Removal of "INDIA" from WWII censor marks
I have a cover (attached) from EA APO 55 postmarked 24 February 1944. APO 55 is believed to have been with 26 (EA) Bde, who at that time were in training in Ceylon and who did not enter Burma until August 1944. It has a strike of Indian type IND162, number X399. World War Two Censor Marks notes "IND162: As IND161 but with INDIA removed. It is thought that as forces from India advanced into Burma and onwards, the word India was removed from the censor handstamps." (There are even traces of the excised lettering on this example). As this was posted six months before the Brigade moved to Burma, I wonder whether the note means that "INDIA" was excised from all IND161 handstamps when Empire troops first started to push back into Burma rather than that it was done by each unit's censor when that particular unit moved to Burma?
I am also intrigued that this implies that it was decided to remove "INDIA" for units in Burma, but that it was not thought necessary to do so while troops were in the separate colony of Ceylon. Finally, the FIELD CENSOR triangular mark IND102 is noted as IND101 with "INDIA" removed but with no further comment. Would it be right to assume that the excision would be at the same time and with the same reasoning for both IND101 and IND161 handstamps?
Can anyone comment, please?