A Gurkha examines a Japanese bunker, 'Scraggy' hill, 1944

Photograph, World War Two, Far East (1941-1945), 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.