with logistics, heavy artillery and techincal support units being at this level. Itýs organized as follows:
2 Infantry Divisions
1 Pioneer Regiment
2 Cavalry Brigades
1 Heavy Artillery Regiment (24 x 150mm howitzers, 12 x 210mm howitzers)
1 Tank Battalion
1 Motorized Infantry Regiment
Headquarters and Service Units.
(1) Please check the German Army for the organization of this new divisions. Twenty divisions are already using this new organization. They are expected to be the first ones to be deployed out of the country in case of war.
This post has been edited 4 times, last edit by "perdedor99" (Dec 11th 2007, 1:52pm)