In March 1944, 90,000 Japanese troops massed on the Burma-India border, waiting for orders to move. Their target: the Indian city of Imphal, an important Allied logistic base. Ahead was the great Chindwin River, 600 meters wide in places, as well as a mountain range with many peaks over 2,000 meters. What lay out of sight was the overwhelming strength of the British Army and disease and starvation from a lack of reinforcements. Despite reservations within Army Headquarters, the operation moved forward.
As the "three-week decisive battle" envisioned by army top brass extended into months, the Japanese troops taking part in the "Battle of Imphal" soon realized they were in trouble. Disease and starvation set in when supplies and reinforcements failed to arrive. When the retreat order was given in July 1944, the real suffering still lay ahead. Completely cut off from provisions, survivors trudged through the wettest area on earth. 60% of the 30,000 who perished died after the operation was called off.