A BATTALION IN BURMA Second Suffolk in Arakan and at Imphal, 1943–44

Between December 1943 and August 1944, the Second Suffolk, as part of the 5th (Indian) Division, played a key role in opposing the Japanese in Burma and later at the critical Battle of Imphal. The odds could hardly have been higher, nor the challenges greater. The Japanese had already earned a formidable and ruthless reputation, often described as fanatical.
The rugged jungle terrain over which the battalion fought was harsh and unforgiving, pushing all ranks to the limits of their physical and mental endurance. They also contended with a severe tropical climate and the extremes of the monsoon season. Together, these factors demanded the highest standards of leadership and discipline.
Supplies were often scarce; yet, despite these difficulties and the lack of recognition in the press at home, the morale of the steadfast Suffolk regulars and their newly drafted comrades remained high. They adapted, learning to fight the enemy on his own terms.
For over seventy-five years, their story has remained largely forgotten. Now, drawing on previously unpublished personal accounts and photographs, this book recounts the battalion’s outstanding service during the Burma Campaign.