On the other side, Japan after declaring war on America and Britain made rapid advances in Malaya(now Malaysia) defeating the British army. Rash Behari Bose, already in Japan, and whose two sons were in the Japanese army, approached the Japanese emperor and requested him to retain the Indian prisoners of war. The emperor gave his assent.

Meanwhile, Capt Mohan Singh of 14th Punjab regiment, alongwith his company strength of 200 soldiers was captured by the Japanese. On February 15, 1942, the British commander surrendered to the Japanese army unconditionally.

All the British soldiers and officers were sent to Changi jail and the Indian POWs ordered to assemble at a big ground where some leaders had come. There it was announced that the Indian National Army will be formed. Whosoever volunteers will be allowed to join the army.

With the consent of the Japanese commander and Rash Behari Bose, the Indian National Army was formed under the command of Capt Mohan Singh.

As the army was formed under conditions put up by the Japanese, it is believed that Gen. Mohan Singh was not allowed to perform as per his free will. He disbanded the INA in May 1943.

Within a few days of this Sh Rash Behari Bose visited our camps and said that we should be patient, the INA will function soon under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose. All of us were delighted to know that Netaji is coming.

Netaji arrived after a daring submarine journey from Berlin to Sumatra.

On 3rd July 1943, we were ordered to assemble at a ground to greet and hear our beloved leader, Subhas Chandra Bose who was given the title "Netaji". It was here that he said: "Tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe azadi doonga."

It was his political wisdom that he made Japan agree to the formation of INA on his terms.

(Lt.S.P Sharma served as 2nd lieutenant, Punjab regiment in the Armoured Fighting Vehicles(AFU) battalion and fought on the battlefront in 1944-45)