(This ebook contains a limited number of illustrations. Maps are best viewed on a tablet.) The epic story of one of the most savage battles of the Second World War. Kohima. In this remote Indian village near the border with Burma, a tiny force of British and Indian troops faced the might of the Imperial Japanese Army. Outnumbered ten to one, the defenders fought the Japanese hand to hand in a … to hand in a battle that was amongst the most savage in modern warfare.
A garrison of no more than 1,500 fighting men, desperately short of water and with the wounded compelled to lie in the open, faced a force of 15,000 Japanese. They held the pass and prevented a Japanese victory that would have proved disastrous for the British. Another six weeks of bitter fighting followed as British and Indian reinforcements strove to drive the enemy out of India. When the battle was over, a Japanese army that had invaded India on a mission of imperial conquest had suffered the worst defeat in its history. Thousands of men lay dead on a devastated landscape, while tens of thousands more Japanese starved in a catastrophic retreat eastwards. They called the journey back to Burma the ‘Road of Bones’, as friends and comrades committed suicide or dropped dead from hunger along the jungle paths.
Fergal Keane has reported for the BBC from conflicts on every continent over the past 25 years, and he brings to this work of history not only rigorous scholarship but a raw understanding of the pitiless nature of war. It is a story filled with vivid characters: the millionaire’s son who refused a commission and was awarded a VC for his sacrifice in battle, the Roedean debutante who led a guerrilla band in the jungle, and the General who defied the orders of a hated superior in order to save the lives of his men. Based on original research in Japan, Britain and India, ‘Road of Bones’ is a story about extraordinary courage and the folly of imperial dreams.
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This was a great read. Not the easiest, but well worth the effort.
Brings to life a pivotal battle of WWII that is little known in the US.
Excellent book on the Far Eastern Campaign of World War II.
As a Veteran of the Viet Nam war this book made me appreciate the freedoms we have because of the sacrifices our British Brothers in arms gave in this almost forgotten part of WWII. If the enemy didn’t get you the jungle exposure would. Msgt Denis L Neal USAF Ret
Haunting story of the Pacific war that has rarely been told and the hero’s who fought there. British and Indian soldiers fought a monumental battle
great detail packed history
Outstanding detailed history of a less-publicized corner of WWII. Captures the conflicting and contradictory images of horror, courage, cowardice, heroism, grandeur, pettiness, brutality, compassion, skill, incompetence and honor on both sides. A truly outstanding work. Highly recommended.
I am a retired soldier. I want to read about soldiers of other times
I learned something about a battle that I knew nothing about. Good read
Good history of the Japanese attack into India during WW2 and the British
, Indian and Chindit forces that opposed them.
Excellent description of a little known, but important part of the war against imperial Japan.
I found it hard to put down. Heroism and self sacrifice drip from every page. If you like WW2 accounts, this one is fascinating and informative.
As retired military I enjoyed – if that’s the right word for a horrible battle – this book. Like most people I had never heard of the battle of Kohima (India) in WWII. This a very complete and terrifying account of that battle, one the worst defeats that the Japanese army suffered in WWII. Excellent read for those interested in military history.
Excellent military history on a little studied campaign. An easy read. Just wish it had better maps for those who are not familiar with this area of WW2. Particularly liked the telling of Japanese side of the battle. Brings to life the Japanese experiences. Highly recommended.
Most informative chronicle of a relatively unknown portion of events and people in the Pacific war.
a great depiction of a little known corner of the war.
Great book about a WWII battle that few people know about, but had a big impact on the war.
This is the reason the world is free, because of men like the ones in this book.
What they went through so we can enjoy the life we have today.
The author was great in describing the events that took place, in fact I had to look up once in a while, to make sure I was not in the action.
His research into this novel was exceptional.
This is a long, drug out lament of British colonialism and racism. I couldn’t stay with it long enough for the siege to begin.
Excellent description of a less well- known but important and bloody WWII campaign in Burma on the Indian border. The battles, logistic considers, and politics are all woven into an exciting and informative narrative. The only criticism I have is that the book could be even better with clear, readable, easy to gollow maps.
A sad story of war, told from both sides.