Post–World War II demobilization strikes occurred within Allied military forces stationed across the Middle East, India and South-East Asia in the months and years following World War II. American military personnel based in occupied Germany were holding mass parades for speedier demobilization and in the Philippines formed soldiers committees and went on demonstrations calling for a return home.[1] In India, thousands of Royal Air Force servicemen pushed for demobilization and went on strike citing grievances over conditions of work such as deaths in high temperatures in Cawnpore (station: 322 MU Cawnpore) and overcrowding at RAF Jodhpur. A "Forces Parliament" was set up - effectively a workers' council, but was dissolved before the issues came to a head. The issue was a major subject of debate in the British Parliament. At one point Prime MinisterClement Attlee was presented with a petition by India-stationed servicemen that stated:
Long-serving Australian military personnel at Morotai protesting in December 1945 about delays in their repatriation to Australia and demobilization. 4,500 men took part in the protest.
"We have done the job we joined up to do. Now we want to get back home, both for personal reasons and because we think it is by work that we can best help Britain. No indication has been given of when we will see our families again. Is it because the government wishes to talk tough with other powers?"
Some brigades in India were disbanded as they were viewed as "politically unreliable" suggesting that in event of being used to put down disturbances they would have refused.[2]
The Conservatives demanded to know whether the new Labour government thought there was any difference between a strike and a mutiny. Some 'agitators' or strike leaders were jailed, but public pressure through MPs led to their early release or reduction in sentences.[3]
post, world, demobilization, strikes, occurred, within, allied, military, forces, stationed, across, middle, east, india, south, east, asia, months, years, following, world, american, military, personnel, based, occupied, germany, were, holding, mass, parades,. Post World War II demobilization strikes occurred within Allied military forces stationed across the Middle East India and South East Asia in the months and years following World War II American military personnel based in occupied Germany were holding mass parades for speedier demobilization and in the Philippines formed soldiers committees and went on demonstrations calling for a return home 1 In India thousands of Royal Air Force servicemen pushed for demobilization and went on strike citing grievances over conditions of work such as deaths in high temperatures in Cawnpore station 322 MU Cawnpore and overcrowding at RAF Jodhpur A Forces Parliament was set up effectively a workers council but was dissolved before the issues came to a head The issue was a major subject of debate in the British Parliament At one point Prime Minister Clement Attlee was presented with a petition by India stationed servicemen that stated Long serving Australian military personnel at Morotai protesting in December 1945 about delays in their repatriation to Australia and demobilization 4 500 men took part in the protest We have done the job we joined up to do Now we want to get back home both for personal reasons and because we think it is by work that we can best help Britain No indication has been given of when we will see our families again Is it because the government wishes to talk tough with other powers Some brigades in India were disbanded as they were viewed as politically unreliable suggesting that in event of being used to put down disturbances they would have refused 2 The Conservatives demanded to know whether the new Labour government thought there was any difference between a strike and a mutiny Some agitators or strike leaders were jailed but public pressure through MPs led to their early release or reduction in sentences 3 See also EditDemobilisation of the Australian military after World War II Demobilisation of the British Armed Forces after World War II Demobilization of United States armed forces after World War II Royal Air Force Mutiny of 1946 Royal Indian Navy Mutiny of 1946 of Indian sailors also demanded demobilisation 1947 Royal New Zealand Navy mutinies Cairo Forces Parliament Helwan Riots 1945 References Edit Lessons of the Post WW2 US Soldiers Movement the Strikes of 1945 1946 by David May Archived 2008 01 13 at the Wayback Machine Fyrth Jim A Indian Landscape 1944 46 Socialist History Society Occasional Papers London 2001 http www jcc org uk news gazette 113 html Archived 2007 10 06 at the Wayback Machine The RAF Strike India 1946 John Carpenter Club Gazette Journal of the City of London Old Boys Association Further reading EditDavid Childs Britain Since 1945 Routledge 2002 ISBN 0 415 39327 2 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Post World War II demobilization strikes amp oldid 1155926379, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
