Friday, May 9, 2008
NorthEast - Kinda military genius!
The Battle of Saraighat saw brilliant uses of the terrain, clever diplomatic negotiations to buy time, guerrilla tactics, psychological warfare, military intelligence......boy this is something!
WW-II Battles of Kohima and Imphal, which stopped Japanese
Really super courageous men - both Alllied and Japanese! These two-Battles of Kohima and Imphal were possibly even grimmer than the ones of Bataan and Guadalcanal in terms of casualities. Its one of the first major defeat for the Japanese army and a turnaround of the fortunes of the Allies. And brilliant leadership by Field Marshall William Slim of an army of sorts including majority Indians.There were quite a few extraordinary military leaders who built up this finale in this theatre. Major General Orde Charles Wingate, DSO and his Chindits were harassing the Japanese in Burma behind their own lines throughout the war. They gave the Japanese nightmares on their own turf of jungle warfare expertise. Also the flamboyant American Phil Cochran and his Air Commando One which was the Chindit's own air support force. Wingate went on to train the American version of the Chindits, namely Merrill's Marauders, who operated in North Burma from Ledo in Assam, north of Kohima. And of course we have the rather redoubtable 'Vinegar Joe': American Gen. Joseph Stilwell also based at Ledo.
The Old Road
How busy was the old Stilwell Road then - some stuff from the vault.
Seems likely that the road from India to China is being pushed ahead. Most of it is still the jungle overgrown Stilwell Road. And I am keen on doing a complete trip of the trail before the old road may or may not be pushed into oblivion by the new. And maybe along with its rich history too and a tremendous tale of the human spirit. Paradoxical! Here's a wartime documentary narrated by Ronald Reagan.
(For newbies)Currently the Northeast corner of India, including the state of Assam is locked out from all sides of the borders and is pretty much in the same state of affairs as in WWII years!! This is recent news about discovery of WWII airplane crash sites in Northeast India from the old CBI theatre. And here is another great battle that was fought in the same theatre.
And talking about secrets, some of the first special forces were operational in this theatre inspiring a classic Hollywood flick. And it certainly startled me to know that the CIA took off (operationally) in a tiny town in Assam out of all places...but that is another WWII story!!!
Seems likely that the road from India to China is being pushed ahead. Most of it is still the jungle overgrown Stilwell Road. And I am keen on doing a complete trip of the trail before the old road may or may not be pushed into oblivion by the new. And maybe along with its rich history too and a tremendous tale of the human spirit. Paradoxical! Here's a wartime documentary narrated by Ronald Reagan.
(For newbies)Currently the Northeast corner of India, including the state of Assam is locked out from all sides of the borders and is pretty much in the same state of affairs as in WWII years!! This is recent news about discovery of WWII airplane crash sites in Northeast India from the old CBI theatre. And here is another great battle that was fought in the same theatre.
And talking about secrets, some of the first special forces were operational in this theatre inspiring a classic Hollywood flick. And it certainly startled me to know that the CIA took off (operationally) in a tiny town in Assam out of all places...but that is another WWII story!!!
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