On this date in History, 1943 image. The guys on the carrier do not look too happy with photographer

[irisblue]

Link to tweet

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Interesting photo. Not sure why you posted it. n/t

[irisblue]

2. Cause I find the idea that guys from India fighting for the Brits

At the same time of the Bengal famine, which Churchill was in part responsible for, in Italy a social/ cultural paradox.

Also I enjoyed their facial expressions Peggy, why did you ask?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. I appreciate your answer, which expanded my knowledge of the incident.

Mainly I asked because I'm curious.

I enjoyed their facial expressions too.

[irisblue]

8. Did you know about the Bengal Famine of 1943?

It's wiki...."An estimated 2.1–3 million,[A] out of a population of 60.3 million, died of starvation, malaria, and other diseases aggravated by malnutrition, population displacement, unsanitary conditions and lack of health care. Millions were impoverished as the crisis overwhelmed large segments of the economy and catastrophically disrupted the social fabric. Eventually, families disintegrated; men sold their small farms and left home to look for work or to join the British Indian Army, and women and children became homeless migrants, often travelling to Calcutta or other large cities in search of organised relief.[8] Historians usually characterise the famine as anthropogenic (man-made),[9] asserting that wartime colonial policies created and then exacerbated the crisis. A minority view exists, however, that holds that the famine was the result of natural causes.[10]"

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/4/1/churchills-policies-to-blame-for-1943-bengal-famine-study

Snip-"The study, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, provided scientific backing for arguments that Churchill’s policies played a significant role in contributing to the 1943 catastrophe.



To be honest I have no memory of learning about it in high school or in college. My formal education was very American & Eurocentric. I started looking up to learn more about Churchill after the movie 'Darkest Hour' in 2017. I was astounded in learning more about his actions.
We so often here in the US only see & know his Boer war history, and his WW2 in Europe and bits of the British Navy in the Pacific theater.

Many of my heroes have feet of clay.

[Karadeniz]

6. These may be the Gerkas. The British are intensely proud of them and they're proud of themselves!

[appalachiablue]

7. Gurkhas are badass fighters, but the men in this photo are Punjabi.

Gurkhas.

[COLGATE4]

11. There's a saying in the British Army

that a man who tells you he's not afraid of death is either a liar or a Gurka. These troops are totally fearless. A Gurka recipient of the Victoria Cross (equivalent to the Congressional Medal of Honor) fought Japanese troops alone for more than 26 hours, most of that time shooting them with his bolt action Lee Enfield rifle with one of his arms blown off. He said that when he ran out of ammunition he just used his Kukri knife (for which they are famous). When he was finally relieved they found he had killed 43 Japanese soldiers.

[appalachiablue]

12. Their reputation as fighters is well deserved. The WWII Gurkha

who fought the Japanese was exceptionally strong, what a record of action.

[msongs]

3. maybe he was hoping for a sherman tank instead of a go cart lol nt

[ShazzieB]

4. I was looking for a ship (aircraft carrier) myself! 😆

It is an interesting pic, though, no question.

[irisblue]

10. ! I now see your point, I was limited in the title line

In my wussy defense.

[appalachiablue]

9. The turbaned troops are Sikhs and the tank is labeled 'Punjab.'

Cool photo, thanks for posting.