On 20th December 1942, a Japanese bomber of the IJAAF (Imperial Japanese Army Air Force) bombarded Calcutta city and with this, the country felt the heat of the Second World War in its own land.
On this day the Japanese fighter planes attempted to bring destruction to Kolkata by destroying the Howrah Bridge and seaport located in the city.
The attack damaged the infrastructure and surrounded the whole city with sadness and all this happen in between the catastrophic World War II which had led to the destruction of numerous cities worldwide.
The eastern Indian state of Calcutta which is at present Kolkata at that time was a very integral centre for the execution of military operations because of its closeness in getting connected with Burma and China.
After defeating the Chinese and British ground armed forces the Japanese invaded Burma in May 1942 and then the Japanese armies realized that Calcutta was close to their reach to attack. With this, the city was guarded with curfews in all the areas starting from building to houses to streets.
The situation seem improved from the sudden threat of invasion but in late 1942, the Japanese again let the city know about their presence. And on 20 December 1942, the city was bombed by IJAAF (Imperial Japanese Army Air Force) causing extreme loss to life and property. The city has experienced bombing several times since then.
In fighting back the city prepared a good air defence system which was seen respected by the Japanese army pilots who ensured that they flew high and raid only during night hours. The British response came to India and British Air Force bomber pilots crashed many Japanese army planes that led to ruining of Japanese skills to launch long-range aerial attacks in the city.
In the year 1943, London made its aerial defence stronger by providing India with radar-guided night fighters which helped in destroying many Japanese planes. Though the Japanese aerial planes continued their bombing in the city of Calcutta until the year 1944 and with this hundreds of people lost their lives. And finally, Second World War was concluded in the next year.
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