IT News
Imphal, May 29,
The 74th Anniversary of Battle of Red Hill was commemorated today at India Peace Memorial, Maibam Lotpa Ching by 2WW Imphal Campaign Foundation
The function was attended by Mr Bruce Bucknell, British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata along with his two officials. They all paid floral tribute to all the soldiers who died at Red Hill during the battle which fought from 20th May to 29th May 1944.
It may be noted that on 20 May the Japanese soldier came out of the hill west of Buri Bazar (now Nambol Bazar) at MS 10 from Imphal, and took a hill which dominate the road (Point 2926 or Red Hill). Or, at least, they took most of it. A pimple defended by twenty sepoys from 7/10 Baluch resisted the onslaught;and the Japanese did not occupy the part of the hill which overlooked HQ 17 Indian Division. They were simply cutting the road from Imphal and did not know Cowan was there. Cowan, rather naturally, objected to conducting his battle in the very shadow of the Japanese offensive, and after a scratch force from Divisional HQ and a number of infantry companies had failed to dislodge the Japanese, 50 parachute Brigade (Woods) was brought in. With the assistance of 3/1 Gurkha Rifles (under Wingfield) from 20 Division and two troops of tanks (3 Carabiniers), the Japanese were forced off Red Hill by the end of May. Sakuma watch the battle from regimental HQ at Nunggang. When it was over, Sueda’s 2nd battalion, 500 strong when he set out was down to forty men”.
The function was participated by students from Manipur University ,members of Indo-Japan Friendship Association and members from the local clubs and associations
Floral tributes were paid at the memorial by all the people who participated today.