Kanglatongbi War Memorial, Kanglatongbi
In early April 1944, the Imperial Japanese Army were moving south on the Imphal-Kohima Road in their bid to capture the city of Imphal from the Allied forces. Along the same road, the 221 Advance Ordnance Depot of the British Army were stationed in the area of Kangla Tongbi. Led by Major Boyd, the small group of soldiers were able to halt the advance of the Japanese troops by three days, a time-frame that allowed the removal of almost 4,000 tons of Allied arms and ammunition out of the battle zone. Considered to be one of the boldest battles British troops were involved in during World War II, three significant medals were awarded to men involved, including the Military Cross, the Military Medal and the Indian Distinguished Service Medal.
Originally erected in 1946 from local naga stone, the Kanglatongbi War Memorial commemorates the men of the 221 Advance Ordnance Depot who lost their lives during the Battle of Imphal. In 2011, the Indian Army renovated and re-dedicated a new war memorial at the same site. In 2014, a 70th Anniversary commemoration ceremony of the Battle of Kanglatongbi was organised by the Manipur Tourism Forum and the World War II Imphal Campaign Foundation. Members of the Indian military forces attended the service along with local villagers. It has been said, that is it is still tradition today for young Advance Ordnance Corps officers to first visit the Kanglatongbi Memorial upon their commissioning.