An upcoming London exhibition titled “Beyond Burma: Forgotten Armies” at the National Army Museum aims to resurrect the overlooked but significant role of African and Indian troops during World War II in South Asia. These soldiers braved some of the most taxing conditions of the conflict, contributing to the efforts against Japanese forces, yet their sacrifices have largely been omitted from official historical narratives.
The exhibit showcases rare artifacts from Indian and African soldiers, highlighting their endeavors in the unforgiving jungles against Japanese forces in Burma (current-day Myanmar). It should be recalled that approximately 80,000 soldiers from British colonies, including nations such as the Gambia, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, moved from West Africa to South Asia. Initially, they joined the ranks of the renowned 14th Army, with Nigerians making up over half of the West African soldiers deployed to South-east Asia post-1943 as elements of the British army’s 81st and 82nd (West Africa) Divisions. Despite their sizable contribution, General William Slim, the allied commander, did not acknowledge the African soldiers in his address thanking the 14th Army. Comprising 340,000 Indian soldiers, 100,000 British soldiers, and 80,000 African soldiers by the close of 1945, the 14th Army was predominantly an Indian force.
Within the United Kingdom, the South Asia campaigns were relegated to the status of the “forgotten army” as focus shifted to the Nazi threat sweeping across Europe. The “Beyond Burma” exhibition, opening on September 16, will include medals and bravery decorations awarded to Indian and African soldiers, alongside photographs and artistic representations. It aims to emphasize the reality of jungle warfare, highlighting the eventual victory and the post-war efforts in South-east Asia during the 1940s.
The unexpected terrain of the jungle significantly impacted all soldiers involved in the conflict, inspiring works of art such as “And The World Was Covered in Darkness 1943” by Major Conrad “Dick” Richardson, which portrays the dense environment. The exhibition provides a broader view of the conflict, which extended beyond Burma to India, Indonesia, and Vietnam and lasted until Burma’s independence in 1948. The showcase aims to illustrate the extensive involvement of Indian-African soldiers, traditionally overshadowed by the compact images of British returnees and prisoners of war.
Documentary filmmaker Griff Rhys Jones, whose father led Ghanaian troops, and playwright Biyi Bandele, with his novel “Burma Boy,” have contributed to the growing efforts to restore balance to the historical record. Around the 70th anniversary of VJ Day, a concerted effort captured the narratives of surviving African soldiers, revealing their struggles, including mistreatment and positive interactions with African American soldiers post-Japanese surrender. The legacy of their service is encapsulated in the words of one soldier’s grandson: “I knew Nigerians fought, but it was so distant I couldn’t place how it affected me as a Nigerian.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/aug/14/london-museum-african-indian-troops-world-war-two-beyond-burma-forgotten-armies
