VETERANS of one of the most hard-fought battles of the Second World War gathered yesterday to remember thousands of their comrades who died 65 years ago.

More than 20 survivors of the Battle of Kohima gathered in York, to mark the anniversary of what Earl Mountbatten described as “probably one of the greatest battles in our history”.

Kohima was one of the key turning points in the defeat of the Japanese plan to invade India in 1944.

But the cost was high as the ferocious fighting claimed the lives of more than 4,000 British and Indian soldiers as well as nearly twice as many Japanese troops.

The veterans, many in their 90s, attended a service at York Minster before they gathered in the Minster Gardens for a wreath-laying ceremony.

A single bagpiper played as the veterans took to their seats in persistent drizzle.

Three wreaths were placed at the Kohima Memorial, the Last Post was sounded and a minute’s silence was observed.

The victory at Kohima is now seen by military historians as signalling the end of the Japanese plan to move into India and the start of General William Slim’s offensive to recapture Burma.

The inscription on the memorial at the battle site reads: “When you go home.

Tell them of us and say. For your tomorrow. We gave our today.”