Imphal- Kohima, 1942 India and Burma,part Two

Imphal-Kohima, 1942 India and Burma,Part Two.   90 miles north of Imphal and almost 50 from Dimapur stands the capital Nagaland, Kohima at the summit of a pass betwen mountains 8,000 to 10,000 feet high and at a point where the road turns south to Imphal. At the time the battle took place it was the headquarters of the district commissioner administrating the loyal and courageous Nagas.

what of the Japanese? . In January 1942 when their 15th Army invaded Burma the country was entirely unprepared . By May the allies had been driven out the British to Imphal and India and the Chinese to China. Thus permitting the Japanese to occupy the whole country up to the banks of the River Chindwin to the Chinese frontier in the North and to Arakan on the Bay of Bengal. The problem then facing them was what should be their future strategy consolidation or an advance into India?.

The opinion was divided 1. Favouring a further advance, 2. Consolidation for success had come more quickly than expected the Army having overrun itself needed time to reorganize. The day was carried by the latter group mainly becaurse the two leading divisional commanders ,one of whom was Lieutenant-General Mutaguchi later to command the 15th Army.

Were strongly of the opinion that the roadless mountainous jungle between Burma and India together with the highly dangerous diseases indigenous to that area put a further advance out of the question so the policy of consolidation was adopted.

The British prepared to make Imphal the base for their future return to Burma. For 18 months the 600 yard wide River Chindwin became the disputed  boundary between the opposing forces on the front and forests and mountains of the Kabaw Valley and Chin hills a no man’s land in which minor engagements and patrol clashes were frequent occurrences.

I hope you all like this story and let me know what you think of it.

George T Saviel

12 November 2010

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia