Timeline - A Window into the Early Showa Period




			Japanese forces began their advance on Imphal on March 8, 1944. The purpose of this operation was to cut off the Allied supply route to Chiang Kai-Shek and incite anti-British movements in British-ruled India. The Japanese Fifteenth Army led by Lieutenant General Renya Mutaguchi advanced on Imphal, which stretched from Burma to eastern India, in collaboration with the Indian National Army. However, the operation failed when they were unable to secure adequate supplies. More than 30,000 were killed in the ensuing counteroffensive by British forces, while over 20,000 died of illness and starvation.

			Documents 1 and 2 are issues of Shashin Shuho (No. 315 and 317) that were published shortly after the Battle of Imphal began. These issues feature articles that cover the seizure of Kohima by Japanese forces and the quick progress of their advance together with the Indian National Army. Document 3 is issue No. 323 of Shashin Shuho, which was published on May 31, 1944. This particular issue contains the final article about the Battle of Imphal. The article touts the “brilliant achievements of the Japanese forces” in the face of the enemy’s “frantic efforts” in the final stage of the Imphal encirclement operation. However, this article provides a more reserved description of the enemy’s movements than is seen in Documents 1 and 2. Documents 1 : A06031091000　Shashin Shuho (Weekly Photographical Journal) No. 315 Documents 2 : A06031091200　Shashin Shuho (Weekly Photographical Journal) No. 317 Documents 3 : A06031091800　Shashin Shuho (Weekly Photographical Journal) No. 323