"An Amazing Story Of Close Combat Over a Small ..." Topic

…Tennis Court During WW2.

"Between April 8th and May 13th, 1944 the fate of British troops in Burma was being decided over a small asphalt tennis court. This court lay on what was once a calm and scenic plateau, overlooking the District Commissioner of Naga Hills' bungalow. But in the spring of 1944 the entire region exploded into battle.

The British, Indian and American troops in Burma and Eastern India had been steadily pushed back by the advancing Imperial Japanese Army, who had their eyes set on advancing into India itself. On the 4th of April, they launched a massive attack against the British positions on the Kohima Ridge. This ridge was barely a mile long, and only a few hundred yards deep. Despite its high slopes, the Japanese attacked in force, pushing the British into defensive positions as they laid siege. By the 6th, the British had lost access to their water supplies in the south and were desperately trying to hold on to what positions they left.

The District Commissioner's Bungalow sat at the northern end of the British defensive line and was first attacked on the 8th of April. The Japanese suffered heavy losses but kept pressing forward. Finally, despite the best efforts of the British troops they broke through the line. Under covering fire from a BREN gun, the British troops were able to retreat to the highest point in the compound, the tennis court. The Battle of the Tennis Court had begun…"
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Amicalement
Armand

" Between April 8th and May 13th, 1944 "? Isn't that a little late in the war for the Japanese to attack. Granted I am not up on my Burma WWII history?

Nope, it was the last Japanese offensive in the Burma/Indian area of operations.

Jdginaz is right!.

Amicalement
Armand

Interesting.

Glad you enjoyed it my friend.

Amicalement
Armand

it was the last Japanese offensive in the Burma/Indian area of operations.

Yes, I have a board game by the now OOP Jagdpanther Mag. It covers the entire campaign. Very interesting …

There is an episode of World at War that covers the battles in Burma and some of the survivors of the tennis court battle talk about their experiences.