Azad Hind
Indian Legion [Indische Legion]
1943
In 1941, German officials began efforts to convince Indian POWs to switch their allegiance and fight for the Axis against the British, who had long been the colonial occupiers of India. These efforts were marginally successful with a small initial corps of 300 men that formed the Indian Legion, more commonly known as the Indian Legion, or the Tiger Legion of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army).
The initial cadre would eventually expand to over 2,500 troops, and by 1943 the Legion was posted to various assignments in Holland and France. The Legion took part mainly in non-combat roles throughout the war. They saw action in the retreat from the occupied France, mostly fighting against the French Resistance. One company was sent to Italy where it saw action against British and Polish troops.
In March 1945, the remaining members of the Indian Legion made an effort to reach neutral Switzerland but were captured by the Allied Forces and sent back to India. Their trial and the Officers of the Azad Hind Fauj caused a national uproar and was never concluded.
Country: India/ Germany
Series: Indische Legion
Issued On: 1943
Type: Cindrella
Design: Werner – Maria con Axster-Heudtlass
Printing: Photogravure
Watermark: None
Tiger Legion
A Sikh Indian soldier of the Indian Legion with a German MG 34 machine gun. Illustrated in IA and B
The Azad Hind Stamps of the Indian Legion were printed in Germany at the State Printing Bureau, Berlin. The designs were prepared by Aster-Heudtlass, the prominent designer of the Reichspost. The stamps were printed in the denominations of 1+1 annas, 2+2 annas, 2½ +2½ annas, 3+3 annas, 8+12 annas, 12 annas +1 R. Stamps meant for Andaman and Nicobar Islands were printed in ½ anna, 1 anna, 2½ anna, and 1+2 R.
Except for the higher rupee value stamps, all stamps existed in both perforate and imperforate. The stamps planned for Andaman and Nicobar were perforated.
The most valuable of the Azad Hind stamps were the Rupee ones. They showed three soldiers of the Azad Hind, a stand bearer Sikh and two soldiers on each side. These sets of stamps were planned to be multicoloured, with the flag coloured in orange. Unfinished prints in monochrome or with just two colours exist, and so do forgeries.
Azad Hind [Indian Legion]. February, 1943.
Perforated.
Mi:DE-IN IA
1+1 A. Dark Brown. Perforated.
Sikh soldier with a German MG 34 machine gun
Mi:DE-IN IIA
2+2 A. Lilac Red. Perforated.
Ploughing farmer in the backdrop of a mountainous landscape
Mi:DE-IN IIIA
2½+2½ A. Dark ultramarine. Perforated.
Indian woman at a spinning wheel
Mi:DE-IN IVA
3+3 A. Dark pink red. Perforated.
Indian nurse tending to a wounded man
Mi:DE-IN VA
8+12 A. Blackish blue violet. Perforated.
Broken chains and daggers with a map of undivided India
Mi:DE-IN VIA
12A + 1R. Dark carmine lilac. Perforated.
Broken chains and daggers with a map of undivided India
Mi:DE-IN VIIIA
½ A. Blackish olive green. Perforated.
Ploughing farmer in the backdrop of a mountainous landscape
Mi:DE-IN IXA
1 A. Dark lilac red. Perforated.
Ploughing farmer in the backdrop of a mountainous landscape
Mi:DE-IN XA
2½ A. Orange red. Perforated.
Indian woman at a spinning wheel
Azad Hind [Indian Legion]. February, 1943.
Imperforated.
Mi:DE-IN IB
1+1 A. Dark Brown. Imperforate.
Sikh soldier with a German MG 34 machine gun
Mi:DE-IN IIB
2+2 A. Lilac Red. Imperforate.
Ploughing farmer in the backdrop of a mountainous landscape
Mi:DE-IN IIIB
2½+2½ A. Dark ultramarine. Imperforate.
Indian woman at a spinning wheel
Mi:DE-IN IVB
3+3 A. Dark pink red. Imperforate.
Indian nurse tending to a wounded man
Mi:DE-IN VB
8+12 A. Blackish blue violet. Imperforate.
Broken chains and daggers with a map of undivided India
Mi:DE-IN VIB
12A + 1R. Dark carmine lilac. Imperforate.
Broken chains and daggers with a map of undivided India
Mi:DE-IN VIIIB
½ A. Blackish olive green. Imperforate.
Ploughing farmer in the backdrop of a mountainous landscape
Mi:DE-IN IXB
2½ A. Orange red. Imperforate.
Ploughing farmer in the backdrop of a mountainous landscape
Mi:DE-IN XB
1 A. Dark lilac red. Imperforate.
Indian woman at a spinning wheel
Azad Hind [Indian Legion]. February, 1943.
Imperforated Rupee Stamps.
Mi:DE-IN VIIA
1+2 R. Black orange green. Imperforate.
Azad Hind Standard with three soldiers and daggers
Mi:DE-IN VIIB
1+2 R. Black. Imperforate.
Azad Hind Standard with three soldiers and daggers
Mi:DE-IN VIIC
1+2 R. Black orange. Imperforate.
Azad Hind Standard with three soldiers and daggers
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