<strong>Battle of Kohima-Imphal:</strong> Often overlooked, the Battle for Kohima/Imphal is considered a decisive turning point for WWII. In this image, Corporal Edwards leads soldiers of 14th Army through a torrent of water near Kohima during the Battle for Kohima-Imphal in 1944.
Battle of Kohima-Imphal: Often overlooked, the Battle for Kohima/Imphal is considered a decisive turning point for WWII. In this image, Corporal Edwards leads soldiers of 14th Army through a torrent of water near Kohima during the Battle for Kohima-Imphal in 1944.
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<strong>The greatest battle of WWII: </strong>In 2013, the Battle for Kohima/Imphal was voted by the National War Museum as Britain's greatest battle ahead of the more celebrated battles of D-Day and Waterloo. Today, travelers to the area can visit museums, graveyards, battlefields and memorials to learn more.
The greatest battle of WWII: In 2013, the Battle for Kohima/Imphal was voted by the National War Museum as Britain's greatest battle ahead of the more celebrated battles of D-Day and Waterloo. Today, travelers to the area can visit museums, graveyards, battlefields and memorials to learn more.
Ranjan Pal
<strong>Kohima, Nagaland: </strong>Today's Kohima shows no traces of that long-ago battle. The urban sprawl of the town has covered up all the hills over which the battle was fought.
Kohima, Nagaland: Today's Kohima shows no traces of that long-ago battle. The urban sprawl of the town has covered up all the hills over which the battle was fought.
Ranjan Pal
<strong>The attack: </strong>On April 4, 1944, the Japanese attack caught the British in India by surprise. They cut the Kohima-Imphal road and quickly surrounded the British garrison defending the hilltop town of Kohima. Over the next 16 crucial days, the British Indian force of 2,500 men held off 15,000 Japanese troops comprising the 31st Infantry Division who had laid siege to the Kohima ridge.
The attack: On April 4, 1944, the Japanese attack caught the British in India by surprise. They cut the Kohima-Imphal road and quickly surrounded the British garrison defending the hilltop town of Kohima. Over the next 16 crucial days, the British Indian force of 2,500 men held off 15,000 Japanese troops comprising the 31st Infantry Division who had laid siege to the Kohima ridge.
Ranjan Pal
<strong>Kohima War Cemetery: </strong>A visit to the Kohima War Cemetery is not to be missed. Beautifully maintained by the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cwgc.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Commonwealth War Graves Commission</a>, visitors will find the plots of British and Indian servicemen who lost their lives in the defense of Kohima, numbering 2,340 in all.
Kohima War Cemetery: A visit to the Kohima War Cemetery is not to be missed. Beautifully maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, visitors will find the plots of British and Indian servicemen who lost their lives in the defense of Kohima, numbering 2,340 in all.
Ranjan Pal
<strong>Lost lives: </strong>The cemetery is home to the graves of the British and Indian servicemen who lost their lives in the defense of Kohima, numbering 2,340 in all.
Lost lives: The cemetery is home to the graves of the British and Indian servicemen who lost their lives in the defense of Kohima, numbering 2,340 in all.
Ranjan Pal
<strong>Garrison Hill: </strong>The cemetery is built over the exact site of the battle on Garrison Hill and you can see the lines of the famous District Commissioner's tennis court, where the opposing sides faced off in a pitched battle.
Garrison Hill: The cemetery is built over the exact site of the battle on Garrison Hill and you can see the lines of the famous District Commissioner's tennis court, where the opposing sides faced off in a pitched battle.
Ranjan Pal
<strong>Remote historical site: </strong>Private tour groups now lead tours to remote and pristine areas of Imphal, the capital of Manipur, where the main thrust of the Japanese attack happened.
Remote historical site: Private tour groups now lead tours to remote and pristine areas of Imphal, the capital of Manipur, where the main thrust of the Japanese attack happened.
Ranjan Pal
<strong>Indian National Army War Museum: </strong>An Indian security personnel looks at a map showing details of the Imphal conflict at the Indian National Army (INA) War Museum in Moirang, some 45 kilometers from Imphal.
Indian National Army War Museum: An Indian security personnel looks at a map showing details of the Imphal conflict at the Indian National Army (INA) War Museum in Moirang, some 45 kilometers from Imphal.
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