Home » Burial site of British Soldier killed in World War -II excavated by Imphal Campaign Foundation WW-II

Burial site of British Soldier killed in World War -II excavated by Imphal Campaign Foundation WW-II

by Rinku Khumukcham
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Team of 11 persons lead by Rajeshwor Yumnam, Co-Founder of Imphal Campaign Foundation WW-II explored and excavated a war site (hill range) in the eastern side of Kanglatongbi which was once a battle field during the WW2.
Since the end of Battle of Imphal, 1944, one of most fierce battle in the history of WW2 where many Japanese soldiers and British soldiers lost their lives, many foreign delegates from different country are visiting the State every year, in search of their relatives, family members who have fought and lost their lives in the battle during the WW2. Many had been found and many still remain in mystery.
Rajeshwor Yumnam, Co-Founder of Imphal Campaign Foundation, WW2 said in an exclusive interview with our staff reporter that during his research for the Battle of Imphal, one British person identifying himself as Philips Holmes contacted and detail Rajeshwor that he is the son of one the British soldier called Mr Holmes who died on May 16, 1944 during a battle with Japanese soldiers in the hill range known as Piquet hill or Point 3813 (according to British War Record), eastern side of Kanglatongbi. Philips Holmes wants the remains of his father, buried at the vary hill range so that rituals could be performed to allow the unrest soul rest in peace in his homeland, Rajeshwor asserted.
Rajeshwor explained that late Mr Holmes was a soldier in the Kings Own Scottish Border, KOSB regiment. A heavy battle occurred between Japanese troops and allied forces on May 16 till 20 of 1944 in the vary hill range. The allied troops who fought against the Japanese soldiers was a combined troops of 2nd Battalion of KOSB, 1/11 Sikh Regiment and 4th Battalion of 8th Gurkha Rifles. Around 100 soldiers from both Japanese and British might lost their lives during the battle at the vary hill, as per war record. The vary battle fought at the hill range on May 16 to 20 was with the Japanese soldiers who have withdrawn from their post after the battle of Kanglatongbi that fought between British troops, He added.
Rajeshwor further explain that according to War Record, around 50 dead body of Japanese soldiers were buried by the British Soldiers at the vary hill range after the war was over. While searching for the burial place of Mr Holmes, information for the burial site of Japanese soldiers was also found through a war dairy from one of British soldier who fought at the vary battle. Japanese Embassy has mail a confirmation to send a study team from Tokyo on April, 2016, as the information has been passed to the Japanese Government.
During the exploration the burial place of the war soldiers of Japanese and the burial place of Mr Holmes couldn’t be found as the area was very vast and the equipment was insufficient though the team somehow manages to excavate some arms and war weapons, bullets. A belt buckles and a glass items were also found which is believed to be of Japanese Soldiers.
The exploring area is being tribe by three villages namely Luwangsangon, Ikban, and Chalbung.
The team met with the village Head after returning from the exploring site where they got the permit to continue the research freely till the remains could be found.

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