A special force, also called Long Range Penetration Group, was formed of hand-picked troops specially trained and equipped to operate well behind the Japanese lines in Burma.
In 1943-44, this special force performed spectacular feats of endurance, bravery and ingenuity, though at a cost which many experienced commanders considered unduly high.
The recruitment system was rationalized, and the needs of the three services were fully coordinated. Difficulties which had arisen, by the use of Punjabi instructors for training recruits from south India, were gradually overcome.
On Oct 1, 1945, the total strength of the army in India and overseas was 2,644,323 including 240,613 men of the British Army stationed in India.
During the war years, all classes and territories in India contributed, towards recruitment, for the armed forces, a total of 2,581,726 men. Of these, the army absorbed 2,499,909 and the navy and air force had 28,972 and 52,845 men respectively.
The war accelerated the pace of Indianization. When all avenues of feeding the army in India with British officers had been closed, owing to the needs of the British Army itself, extensive recruitment in India to the officer ranks was resorted to. From about 1,500 officers in 1939, the number rose to about 15,000 in 1945.
