The three-month long observation of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Imphal (World War 2) came to an end today. Today’s programme was held late this afternoon at Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) auditorium participated by Manipur Governor VK Duggal, Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Gaikhangam, Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, Barry Murphy, Director, Common Wealth War Grave Commission, Gen. P.M.Bali, GOC 57 Mountain Division, Scott Furssedonn Wood, British Deputy High Commission to India, Jane Spicer, First Secretary, Australian High Commission to India , Col Larry J. Redmon, Military Attache, Embassy of United States, Chairman and Members of the Manipur Tourism Forum and 2nd World War Imphal Campaign Foundation.
Other features of the closing ceremony have been the showing of audio and video compilation of the three-month long observation of the ‘Battle of Imphal” which began on March 23. A souvenir was also released on the occasion.
Chairperson of Burma Campaign Society Akiko Mcdonald could not come to the programme but a video message from him was shown. Ministers and MLAs of Manipur also participated in today event.
Speaking on the occasion, Manipur Chief Minister highlighted the chronicles of the World War-II in Manipur.
London-based Japanese filmmaker and actor Junichi Kajioka hold a premiere of his World War II epic "Imphal 1944" to mark the end of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Imphal.
Thousands of soldiers, belonging to both the Japanese and the Allied Forces, were killed and maimed in several high-pitched battles across Manipur, a significant, but forgotten, theatre of WW II. Notably, the twin battles of Imphal and Kohima have been called "the greatest-ever battle involving British forces" by the National Army Museum, London.
Imphal, May 19,2014 : "Battle of Torbung " , a fierce battle fought during 2nd World War was observed today at Tollen Village, Torbung, Churachnadpur District with 2 surviving 2nd World War veterans from Manipur - Kaikhai Kuki (92 years) of 1st Assam Regiment and Mr. Kaijakap Kuki (91 years) of 2nd Assam Regiment as Special Guests. The function was organised as a part of the three month long observation of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Imphal WW-II by the Manipur Tourism Forum and 2nd World War Imphal Campaign Foundation.
In the commemoration function Mr. Lienlal Khongsai, Village Chief Tollen Village and Arambam Angamba, co-convenor, organizing committee attended as chief guest and president, respectively.
Speakers at the function stressed on the significance of organizing the function.
During the reteat of the 17th Division towards the plains of Imphal along the Tiddim road the Japanese had managed to erect raodblock at certain locations. MS 34 at Torbung was one of them where fierce battle was fought to dominate the route. 48th Allied Infantry brigade was called in from the Sugunu area to counter the road block at this MS 34. Ultimately, the Allied Force succeeded in destroying the road block and proceeding towards Imphal plains.
The 2 suviving war vetarans also narrated about their personal accounts of the battles they took part in various places of Burma (Myanmar). Kaikhai mentioned that he was trained in Calcutta (Kolkata). And from Madras (Chennai) he was transported to Burma as the retreating Japanese were fighting with the Allieds.
Rajeshwor Yumnam, Secratary of the Organising Committee informed that the Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of Battle of Imphal was inaugurated on March 23, 2014 and would be concluded on June 28, 2014. The programmes to oraganised before the concluding functions are Observation at Red Hill (Maibam Lokpa Ching) on May 29, Battle of Motbung on June 7, Llift of Imphal Siege/Milstone 109 on June 22, Battle of Bishnupur on June 12 and Silchar Track on June 25.
- Organising Committee, 70th Anniversary Battle of Imphal (WWII)
"...the Battles of Imphal and Kohima were the turning point of one of the most gruelling campaigns of the Second World War" - National Army Museum, United Kingdom
Recently THE battle of Imphal and Kohima has been named the greatest Battle of WWII. As apart of the 70th Annivesary, The Battle of Imphal website by Eastern Trail has started Providing Tours related with Battle of Imphal......
The Tiddim Road Tour - White Tigers, Black Cats and a Springing Tiger is one of the tour.
The Tiddim Road was where the Japanese 33rd Division (the ‘White Tigers’) faced off with the 17th Indian Division (the ‘Black Cats’), the main British force in the area, during the Battle of Imphal. Just off it is Moirang, where men of the Indian National Army (INA) planted the Indian tricolour, which featured a springing tiger, for the first time on the mainland.
The Tiddim Road Tour gives you a chance to discover this intriguing story, and much more. Heading out of Imphal on the Tiddim Road, this guided tour takes in the only Japanese War Memorial in India; battlefields along the way, including the town of Ningthoukhong where two Victoria Crosses were awarded in June 1944; the only INA Memorial Complex in the world at Moirang; Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in northeast India; and, depending on your tour option, Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world.
The Battle of Imphal makes for a truly gripping story. To tell it, we are in the process of designing tours in and around Imphal and across Manipur that take in sites related to this famous battle. Check for more details at BATTLE OF IMPHAL
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