Soldiers from four continents served in the Fourteenth Army

They were dubbed the Forgotten Army because the soldiers believed their hard-won campaign was ignored at home.

The men fought some of the fiercest battles of World War II during the four-year campaign in order to prevent Japanese expansion.

More than 100 veterans gathered at London's Imperial War Museum for the anniversary event.

"We were always a forgotten army," Wing Commander Mahinder Pujji told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"The recognition has come now, so very late. With my age and experience, I don't feel that bitter now. In the beginning, I did."

'Terrible time'

Wing Cdr Pujji, who was the first Indian to win the Distinguished Flying Cross, said he believes people now understand how crucial the campaign was.

Fighting in the Far East against the Japanese army continued for three months after the Allied forces were victorious in Europe.

The celebrations of VE Day and relief over the end of the land war in Europe overshadowed the continuing fighting in the east, Countess Mountbatten of Burma told Radio 4.

"The war went on for three months after the war in Europe ended," she said.

Veteran Neville Hogan thanks Dame Vera for her visits

"During those three months, people in (the UK), who had really been through the most terrible time, relaxed and forgot about the war."

Lady Mountbatten's father, Admiral Lord Mountbatten - who was later Admiral of the Fleet Mountbatten of Burma - was the Supreme Allied Commander of the South East Asia command.

And though the veterans have felt slighted, Lady Mountbatten told Today there was a huge outpouring of gratitude for the Fourteenth Army during the 50th Anniversary celebrations of VJ Day.

Public gratitude

"The feeling of gratitude from the public was absolutely immense," Lady Mountbatten said.

"I think they suddenly realized here were people who didn't get their fair share of our thanks for what they did - to save the world, really, from a terrible situation."

Dame Vera Lynn, who went to Burma to entertain the troops, attended the reception. She remembered her visit to the Fourteenth Army as an important one.

"I mostly chatted with the troops," she said. "What they needed was contact from home rather than a concert."