the Imphal operationwas the final offensive of the East Asia war which lasted from 15th March to 9 th July 1944. Japanese code name was operation U.
After the Provisional Govt of Free India moved into Burma for facilitating the joint operations of the INA and the Japanese Army, three battalions of the 15th Army were deployed on the left bank of Chindwin River. Of these the 31st division was deployed to attack Imphal from the east The 33rd division on the left wing had already crossed the River.The INA under the Command of Netaji was deployed for joint operations with the Japanese army. Emboldened by this success , the first line troops started on a march towards the Indo-Burma border at 9.30 p.m. on 15th March 1944. The INA finally crossed the border and set foot on Indian soil on 18th March 1944 - a red letter day.
Netaji announced this momentous news to the world. The statement issued in Rangoon on 22 March was lashed back to India.
Netaji made his proclamation to Indians in liberated territories on 4 April.
Netaji appointed Lt. Col. Chatterjee as the Governor of liberated India.
A Rani of Jhansi camp was opened in Rangoon and camps were opened all over East Asia for the speedy training of Indian civilian youth.
Netaji established his first National Bank of Azad Hind in Rangoon on 5 April, and the same day he left for the fighting front and moved his headquarters nearer the firing line. This time he took with him a contingent of fully trained and equipped Ranis of Jhansis. This time Japan presented Netaji with an Aeroplane. Netaji proceeded to Maymyo shifting a part of the Provisional Govt. of Free India.
On 8 April, the Japanese Imperial General Headquarters made the following announcement regarding the military development in Burma ;
1. Our crack troops , fighting side by side with the Indian National Army, Captured Kohima early on 6 April,
2. Our attack on the enemy's airborne troops in the Kata area is moving along smoothly.
In the meantime, Indo-Japanese liberation operations came to a standstill , within three miles of Imphal. The monsoon had already set in The torrential rains of Burma cut off the supply lines of INA. As a result INA was ordered to withdraw. This debacle took place june-july 1944.suffering from acute malaria and dysentery, the wounded battle scarred heroes began trekking back to Mandalay and Rangoon.
Some soldiers of the INA Kiani Division operating to parel surendered to the enemy.
Netaji planned to reshuffle the Provisional govt into activities of liberated territories and the fighting division.
At the critical moment Netaji wrote a letter to Mahatma Gandhi apprising him of the situation. the message said , " after the sad demise of Shrimati Kasturba in British custody ...."
The war situation became worse in 18th July followed by the Govt. of Tojo.
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