Indian Expeditionary Force I.E.F.

The Indian Expeditionary Force (I.E.F.) was a significant military unit raised by the British Indian Army during World War I, primarily to support the Allied powers. Composed largely of Indian soldiers, the I.E.F. played a crucial role in several key theatres of war, most notably in the Middle East and East Africa. The force played a vital role in campaigns such as the defence of the Suez Canal and the invasion of Mesopotamia, where Indian troops served with distinction under British command. The I.E.F. was a symbol of India’s contribution to the war effort, as the British sought to leverage the resources of their colonies to bolster the strength of the British Empire.

In 1914, the British Indian government issued a series of stamps specifically for the Indian Expeditionary Force. These stamps, known as the “Indian Expeditionary Force stamps,” were overprinted versions of the regular Indian postage stamps. The overprints featured the words “I.E.F.” and were designed to be used for postal services specifically within the military’s operations. These stamps were crucial in maintaining communication between the troops and their families back home in India during the course of the war.