From the tumultuous backdrop of Singapore in 1942, emerges the extraordinary tale of Captain Mohan Singh of the 14 Punjab Regiment and the Indian National Army (INA). As the pioneering leader of the INA, Singh’s bold alliance with Japan aimed to free India from British rule but soon faced treacherous challenges. In chronicling the harrowing trials of INA soldiers enduring starvation and sickness in Burma, this tale unveils a lesser-known chapter of history. Hazarika masterfully follows the INA’s journey from a “Paper Tiger” in combat to a “Propaganda Lion” hastening India?s independence, highlighting Subhash Chandra Bose’s pivotal rise to leadership along the way.
This is the story of Lieutenant MM Pillai?s daring escape from Singapore. Of the grim fate of POWs like Warrant Officer John Baptist Crasta, one of 17,000 Indian prisoners of war sent to hard labour camps in the Pacific. Of the war crimes trials held by the Australians for Japanese atrocities against these POWs. Of the wives waiting for years with little news of their soldier husbands.