Word: imphal
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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This week while Stilwell's troops diligently cut enemy supply lines in North Burma, the Jap stood on the outskirts of Kohima, was only ten miles from Imphal, only 35 miles from the railway. Said New Delhi: ". . . Slightly increased pressure on the Arakan front...
Even if Kawabe only succeeds in seizing the airstrips in the Imphal Valley, he will have done serious damage and be able to harass Stilwell's supply route...
...outcome of the battle for Imphal could not be judged last week. The British were optimistic. In India General Auchinleck blandly announced: "Our commanders have no intention that Imphal should fall into the enemy's hands." Pessimists, remembering the optimism of Singapore, wished he had said nothing. But American observers on the scene were also inclined to think that Kawabe might have overreached himself...
...Delhi wag suggested: "It looks like a swap. The Japanese will get India and the Allies will get Burma." But even if Stilwell should be cut off by the Japanese thrust at Imphal, it might be possible to supply him by air, although with great difficulty during the monsoon. Much worse would be the very serious reduction, if not elimination, of supplies for China over the Hump...
...only a short 50 miles behind Imphal runs the little narrow-gauge railroad which was built to connect the tea plantations of Assam with the outer world. The over burdened single track now carries all the supplies for General Stilwell's front, plus goods for delivery to northern Assam airfields, for transport over the Hump to China. If Kawabe cuts this railroad, he will have fixed Stilwell exactly as Wingate's Raiders have fixed the Japanese opposing Stilwell-cut them off from their bases...