Discarded Japanese equipment on 'Malta Hill' seen from 'Scraggy' hill, Burma, 1944

Photograph, World War Two, Far East, 1944.

'Scraggy' was the British nickname for one of the hills of the 5,000 foot-high Shenam Saddle which was the scene of intense fighting during the Japanese drive along the Patel road towards Imphal in April 1944. The position was a labyrinth of bunkers; trees were reduced to shattered trunks and the hillsides turned into barren wastes by artillery fire. The result was a field of battle reminiscent of the worst fighting on the Somme during World War One.

From a collection of 48 photographs relating to the Burma campaign.