Several types of Japanese artillery, captured during recent fighting at Bishenpur and Ukhrul, are exhibited at the HQ of 20th Indian Division.

Footage showing artillery pieces with demonstrations and close-ups of their various sighting adjustments, breech mechanisms, etc. Artillery types are as follows: Type 94 90mm mortar, captured near Ukhrul. 47mm anti-tank gun (presumably Type 1) captured at Khoigumn (?) near Bishenpur. 37mm Type 1 anti-tank gun captured on Palel-Tamu road. 75mm Infantry Gun captured in Ukhrul area. 70mm Battalion Gun captured at Ukhrul. A 75mm gun, captured in the Ukhrul area, described as 'very primitive and old' on the dopesheet.

Notes

Dopesheet notes that the occasion for this exhibition was a vist by Field Marshal Archibald Wavell, Viceroy of India. Wavell's tour of inspection can be seen in the film referenced below. See related items.

In March 1944 the Japanese launched a daring but risky invasion of India named Operation U-Go. This prompted two epic battles at Imphal and Kohima but ultimately failed partly due to the Japanese inability to maintain their forces in the field. The remnants of 15th and 31st Japanese Divisions fell back towards the River Chindwin via Ukhrul, but were encircled and destroyed in the first week of July 1944, in a battle characterised by an appalling combination of poor weather, near impossible terrain and disease. In the process the two Japanese divisions lost all of their guns and transport, resulting in many of the examples seen here.