Description
Physical description
rectangular badge in printed cloth (H 5cm x W 5.5cm) with a yellow five-pointed star on a patch divided horizontally, top half red, bottom half blue; note khaki material on the reverse.
History note
Second World War Indian Army higher formation badge for General Headquarters India (GHQ India). Blue and red were the GHQ colours and the star is the emblem of India.
GHQ was located in Delhi under the Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) India who commanded all British and Indian personnel of all three armed forces. The C-in-C was also the defence member on the Viceroy's Council and responsible for the Defence Department (renamed War Department in June 1942) as well as the three army commands of Northern, Eastern and Southern and Western Independent District. In April 1942 the then C-in-C, General Sir Archibald Wavell, reorganised this peacetime structure as it was no longer suitable. Thus, Central Command was set up together with the three new armies: North Western, Eastern and Southern.
During the first two years of the war in the Far East, GHQ India was responsible for operations in Burma and all related strategic concerns. In November 1943 these duties were transferred to Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten when he assumed command of the newly created South East Asia Command (SEAC). GHQ India was left responsible for defence of the North West Frontier, Internal Security, training and as a supply base.
In June 1943 General Sir Claude Auchinleck was appointed C-in-C India. He implemented the proposals of the recent Infantry Committee by setting up the training divisions and acknowledging the need for GHQ India to concentrate on jungle warfare. Auchinleck ensured that this was now the main focus for units, formations, reinforcements and training establishments throughout India. The training structure developed very quickly and by the end of 1943 India had developed a more comprehensive training organisation for jungle warfare than any other country at that time. The innovations instigated by Auckinleck and GHQ India undoubtedly played an essential role in the defeat of the Japanese Army in the Burma campaign 1944-45.