RAF camp discovered
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 17 2015:
A major camp used by the British Royal Air Force during the Second World War has been discovered by the Second World War Imphal Campaign Foundation at the eastern side of Tulihal airport.
According to Second World War Imphal Campaign Foundation founder Yumnam Rajeshwar, a major camp used by the British Royal Air Force during Second World War, then known as Sentinel Hills was discovered today.
233rd squadron of the British Royal Air Force was stationed at Sentinel Hills located a few kilometres away from Tulihal airport which was first constructed by British ruler in 1944 .
Sentinel Hills is known to local people as Langthabal Phura Makhong hills.
The location of the hitherto unknown camp was worked out after comparing photographs taken during Second World War with oral accounts given by local elders.
RAF pilots and other personnel were stationed at Sentinel Hills from 1945 to 1946 .
Though the hillock is closely related with the history of Second World War, the hillock is being levelled to create space for rehabilitation of families displaced due to expansion of Tulihal airport.
The foundation would continue exploring different parts of Manipur to find out if there is anything related to Second World War which remains undiscovered till date.
During the Second World War, American generals wanted to build a larger airport in Manipur.
Accordingly, British military engineers stationed in Manipur constructed an airport with a runway of 2000 yards.
Whereas the Americans wanted to have a runway of just 2000 feet, the British engineers constructed a runway as long as 2000 yards due to communication gap.
Because of this communication gap, modern fighter jets can land at Tulihal Airport even today, Rajeshwar said.