The Lushai Brigade was an improvised fighting formation of the British Indian Army which was formed during World War II.
The Japanese did not try to cross the Lushai Hills, instead concentrating their force in this sector at Bishenpur, south of Imphal.
The brigade crossed the trackless hills on a wide front, during the worst of the monsoon rains.
As the monsoon ended, the brigade began moving south along the Gangaw Valley, to cover the right flank of Fourteenth Army.
The town of Gangaw, which was held by Japanese rearguards, was destroyed by heavy bombers before being occupied by the Brigade.