11th June 1944: British officer’s kukrie attack earns VCThe Japanese who were dug in along the banks of the road and in the jungle with machine guns and small arms, were putting up the most desperate resistance. As the platoon come within twenty yards of the Bridge, the enemy opened heavy and accurate fire, inflicting severe casualties and forcing the men to seek cover. Captain Allmand, however, with the utmost gallantry charged on by himself, hurling grenades into the enemy gun positions and killing three Japanese himself with his kukrie.

While the Normandy invasion captured the headlines distant battles in Burma continued without pause. On the 6th June British forces at Kohima discovered that the Japanese had finally abandoned their last positions.

Elsewhere the Chindits were ordered to attack north to take the pressure off the Chinese forces attacking south. By now the fighting strength of 77 (Long Range Penetration) Brigade was down from 3,500 men to 550. Malaria, typhus and malnutrition from continued action on the most basic of diets had taken their toll. As they advanced towards Mogaung there would be more casualties.

Within the Brigade were 6th Gurkha Rifles. Their British officers had also adopted the fearsome kukrie which the Gurkhas carried (and still carry) with them everywhere – and they knew how to use it, as recorded by the citation for the Victoria Cross for Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Michael Allmand: