NAM.1982-06-58-88

Photograph entitled East African troops in Burma – the Fall of Kalewa – ‘Gateway to Central Burma’. The capture of Kalewa formed part of the advance down the Kabaw valley towards the Chindwin River. The terrain of the Kabaw valley proved a great hindrance to artillery, which often did not have the trajectory to clear the crests of steep sided ridges. Fields of fire were greatly restricted by the dense jungle and so the preparation of a gun position could take up to two days and often required the felling of trees and the building of log platforms upon which the guns would have to be positioned. The intense humidity also rendered range finding optical instruments and artillery shells unreliable. A 3.7-inch Howitzer is shown in action here. Typewritten inscription as title, and above photograph: '385'. Typed on caption below photograph: '385/28 (11). East African gunners, harried the Japanese defenders of the important strong-point, KALEWA. Here they are seen firing on the Jap. defences from a typical jungle position.' From photograph album of 190 photographs associated with 11th East African Division and the King’s African Rifles, Burma, 1944-1945. Associated with World War Two, Far East (1941-1945).

World War Two, Far East (1941-1945)