I wonder if those who remember D-Day 60 years ago ever give a thought to the forgotten 14th Army of British, Indian and Gurka troops who had scored a first major victory at Kohima over the Japanese.

It was not only the Japanese under General Satu who were defeated, it was the critical battle of the Far East war.

The Japanese had suddenly attacked so that they could reach Delhi and take over India to honour their Emperor for his birthday. After that, although they fought to the end and were still in the Arakan, they were in retreat everywhere and still fought many rearguard actions.

The Japanese had attacked at Kohima 6000 feet up in the mountains before the monsoon, not knowing that the British had been ordered by the brass hats in Delhi to withdraw from Kohima to Dimapor, a vast British supply depot on the plains. But the Royal West Kents and others were still there and fought nearly to the end until reinforcements in the shape of the 2nd Division arrived, fighting its way through road blocks well below Kohima.

The brass hats in Delhi spilt their gin and tonics in anger that the withdrawal had not taken place - they were sure Kohima could not be saved. But General Slim was now in charge and a different attitude prevailed - no withdrawal.

I and other members of the Burma Star Association will never forget this. Some skirmishes still took place and we lived on air drops but the worst was over until the monsoon started. Then our only cover were the tank tarpaulins.

Peter Briant

-Preston Road, Brighton