INDIA'S EFFORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24450, 8 November 1940, Page 8

INDIA'S EFFORT

EXPANSION OF FORCES ONE MILLION JOIN COLOURS 1 •■■" V ... — : LARGE NUMBER OVERSEAS; (British Official Wireless)". .(United Press Association) . (By.Eieictric telegraph—Copyright) . RUGBY, Nov. 6. (Received Nov. 7, at 7.30 p.m.) The rapid developments in India's war effort and the measures taken for further expansion of-the' fighting services were discussed ifra speech by the finance member of the Viceroy's Council at the opening of the sessiOh : o{. the Legislative Assembly . in Delhiy/ =?" Sir Jeremy Raisman indicated that over:60,000 Indian troops were already overseas assisting in the defence of'lndia's outer bastions. More than 1,000,000 men had joined the colours* a large proportion of whom were 'already fully armed. The Government was engaged in providing as'a first', step an army bordering on ..500,000 men of all arms: Schools -for advanced training in all branches 6f military knowledge and the use""of new weapons required by modern armies had been vastly increased and facilities for training and equipping the men were con-stantiy-beirjrg multiplied. Dealing with the development of India's'capacity ttimeet the material requirements, of the new forces. Sir Jeremy Raisman said: that hundreds of tons of armoured-plate would shortly be manufactured every month in India and for: the first time 3000 armoured vehicles were expected to be: produced next year. India was now able to produce more than she required of many classes of munitions and war materials. Among the orders received from Britain, which keep expanding, were 100,000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, 400,000 cordite detona T tors, as well as millions of items of military clothing and equipment. After dealing with the Royal Indian Navy, Sir Jeremy said that the scheme for training 300 pilots and 2000 mechanics for an air force reserve was being advanced, and the school for. officers recently opened provides training for 50 officers at a time. The enlargement of aerodromes to accommodate most types of modern aircraft was proceeding and buildings for the use of squadrons equipped with such aeroplanes had been ■ constructed. It was . intended to proceed with a scheme for ;estabHshing". aeroplane factories in India as soon <as the.'.necessary plant .andimateriar.were available.