Key Facts
- Dates
- 4 April – 22 June 1944
- Duration
- 80 days
- Total casualties (DB)
- ~12,000
- Battle phases
- 3 distinct phases
- Recognition
- Voted Britain's Greatest Battle (2013, National Army Museum)
Strategic Narrative Overview
The battle unfolded in three phases. From 4–16 April, Japanese forces besieged Kohima ridge before a relief force broke through. Between 18 April and 13 May, British and Indian reinforcements counter-attacked, forcing the Japanese off the ridge. From 16 May to 22 June, Allied troops pursued the retreating Japanese south along the Kohima–Imphal road, grinding through defended positions in difficult terrain.
01 / The Origins
In early 1944, Japan launched Operation U-Go, an offensive aimed at invading British India through Burma, hoping to cut Allied supply lines and incite an Indian uprising against British rule. Kohima ridge was a strategically critical point that controlled the road supplying the besieged British and Indian IV Corps at Imphal, making it a primary Japanese objective in their push westward.
03 / The Outcome
On 22 June 1944, British and Indian forces advancing from Kohima and Imphal met at Milestone 109, ending both the Battle of Kohima and the Siege of Imphal. The Japanese U-Go offensive collapsed, ending Japan's only serious attempt to invade India. Severely mauled Japanese forces retreated into Burma, never again mounting a comparable offensive in the theatre.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.