Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, adjacent groups in the Bay of Bengal (Indian Ocean) which were administered by India. In March 1942, after Rangoon had fallen to the Japanese at the start of the Burma campaign, the British garrison was withdrawn. The same month the islands were occupied by the Japanese who, at the end of 1943, handed over their administration, but not their defence, to Subhas Chandra Bose's Provisional government of Free India. The islands were strategically placed but in December 1943 it was decided at the Cairo conference (see SEXTANT) to postpone a plan (BUCCANEER) to capture them—all available landing craft were needed for the Normandy landings in Europe (see OVERLORD)—and the Japanese garrison, harassed by Allied air raids, remained there until the war ended.