A Gurkha airborne assault neutralized Japanese coastal defenses at Elephant Point, enabling the amphibious advance up the Rangoon River that recaptured Burma's capital.
Key Facts
- Date
- 1 May 1945
- Operation type
- Airborne assault
- Force used
- Composite Gurkha parachute battalion
- Parent division
- 44th Indian Airborne Division
- Friendly fire incident
- American bombers attacked one company
- Area held until
- 2 May 1945
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Allied plans to recapture Malaya and Singapore required first taking Rangoon. A joint amphibious-airborne assault by 26th Indian Division was planned to sail up the Rangoon River, but the river had to be cleared of mines first, which required neutralizing Japanese coastal defenses, including a battery at Elephant Point.
On 1 May 1945, a composite Gurkha airborne battalion drawn from 44th Indian Airborne Division was dropped near Elephant Point. Despite a friendly fire attack by American bombers and torrential rain, the battalion advanced and successfully assaulted the battery in a fierce firefight, neutralizing the Japanese coastal defenses.
With Elephant Point secured, the 26th Indian Division launched its amphibious assault up the Rangoon River on 2 May 1945, and successfully captured Rangoon. This opened the path toward the eventual Allied recapture of Malaya and Singapore later in the war.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent