Some of these troops which participated in the Japanese conquest of Burma did reach India but pulled back with Japan's retreat.
Bose and the unit's heroism is still remembered among many nationalist Indians and is also fondly remembered by apologist Japanese historians who see Japanese efforts to support Bose as proof that it was fighting a war on behalf of the oppressed peoples of Asia.
Bose had once been president of the Indian National Congress, but stood a second term against the wishes of Gandhi, who supported Pattabhi Sitaramayya. Although he won the election, Gandhi's continued opposition led to the resignation of the Working Committee which further put pressure on Bose to finally resign.
Bose died in a plane crash over Taiwan while flying to Tokyo.