Introduction
Love stories of army officers have often ended in tragedy but then whosoever wore the uniform he accepted the risk of being killed. Between January 1944 and March 1944, my battalion lost 8 officers (Lt Col ROUSE, Maj UWINS, Maj BURFIELD, Maj OAKES, Lt TAREEN, Lt BROWN, Lt GRAHAM and Lt TOWERS), the rest were all wounded. Some were married, had children, some were engaged and some had girl friends. They used to receive letters replete with love and promises of a sweet future. Alas! War is very cruel where bullets, shells and bombs dominate – mercy abandons the arena of battlefield.
In this article I am going to narrate the love story of an army officer that is full of hopes and fears. Our learned readers will know how it ended after reading this article.
Journey MEERUT to DIMAPUR (MANIPUR ROAD)
While on leave during the last week of April 1944, I shifted the Battalion heavy baggage from RANCHI to MEERUT (2nd Punjab Regiment Centre) as ordered and joined the Battalion operating against the enemy of KOMIMA – IMPHAL front. My seat at MEERUT was booked in a mail train to HOWRAH and from there across the river GANGES (HOOGLI) I was to travel in a train (partly military special and also carrying civilian passengers) to DIMAPUR via DHUBRI-GAUHATI-LUMDING. Lt KRISHEN was also travelling in the same compartment. He belonged to RIASC (Royal Indian Army Service Corps). He had been posted from the RIASC center in MEERUT to join a transport unit located on DIMAPUR-KOHIMA road. This was his first posting on active service. All his family members and some friends had come to see him off. His mother kissed him and embraced with tears in her eyes; this reminded me of my mother who, while embracing me, showered upon me prayers from her heart at the time of my departure. Soon we became friendly. He belonged to MEERUT, spoke excellent Urdu and frequently recited poetry of GHALIB and other renowned poets. He was not married but was in search of a life partner who was beautiful, educated and belonging to a respectable family. Our compartment had six berths, two were in our possession, the remaining were booked from CAWNPORE in the name of Mr. RAO (real name not remembered) and family. I joking said to him they were ‘your in-laws’ at which we both laughed. But my words were to prove ominous.
Since I had war experience he asked if the service corps personnel were actually involved in fighting and how far back they had been kept? I told him during the battle of ADMIN BOX (ARAKAN) all the service units (RIASC, ORDNANCE, EME) were deployed on the perimeter, they fought and suffered casualties. Even muleteers, drivers, signalers, clerks and cooks were holding front trenches. Those who were in the rear areas also suffered casualties from enemy bombing, strafing and shelling of long range guns. But every bullet has its billet, it has been appointed beforehand by fate which soldiers would fall in battle. I added that majority of soldiers had returned alive and even those who were wound, after receiving treatment, joined their units in battle. On hearing these words a visible wave of sadness crept over Krishen’s face.
CAWNPORE was about 250 miles from MEERUT and CALCUTTA was a further 500 miles away. From CALCUTTA our destination, DIMAPUR was about 625 miles. As it had become dark we went to sleep and the train reached CAWNPORE before sunrise. On hearing knocking on the door, we opened it and saw the train conductor standing next to the passengers whose seats were booked in our compartment. We welcomed them, Mr. RAO was about 45 years old, his wife was dressed in sari and was graceful and a young charming girl, dressed in shalwar and shirt was holding the hand of an 8 years old boy, obviously her brother. We shook hands with the gentleman who was the senior traffic control officer of the railways, was posted to DIMAPUR (Eastern Railway) as Controller of the railway traffic from DHUBRI-GAUHATI-LUMDING-DIMAPUR-JORHAT-LEDO, and down in the south up to BADARPUR junction. He mentioned that he had also served as a junior traffic officer between 1940-41 in that sector. Owing to poor operational standards and lack of stations and terminal facilities, had very limited capacity to convey military stores (tanks, vehicles, trailers, guns, ammunition, rations, etc) serving troops in Central Burma and serving North Burma and China. The minimum requirement was about 1500 tons a day but it was to be increased to at least 2500 tons by running more goods trains. About 6000 labourers and 4200 engineers (mostly American) were engaged in reinforcing the railway tracks, laying new tracks, providing terminal facilities and constructing bridges, culverts and new stations with long sidings. We admired his knowledge and wished him luck in his new venture.
During conversation with Mr. Rao, I observed that Lt K (Krishen) took little interest but kept on looking stealthily towards ARUNA (their attractive daughter) who remained busy in reading ‘The Illustrated Weekly of India.” While Mrs. Rao opened her silver white PANDAN and started chewing PAN, she offered cardamom and sweet areca nuts coated with silver covering to both of us which we accepted with thanks.
Mr. Rao asked me about the situation of the front and if DIMAPUR and other communication centres were within bombing and artillery range of the enemy. I told him that I had fought the enemy continuously for over five months on the ARAKAN front, was sent on leave but now was being transferred to join my battalion on KOHIMA-INPHAL front where according to reports heavy fighting was in progress. Long range guns of the enemy were shelling targets on KOHIMA-DIMAPUR road. DIMAPUR was only 30 miles from KOHIMA but the enemy had failed to send troops to capture DIMAPUR, even long range fighting patrols were not sent. According to the press and radio reports the enemy aircrafts were bombing and strafing rear areas such as DIMAPUR, LUMDING and some other railway stations but the damage was negligible. All hospitals in the area were receiving battle casualties. Own reinforcements were being dispatched by special trains and also flown out from other sectors. On listening to my conversation Mr. Rao said as a Rajput he would do his best to carry out the duties as he was not afraid to face danger. Even the ladies said they would remain at DIMAPUR, the young lad held the hand of his father and said he would also accompany his parents. Mr. Rao said that Mrs. Rao was also from Rajput family because they prefer to marry in any Rajput sub-caste. According to Mr. Rao his great grandfather and uncles had been fighting against the British during 1957 – the War of Independence and had sided with the great freedom fighter, TANTIA TOPA and some of them even migrated with him to NEPAL. We admired their courage and promised to remain in contact and to also visit them DIMAPUR whenever we got the opportunity. ‘K’ said he would be visiting DIMAPUR often on duty and would call on them. I informed Mr. Rao that all the educational institutes of the border areas had been closed and were likely to open after the monsoon. He said Aruna would join her college studies at GAUHATI and live in the hostel.
At ALLAHABAD station about 30 half naked SADHUS rushed to find seats in one of the train compartment. Myself and ‘K’ had come out to buy guavas that were decorated with red roses. When we returned to our compartment we found two ferocious looking SADHUS sitting on our seats. Mr. Rao said they had forced their entry into the compartment despite his refusal. The entire compartment was full of an obnoxious smell and the ladies were feeling particularly uncomfortable. My pistol was hanging from my belt; I told them to vacate our seats and find some other place but they stubbornly refused. We then both pulled their arms and dragged them up to the door; thankfully the train guard arrived with two railway policemen and took them away. At BANARAS Railway Station all SADUHS got down and disappeared. Aruna went to the platform to buy SANCHI PAN, cardamom and sweet areca nuts. I winked at ‘K’ to go and help Aruna. I selected two Banarasi dupattas for the ladies from the gift stall. I saw ‘K’ exchanging a few words with Aruna; it was a happy augury – during those few hours ‘K’ had become interested in Aruna. Mrs. Rao thanked us for the gifts but affectionately scolded us and said it was the prerogative of elders to offer presents to well wishers like you. The journey in your company would remain a memorable event.
After tea Mr. Rao opened his machine of ‘His Master’s Voice’ gramophone and asked if were would like to listen to any songs of famous singers. We wholeheartedly accepted his offer and helped by Aruna he played the songs of SEHGAL, PANKHAK MALIK, KC DAY(the blind singer and music director), KANAN DAVI, KHURSHEED BEGUM, JUTIKA ROY, ZOHRA BAI, AKTARI BAI, TALAT MAHMUD, etc. At ASANSOL we enjoyed our dinner with the Rao family and despite the fact that I was a Muslim they unhesitantly allowed me to share their meal. The halwa, puri and vegetable curry were delicious and had been prepared by Mrs. Rao before entraining at CAWNPORE. We reached HOWRA at about 2100 hours, crossed the HOOGLI, spend the night in the waiting room of SIALDA. The Rao family was allotted accommodation in the retiring room. Our seats were booked in the train proceeding to GAUHATI the next morning. The Rao family was also travelling in the next compartment.
‘K’ mentioned to me in confidence that he had started liking Aruna but he belonged to MEHTA sub-caste and was not a Rajput. I advised him to consult his parents who should then request for her hand in marriage. But he was doubtful that his parents would support him because they first desired to marry ‘K’s sister. His father was an advocate and the major part of his income was being spent on raising a dowry that would be commensurate with the status of the would-be-in laws of his sister. K had also been told to contribute from his savings. Even his uncle (elder brother of his father), Mr. Mehta who was the treasury officer of Ferozepur was also frequently helping out. Interrupting him, I asked if his uncle’s daughter BIMLA MEHTA was a student of RSD College, Ferozepur. He was surprised to hear the name of his cousin sister; BIMLA it turned out had been my class fellow in FA and B.A. ‘What a pleasant surprise’, we both exclaimed and warmly shook hands to celebrate this piece of ‘news’. They had been living in a house inside a garden opposite our house in Circular Road. I advised ‘K’ it was too early to given any indication to the RAO family about his interest in Aruna.
Enroute at about 1100 hours Rao’s young son came and invited us to come to their compartment. We went to their compartment where they had ordered tea and Mrs. Rao opened a few earthen bowls full of RASO MALAI, GULAB JAMAN, mango pickle and puris. We had bought a dozen boiled eggs being sold by locals at the platform. Mrs. Rao told us that most of the eggs were of turtles (tortoise) and being cheap, people were buying them like hot cakes. We had tea and the sumptuous sweets presented by Mrs. Rao. Next morning we crossed GAUHATI and after few hours reached LUMDING where a railway carriage of goods train was seen on fire. The Jamadar (RIASC) in charge informed that two enemy fighter aircraft had appeared from the East and strafed the railway station area but only one carriage loaded with ordnance store was hit because the anti-aircraft guns and two machine guns deployed in the area had forced them to retire. He also mentioned that the same aircraft had strafed DIMAPUR railway station but the damage there was negligible. Mr. Rao said they would face the hazard like those who were already present there.
DIMAPUR Railway Station
On 29th April 1944 the train reached DIMAPUR at midday where the activities of the railway staff were in full swing. Stores and supplies were briskly unloaded and loaded in the waiting military vehicles for onward dispatch to KOHIMA-IMPHAL front. No vehicle movement was allowed on the DIMAPUR-KOHIMA road during day because the visible portion of the road was being subjected to harassing artillery fire by the enemy long range guns. Only some jeeps carrying most urgent items (including signal sets and life saving medicine) would manage to sneak through at top speed.
Strangely there was no sign of panic despite the fact that the enemy presence was reported to be only 20 to 25 miles away from DIMAPUR. Rumour about an expected enemy attack on DIMAPUR had spread like wildfire and was being freely discussed by railway personnel and soldiers on duty. They were preparing themselves to combat the expected onslaught and were armed with weapons. We were informed that the defence of the railway station area had been entrusted to all the detachments of administrative units.
(Supply, Transport, Ordnance, Engineer and even Medical) who had dug trenches facing the likely approach of the enemy. OC Transit Camp had been appointed as the commander of the defence. In the meantime, some road blocks had been cleared on DIMAPUR-KOHIMA road by a brigade of the 2nd British Division after intense fighting in which both sides had suffered casualties. The presence of Mr. Rao had enhanced the morale of the railway personnel. During our stay of 2 hours the enemy aircraft had strafed the railway station area and couple of goods wagons had been damaged but the anti aircraft guns had forced the aircraft to disappear quickly.
We reported our arrival to the OC Transit Camp who ordered us to join the night convoy proceeding to unload supplies and stores in the forward concentration area of the units fighting on DIMAPUR-KOHIMA road. ‘K’ was appointed in-charge of the convoy of vehicles, his own unit was located a few miles away from the railway station on DIMAPUR-KOHIMA road. The vehicles under his command remained dispersed under trees during day time so as not to be visible from the air. I reported to a unit of 2nd British Division for temporary attachment. The enemy long range artillery guns often shelled the visible portion of the road during day time because of which most of the movement of troops and vehicles took place during dark hours. During my few days attachment with the British Battalion, the conversation of the sergeants with lower ranks increased my vocabulary of slang (abusive words starting with S, B and F – these were used in abundance). I thought the OTS MHOW British Sergeant instructors were more civilized because they often shouted ‘You bloody fool Sir!’
I met ‘K’ only once in the dumping area where he had brought supplies and stores. He had managed to meet the RAO family members twice; Aruna had agreed with the permission of her mother to receive his letters. I congratulated him and suggested that his parents should now establish contact with RAO and family by visiting them at DIMAPUR. He requested me that as a class fellow of BIMLA MEHTA I should write a letter to his parents and inform them of his interest in Aruna and the status of the RAO family. I agreed but told him firmly that there would be no demand for dowry or cash by his parents; I also said that as and when his parents visit the RAOs I would try to come, circumstances permitting.
I joined my unit on or about 19 May 1944 operating on KOHIMA-JASSAMI road opposite the NAGA village. On 24 May I participated in an action for clearing TREASURY HILL (KOHIMA area) which was held by the enemy. The enemy was suffering casualties and immense losses of arms and equipment. The rainy season had also increased their misery because against their calculations and appreciation the Allied forces had continued aggressive offensive action and cleared UKHRUL, the most important focal point of all communication in the north and north-east of IMPHAL. The area north of the SILCHAR-BISHENPUR track was also cleared. The 5th Indian Division, the 17th Division, the 20th Division, the 23rd Division and the LUSHAI Brigade were involved in fighting against the Japanese 31 Division, 15 Division, 33 Division and the 33 Divisional Infantry Group around TAMU and PALEL areas. Most of the Allied formations were being supplied by air and allied aircraft were strafing and bombing the enemy positions and retreating columns and creating havoc. The exact total of enemy casualties in the battle of IMPHAL Plain is not known but their three divisions and the INA Division, all suffered very severely. 13500 dead were counted but these included did not include losses by air action or the wounded of whom the greater part had died. It was estimated that between mid-March and mid-June the enemy had lost over 30000 soldiers, and among a large amount of equipment nearly 100 guns were captured. About 100 prisoners, mostly wounded and sick, had surrendered.
I received a letter from ‘K’, delivered by a soldier during the first week of June 1944 and came to know the his parents had visited DIMAPUR. He wrote that the matter of matrimonial alliance was discussed in a cordial atmosphere but Mr. RAO desired some time to discuss it with his elders and close relatives; ARUNA appeared happy at the proceedings. After a few days I came to know the ‘K’ was hit in the leg by a splinter of enemy shell while unloading supplies a few miles short of KOHIMA and was evacuated to the Main Dressing Station in DIMAPUR. The message also conveyed that during his stay of two days in the MDS the RAO family members had frequently visited him and prayed for his rapid recovery. As the wound was serious he was dispatched to GAUHATI but soon had to be evacuated to a hospital in MEERUT, where after a few weeks of treatment, he was declared category ‘C’ temporary for 6 months and posted to the RIASC Centre MEERUT for performing office duties.
During the first week of August 1944 my battalion (7/2 Punjab) alongwith some other units was withdrawn for rest in the plains of KOHIMA. The plain was surrounded by high green hills over which clouds often floated and the appearance of rainbow and the fragrance of wild flowers were a source of great delight. During the day weapon training and training of minor tactics was carried out whereas games were played in the evenings. Casual leave was opened and I was granted 10 days plus 5 days joining period. I left KOHIMA camp in a vehicle and reached DIMAPUR in the evening and met the members of RAO’s family. I was entertained with a lavish dinner. Mrs. RAO informed me that she had visited ‘K’s parent in MEERUT and ‘K’ was rapidly recovering. I had taken an empty brass shell of 25 pounder gun and a few heavy machine gun empty casings fired by the enemy aircraft as a present to be kept as souvenir to remind them of their stay in DIMAPUR. I prayed for the success of ARUNA and L’s matrimonial alliance. According to Mrs. RAO she was impressed by the cordial welcome given to her on her visit to “K’s parents and presents given to all family members, including myself. My present was a set of Parker pen which was duly handed over to me.
Next morning I left DIMAPUR and reached MEERUT by train and partly by streamer after a hectic journey of 36 hours. I met ‘K’ and his parents and congratulated them on the selection of Aruna. I then caught a mail train at night and reached my home town next morning – a pleasant surprise for my family members. I avoided replying my mother’s query about the hazards of war and instead hugged her and said “it was the shield of your prayers which always protected me.” When it was time for me to return to duty, my mother gave me a packed to be delivered to Aruna and showered upon me heartfelt prayers for my long life and happiness.
After about 36 hours hectic journey I reached DIMAPUR, met the RAO family and delivered my mother’s present and packet given to me by ‘K’ for Aruna. As the Japanese had been completed defeated in the battles of KOHIMA, UKHRUL and IMPHAL, complete calmness was prevailing in DIMAPUR. However the traffic goods train had increased which were bringing supplies, stores, ammunition, guns and even railway engines for the expected offensive of the 14th Army in central Burma and beyond.
I joined my unit in KOHIMA which had been assigned the role of RECCE regiment of the division. A brigade of the 7th Division had already moved to TAMU. By the middle of December 1944 the Supreme Commander (Lord LOUIS MOUNTBATTEN) visited the Division and held an investiture on the small air landing ground. The ceremony marked the end of our rest period and within days convoys full of troops and supplies, etc moved through the hilly jungle terrain towards the CHINDWIN River and IRRAWADY river. I have already written in previous article about the march approach to the rivers, crossing of the same and the fighting.
I had lost touch with ‘K’ but soon after the end of the war I got a letter saying that he was married to Aruna and living happily.
The above is mostly based on my memory.
