BATTLE // January 1, 1944
Battle of Kohima
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Source · Wikipedia
Significance
The Battle of Kohima was the turning point of the Japanese U-Go offensive into British India in 1944. Fought in three stages from April to June 1944 around the town of Kohima in Northeast India, the battle centered on Kohima ridge, a terrain feature dominating the supply road to IV Corps at Imphal, where British and Indian troops were besieged. Japanese forces of 15,000–20,000 attempted to seize the ridge and sever that line of supply, but were ultimately repelled by a British and British Indian force numbering around 1,500 at the outset. By mid-April the garrison at Kohima was relieved, and the broader Japanese offensive stalled. The combined casualties — over 4,000 on the British side and up to 7,000 Japanese — reflected the intensity of the fighting. The failure to take Kohima effectively broke the momentum of Japan's push into India, marking the limit of Japanese westward expansion on the Burma front.
Tactics
The overview describes the battle as unfolding in three stages around Kohima ridge, a dominant terrain feature controlling the supply road to Imphal. The Japanese sought to capture this ridge to cut off IV Corps, while the British and British Indian garrison defended it until relief arrived by mid-April. The source does not provide further detail on maneuvers, formations, or tactical dispositions beyond this.
Forces & casualties
Troop strength
- Japan15,000–20,000medium
- United Kingdom1,500medium
Japan fielded a 11.7 : 1 numerical advantage
Casualties
- United Kingdom4,064medium271% loss rate
- Japan5,764–7,000medium36% loss rate
Commanders (2)
Japan
United Kingdom
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6 sibling battles · 6 factions