‘World War II Told From An Indian Perspective’

NEW DELHI: Saving The World From Hitler is a handy little book of 119 pages, fast paced and easy to read with the focus on India’s role in World War II. The author R.Prasannan is Senior Coordinating Editor of The Week, a publication of the Malayala Manorama Group.

In this chat on Books Corner, Prasannan talks about why he preferred to write a book on this subject rather than something perhaps more contemporary. As a specialist on defence affairs, Prasannan is familiar with military matters and was able to draw from the vast archives and records of the United Service Institution, an army think tank.

The book provides fascinating insights into the conduct of the war and the role played by Indian officers who went on to lead the army post independence. Towards the close of the war in 1945, more than two million Indians were serving in the British Indian armed forces, at least 25,000 lost their lives during various stages of the war, 64,000 were wounded and 12,000 were never traced.

More in this conversation with R. Prasannan.