A real life story about India’s most revered freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, called as Netaji and his submarine adventure.
Today India remembers its most revered freedom fighter ‘Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’ on his 69th death anniversary. Japanese military commanders called him the best blend of being a ‘Samurai’ warrior and commanded great respect in Germany. He is known for a submarine voyage through mine-infested waters to the other side of the world.
When Germany encountered an unexpected counter-offensive at Stalingrad (Russia), he (Germans prefer to use the nationalistic term “fatherland”, Hence ‘He’) was forced to turn back. But, on the other side his ally Japan was spearheading in East Asia, Bose was eager to go as soon as possible to East Asia and fight beside Japan for India’s liberation. It is believed that his departure was kept secret from his army. Except for a few top-ranking German officers and his closest aides, hardly anybody was aware that within a week-and-a-half Bose would be embarking on the most perilous journey ever undertaken by man.
Adolf Hitler warned Bose against an air journey which could compel him to a forced landing in British territory. He thought Bose was too important a personality to let his life be endangered by such an experiment. Hitler suggested that he could place a German submarine at his disposal which would take him to Bangkok on a journey around the Cape of Good Hope.
He was accompanied by Werner Musenberg (Captain of U-180) and Abid Hassan (Personal assistant and doctor). Abid Hasan travelled separately to Kiel in a special compartment without knowing his destination and was informed about the itinerary after the commencement of the journey.
On 9th February 1943, Netaji left to Japan to seek help for Indian struggle of freedom. Adolf Hitler arranged the famous U-180 German submarine. On 9th February 1943, the submarine sailed from Keil, to travel towards Indian Ocean. When it detoured South Africa and turned to east, a British tanker Corbis confronted. U-180 sank the British Tanker. Three days later, a Japanese submarine I-29 met with U-180 near Madagascar.
Shortly before Bose’s departure the Japanese Naval Command raised objections because of an internal Japanese regulation not permitting civilians to travel on a warship in wartime. When Adam von Trott, a German Foreign officer, received this message, he sent an immediate reply:
“Subhas Chandra Bose is by no means a private person, but Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Liberation Army.”
He reached Japan safe and sound.
From : Global Defense Journal.
