HC Deb 16 November 1944 vol 404 cc2150-1W
Mr. Thorne

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can give any information in connection with the Indian Army's campaign in Burma against the Japanese; and if he can make any estimate of the number of casualties that have been inflicted on the Japanese.

Mr. Amery

Although some two-thirds of the Forces engaged on the Burma Front are drawn from the Indian Army, British, West and East African, American and Chinese troops are also engaged. The Kachin and Chin levies, inhabitants of Burma, have also fought most loyally for us. For a general review of the campaign I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 28th September. The Indian Army has fought magnificently on this front and has proved itself more than a match for the Japanese in jungle warfare. The confirmed total of Japanese killed in the course of the Allied operations since 1st January exceeds 54,000. The actual total must be very much larger, as this figure does not include cases in which bodies have been buried or removed by the enemy or those who have died from disease or wounds.