When did the Battle of Kohima begin and end?
The siege began on the 6th of April 1944 when the garrison was continually shelled. The battle concluded with British troops meeting advancing forces from Imphal at Milestone 109 on the 22nd of June 1944.
Questions about Battle of Kohima
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who commanded the Japanese 31st Division during the Battle of Kohima?
Lieutenant General Kōtoku Satō commanded the Japanese 31st Division during the operation. He expressed grave misgivings about the offensive chances and eventually withdrew his division without orders on the 31st of May 1944.
How many Victoria Crosses were awarded for actions during the Battle of Kohima?
Three Victoria Crosses were awarded for actions during the Battle of Kohima. Lance Corporal John Pennington Harman, Captain John Niel Randle, and Jemadar Abdul Hafiz received these honors for their bravery against overwhelming odds.
Where is the War Cemetery in Kohima located today?
The War Cemetery lies on the slopes of Garrison Hill in what was once the Deputy Commissioner's tennis court. It contains 1,420 Allied war dead maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
What supplies did the Japanese 31st Division have when they began the operation?
The Japanese 31st Division began the operation with only three weeks supply of food. Once these supplies were exhausted, they existed on meagre captured stocks and what they could forage until starvation set in by the middle of May 1944.