I have been researching 189 HAA 67 HAA Regiment in Assam and Burma 1942/5. My Dad's photos show two locations that I'd like to identify. The railway station photo is probably one between Calcutta or Chittagon and Dimapur. The Fort photo is in India or Burma His Unit were certainly served in Clacutta, Dimapur, Mektila and Mandalay. Can anyone identlfy the locations so I can plan a visit. AlecG
The first one looks vaguely like a partial view of the Pumpkin Pagoda (Bupaya Pagoda) Pagan, Upper Burma: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pumpkin_Pagoda_-Bupaya_Pagoda-,_Pagan,_Upper_Burma.jpg It was destroyed by an earthquake in the 50's and rebuilt. This image is the new version. I was there briefly decades ago. Can't be much help I'm afraid. Hopefully someone else can nail this for you. Try a Google search for the Image, using the Burmese language mjəmà bàðà pronounced: myanma bhasa
Dear AlecG, The locals attire in that railway station look like Bengal. So the picture must be taken somewhere in Present Bangladesh or in west Bengal. regarding the fort, it looks more like the Red Fort, New Delhi or the fort at Agra, India. regards, Raj.
Alec, there was a Fort at Dimapur, so it is possible the photograph was taken there, given you know he was stationed there. 2 Chapters from "Marching on to Laffan's Plain" by Alan Shaw , from the website BBC- WW2 People’s War may be of interest. The author was an engineer in the Indian Army in the same region as your father. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/60/a3260260.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/30/a3260530.shtml Cheers Maureen
The fort at nichugard near dimapur was a mud fort , not a fort as shown in picture. Nowhere in North eastern India we will find such rock fort. The fort as shown in picture has an architectural touch of Mughals or architectures of 18th century. So my conclusion is, the picture was never taken in north east india ( Assam, dimapur, Manipur, kohima). The same is true for Burma. The Buddhist culture never have a Mughal type fort. Raj.
Thank you all so much for your suggestions and help. Further research confirms the first photo is the Red Fort - just not taken from one of the more popular aspects. And yes the railways staiion is no doubt somewher between Calcutta and Dimapur. Looks like I have to take the train myself!
