Battle of Imphal, Kangla Tongbi remembered
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 07 2019: Commemorating the Battle of Imphal fought 75 years ago, a wreath laying ceremony was organised at Common Wealth War Cemetery, Dewlaland, Imphal today.

Retired Lt Gen Ravi Eipe, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Head Liason Officer India, Commonwealth Graves Commission, retired Lt Gen K Himalaya Singh, Imphal East DC Rangitabali Waikhom, Major General KP Singh and other officials attended the event and paid homage to the martyrs.

Religious teachers and preachers of Hindu, Christian, Muslim and Sikh read lines from Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Koran and Guru Granth Sahib to bless the souls of martyrs.

War veterans who are 'living legends' were felicitated and honoured during the ceremony.

The Battle of Imphal is referred to as one of the bloodiest battles of World War-II.

It was the decisive battle which blunted the Japanese offensive into India during World War-II .

The battle in which more than three divisions were sent in by the Japanese to capture Imphal valley was fought at various locations spread all over Manipur from March 8 to July 3, 1944 .

The Battle was the turning point of the Burma campaign.

Battles of Kohima and Imphal were voted by the British National Army Museum to be "Britain's Greatest Battles" .

Victoria Cross, the highest British decoration for bravery, were awarded to five people for their actions in Manipur during the Battle of Imphal.

Platinum Jubilee commemoration of Battle of Kangla Tongbi
The Platinum Jubilee of the Battle of Kangla Tongbi War was commemorated today by Army Ordnance Corps at Kangla Tongbi War Memorial near Imphal honouring the martyrs of Ordnance Personnel of 221 Advance Ordnance Depot.

The event commenced with wreath laying by Lt Gen Dalip Singh, VSM, DGOS & Senior Colonel Commandant as the chief guest, Veteran Officers and next of kin of Britishers who participated during the Kangla Tongbi Ops and descendants of Indian martyrs, said PRO Army.

Apart from laying wreath at Kangla Tongbi War Memorial, the officials and families of the martyrs visited the Kangla Tongbi Children Home.

The inmates were presented with gifts.

The Battle of Kangla Tongbi, considered one of the fiercest battles of World War II, was fought by Ordnance personnel of 221 Advance Ordnance Depot (AOD) on the night of 6/7 April 1944 .

A small but determined detachment of 221 AOD put up stiff resistance against the advancing Japanese forces at Kangla Tongbi.

Major Boyd of the 221 AOD was awarded the Military Cross (MC), Conductor Parker, the Military Medal (MM) and Hav/ Clerk Store Basant Singh, the Indian Distinguished Service Medal (IDSM), said army.

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