March on Delhi

The campaign began with a diversionary Japanese attack launched against Arakan, an area where the British had only recently fought their way forward to retake Maundaw. The Battle raged for most of February leaving more than 5,000 Japanese dead. This was the first time Japanese infiltration tactics failed to achieve the results expected.

In March the action switched to the 300 mile front of Imphal, Kohima and Dimapur. The main offensive began with two British outlying Divisions making fighting withdrawals to the Imphal plain and with the Indian 5th Division being airlifted in from Arakan. Imphal was completly cut off with its only supply from the air. The Allied triumph in the ensuing battle owed a lot to successful air supply as the Japanese ring was not broken until 22 June.

Kohima 80 miles north of Imphal held on until relieved on the 18th of April, with fighting continuing in this area.

The Battle in this area was a disaster for the Japanese army with 53,000 casulties of which more than 30,000 died.