Operation U-Go 1944

Operation U-Go in March–June 1944 was the brainchild of Japanese Lieutenant-General Renya Mutaguchi who wanted to push towards the border between Burma and India in an attempt to cut the supply routes that passed through the towns of Imphal and Kohima and were used by the British forces in the area. The Japanese welcomed the involvement of the anti-British Indian National Army, which consisted of former Indian prisoners of war under the command of Subhan Chandra Bose, whose aim was to free India from British rule. The diversionary attack under Operation Ha-Go failed to draw British reserves southwards and Japanese offensives towards Imphal in March were unsuccessful at taking strategically important positions. Fierce fighting for Kohima also ended unsuccessfully for the Japanese troops who were severely weakened by shortages of food and rampant illness. The Japanese suffered up to 60,000 casualties, around three times the total number inflicted upon the Allies during their clashes.