London museum tells forgotten story of African and Indian troops in second world war

A vial of anti-malarial mepacrine tablets from the Burma memorial collection at the National Army Museum. Photograph: National Army Museum

The forgotten story of African and Indian troops who fought in south Asia against Japanese forces during the second world war and who have largely been omitted from the official history is to be brought to life in a London exhibition.

The National Army Museum’s Beyond Burma: Forgotten Armies show includes rare items from Indian and African soldiers who toiled in some of the harshest conditions seen anywhere during the conflict.