The British Guerrilla Force During INA-Japanese Imphal Campaign: a Case Study on V-Force in Manipur
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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in The British Guerrilla Force during INA-Japanese Imphal Campaign: A Case Study on V-Force in Manipur Onkholun Haokip Associate Professor, Presidency Collage, Motbung, Manipur, India Abstract : The “V” Force (Victor/Victory Force) a under Brigadier A. Felix Williams and on the guerrilla organization, formed by the British in 1942, foundation of platoons loaned from the Assam Rifles a enrolled from native hill people, responsible for force of five military police battalions, composed of jungle surveillance over the presence and activities Gurkhas under British officers seconded from the of Japanese army and I.N.A., at the eve of Imphal Indian Army, “V” Force was established. campaign. It was also called stay behind force to harass the lines of enemy communications with 3. Structure ambushes and sabotage, and to provide information The “V” Force were divided into six command from behind enemy lines to the main force of IV area under IV Corps and XV Corps : Corps. The British employed these guerrilla forces I. Ledo Naga Area with HQ at Ledo under Lieut- from Arakan to Manipur border. Many died from Colonel Pozey for operations east, south and south- joining “V” Force and they remained out of eastward from Ledo under North Assam Brigade. remembrance in the history of Imphal campaign, but II. Kohima Naga Area with HQ at Kohima under they stood at the most grievous location in the midst Lieut-Colonel Lightfoot under Kohima Brigade for of thicket jungle. This article focus to recalled back operations east and south from Manipur. their contribution. III. Kuki Area with HQ at Imphal, under Lieut- Colonel E. Murray for operation south, east and Key Words :A. Felix Williams, April,1942, Assam south-westward from Shugunu under G.O.C., 23 Rifles, Second World War. Division. IV. Lushai Area with HQ at Aizawl under Lieut- Colonel Cuerdon, 109 Infantry Brigade for south, 1. Introduction south-east and south-westwards from Aizawl. In 1942 the Japanese army pushed the British force V. Tripura Area with HQ at Agartala under out of Burma to Imphal. On the other side the British Lieut-Colonel Haswell for operation south and south- force prepared to recaptured Burma from India. At the eastwards of Tripura under G.O.C. 14 Division same time Japanese army and I.N.A., prepared to VI. The Chin Area Command with HQ at Falam invade India in 1944. Both the Japanese army and was located under the XV Corps area. British had to crossed layers of high mountainous area to captured their destination. These mountainous area 4. Assignment is located between Kaboo valley of Burma and Imphal - to undertake guerrilla operations against the valley, occupied by native hill people Kukis and Japanese lines of communications, when they pass Nagas. The native people knew well the topographical through the area. condition of these area. Therefore, their help and - to harassed the Japanese and INA in the jungle guidance were needed to cross those thicket jungle - to sent enemy’s position and location to IV Corps and to locate the enemy’s position and location. Thus - to facilitated the movement of main force in the both Japanese-INA and British employed the native jungle as guide people in guerrilla network. As of such, in April, 1942 A. Felix Williams, formerly the commander of the 6. Enrolled “V” Force Members Tochi Scouts, a para- military unit on the North-west The name of the hill people, who joined “V” Force Frontier, founded V-Force to harass Japanese lines of are mentioned below : communications with ambushes and sabotage, and to 6. A. CHAMMU AREA provide information from behind enemy lines, at the Sl ratio of 200 tribesmen to one British officer. No N A M E VILLAGE REMARKS 2. Formation Shomkhothang, Koltan The first to cross 1 Kuki Group River Chindwin In 1942 the Japanese army repelled the British Commander with Captain Moran Army from Burma and seemed likely to invade India, in 1942, always General Sir Archibald Wavell, commander in chief in active India ordered the creation of a guerrilla organization Inchisung Bongpa Most capable Group to be recruited from local people; to operate along the 2 Tangkhul, Major, one of the frontier between India and Burma. Thus in April,1942 Group Major first to join “V” Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 2315 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in Force 24 Henkhosei Kuki Khenjoi Do Chitholeng Do First class in 3 25 Jampao Do Organizing whole Tangkhul patrolling, killed 5 group Japs Yangshi Shiroi Responsible to 4 Heileng Tangkhul Do He killed 3 Japs 26 Tangkhul hara- Kadohi Tangkhul Do This boy gave first 5 information of enemy ssing Japs in the convoy in Kamjong area area in June, 1944 Khasung Punshin Responsible to 27 Captured 27 JIFFs Tangkhul g harassing Japs in after killing Jap Section Comdr the Pushing area Officer. Khaso Tangkhul Hundun Gave information Kallu Tangkhul Do Save “V” Force ration 28 6 Group Comdr g and ration to our and ammunition from group Japs. Luisang Do Gave information Chunglet Kuki. Chassad Saved Lieut Taylor. 29 7 Group commander Only loyal Kuki in Tangkhul Chinaochung Tungou Gave information Chassad 30 Douhem Molvailup Remained loyal Tangkhul 8 throughout Vareisui Do Gave information 31 Linko Tangkhul Kongkal First class guide Tangkhul and supplied guides 9 throughout to our troops during Angouching battle Songphel attack in Changproi Phenge Saved Captain Fraser April, 44 10 Tangkhul Smith and Lieut. Ngazam Tangkhul Ukhrul Gave information Taylor 32 Naipaleng Tusom Captured one Jifs Group Commr on enemy in May 11 Tangkhul officer and June Yorching Do Organize for Lengdo Tangkhul Loushing Killed 5 Japs. 33 12 Tangkhul information Nganaungai Marou Responsible for Group Comdr 13 Tangkhul guarding and Ruichumhao Do Gave information rationing behind the 34 Japs advance in Tangkhul and supplied Imphal guides Napileng Do Harrasing Japs in Mishivan Do Responsible for 14 35 Tangkhul May, June and Tangkhul enrolling in “V” July Force Ngamjatong Singkap Loyal throughout, Chinaongai Do Information 15 36 Kuki killed 1 Jap Tangkhul guides and rescue Kochainang Most helful guide Kuingai Phadan Information and 16 37 Tangkhul Yongph in April, 1944 Tangkhul g guides Malungring Somdal Sent scouts to u 38 Mayarjung Koushou Brought 1 B.O.R, Tangkhul Chassad area 17 Tangkhul through Jap lines. 6. B. NAMBASHI SUB AREA Thainga Tangkhul Do Always active Lamkhothang Bongbal Right hand man 18 39 Section Comr. kuki Group Khullen in the area Kashikhui Responsible for 19 Major Tangkhul, Shangshak reorganization of Seitinpao Kuki Phailengjan Managed his 40 Section Comr. “V” Force in Group Comdr g group well Shangshak area Manungai Irong One of the Nganaongai Do Assistant to 41 20 Tangkhul Section Tangkhul, Asst Kashikhui Section Comdr Commander to Seipo Tangkhul Apong Always on patrol 21 go into Chindwin during Japs area present Ngultinpao Phailengjan Always active on Ungapai Goda 42 22 Several times Group Commdr. g patrol Tangkhul passed 43 Demkhohem Kuki Sanaching Great help information Douthang Kuki Molnom Save his 44 Section Comdr section’s gun 23 Pakang Kuki Khotuh Remained loyal from Japs when Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 2316 Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in demanded Section Comdr Dalsang Tangkhul Kasung First to go down to 76 Sohol Sebong DO 45 Section Comdr Chindwin river in 6. C. MOMBI AREA 1942 Lenthang Section Phaijang Informer in 46 Commander Kangpat area Thampan Group Khobung Several times in Ngulkhohem Kuki Kongbe Good in Nambashi 77 47 Mayor action with Japs Group Commander area Mono Group Do Always active Katungmo Tangkhul Sorte As above 78 48 Comdr Group Comdr. Bering Group Namphou As above Phunang Tangkhul Do Do 79 49 Comdr Group Commander Betham Group Phiranlehao Do Mipa Tangkhul Nambashi Escaped from Japs 80 50 Comdr Group Comdr. and brought Vummang Group Kongtal Loyal leader information 81 Comdr 51 Tepa Tangkhul Khonglo Killed 3 Japs Volsung Group Aman Took part in patrol Thohao Kuki Mollen Very loyal 82 52 comdr Section Comdr Thongjang Group Kultuk Have took 53 Chungkholet Kuki Galbung As above 83 comdr successful ambious Ngashihong Kasom Influence over 54 Thungdil Group Chandel Loyal leader Tangkhul Khullen other Tangkhul 84 Comdr 55 Tepa Group Comdr Sorte Fight Japs in the Chingpao Group Lhoukol Good informer area 85 Comdr Aphangza Tangkhul Tangkhul Work well 56 Vumon Group Semol The only loyal group Comdr Hundung 86 Comrdr Kuki Machileng Tangkhul Chongdan Exercise well 57 Thumthung Head Chandel Good service Group Comdr 87 Cleak Demkhokam Lhakhan Escaped from Japs 58 Angno Assistant Thorcham Took part in Group Comdr and brought 88 hazardous patrols information Angnew Quarter Khubongkh As above Nehkhokhai Kuki Lhakhan Good service 89 59 master ul Group Comdr Lomthung Section Namphou Good interpreter Lunhol Kamjong Good informer in 90 60 Comdr Kamjong area Heljachin Group Paldal Patrolled Manipur Pakang Kuki Sita Refused to joined 91 61 Comdr river day and night Group Comdr Japs Thonghem Semol Remained with the Yamjatong Kuki Do As above 92 62 Japs sent Ngamlapao Kuki Do Remained loyal in information 63 Benang Section Phiran Interpreter in Section Comdr Sita area 93 Mollun Group Darchin Right hand man in Comdr Khullen Kaboo valley 64 Shongthu Section Chalong Bringing Comdr Sita area 94 Holman Group Womko Gave much Comdr information from 65 Comdr information in Wantam area Korung Section Thorcham Good for duty Womko area 95 66 Kolok Group Comdr Darchin Captured by Japs Comdr Angul Phiran Reliable Angchare Section Larong Remained with the 96 67 comdr Japs and passed machete Renoul, Section Khobung Organized information to us 97 68 Mono Darchin Very active in Sita Comdr ambushes Ngamrung, Section K.