Fragment of a Japanese flag, captured by Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's), Burma, 27 July 1944

Japanese flag with red sun on a white ground, surrounded by inscriptions in Japanese, World War Two, 1944 (c).

On 27th July 1944, the 1st Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders, part of the 1st Indian Brigade, 23rd Indian Division, attacked enemy positions at Lokchao Bridge during the advance on Tamu in north-west Burma by the British 33 Corps. In the fighting two of the Highlanders killed a Japanese soldier carrying this flag. As they could not decide which of them should keep it they tore it in half. Sadly, a few days later one of them was himself killed and his portion lost.