Kohima: Descendants of soldiers who fought in the historic Battle of Kohima marked the 80th anniversary of the war with a poignant ceremony at the Kohima War Cemetery in Nagaland, on Thursday.
The event, which honored the sacrifices made during what has been dubbed ‘the forgotten war’, saw participants retracing the arduous journey undertaken by the army that battled in the war.
A group of individuals, including Charlotte Carty, granddaughter of Lt Col Bruno Brown, commanding officer of the then 1st Assam Regiment, embarked on a symbolic 39-hour walk from Jessami in Manipur to the Kohima war cemetery.
This journey mirrored the footsteps of their forebears, paying homage to their courage and resilience.
At the Commonwealth World War-II cemetery in Kohima where the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Kohima was commemorated, descendants laid wreaths in tribute to the fallen heroes.
Speaking to reporters after the commemoration ceremony, Charlotte Carty expressed her sentiments, remarking, “It’s been a journey of discovery the entire way. The more we researched, paper works and letters, we found more documents. What people did here is extraordinary, and what stands out is the support of the Nagas to the allies.”
She elaborated on how their group discovered accounts of soldiers unable to return to Kohima due to illness, capture, or taking alternative routes, but many were rescued by Nagas. She recounted a touching story where a weary Assam regiment soldier found solace in a Naga home, where a pillow bore the inscription “Home sweet home”, making him feel at ease even during the difficult time.
On how the war has impacted her family, she recounted how her grandfather survived the Battle of Kohima only to fall later in the war. She emphasised the importance of passing down the legacy of bravery and sacrifice to future generations, ensuring that their contributions are never forgotten.
“My mother was left without a father at a young age. But she was very proud of my grandfather. She passed the legacy to me, my brother and my sister. We remember him and his men all the time, particularly around the commemoration of the battle of Kohima and on November 11 during the commemoration in England,” she said.
To ensure that the legacy lives on, Carty’s children accompanied her during the journey. “I had been trying to make sure that the next generation have the knowledge and understanding. My children came here to see the battleground and commemoration and to hear more from people involved, and more about the battle and what happened,” she shared.
Carty then highlighted the pivotal role of the Battle of Kohima in World War II, describing it as a turning point for the Allies in the far East. “From this point on, the Japanese did not win any other battle on land,” she said, further adding, “It proved that they could be defeated, boosting the morale within the allied forces.”
Acknowledging the ferocity of the battle and its enduring lessons, Carty expressed hope that history would not repeat itself. “Hopefully, we learn messages from the past,” she remarked, sharing the need to honor the sacrifices made and to strive for a positive future.
Earlier during the short ceremony, Viscount Mark William, grandson of General William Slim, remarked on the familial ties shared by those present. He expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to trace the journey of the first Assam Regiment, considering it a great privilege.
To him, exploring the forests and jungles proved to be a tremendous experience, offering a glimpse into the unimaginable hardships faced by those who fought.
William emphasised that all who participated in the conflict deserve eternal admiration for their bravery and sacrifices.
The ceremony began with a prayer by Rev Vevo Phesao, senior pastor of the Chakhesang Baptist Church, Minister’s Hill Kohima. The Khedi Baptist Church Youth Kohima presented a song.
School students from Kohima also laid wreaths during the wreath laying ceremony.
In the book “Kohima” written by Arthur Swinson, a British army officer and historian, the author narrates how on 7 March 1944, Tokyo had announced that the Japanese invasion of British India had begun. By mid-month, Japanese forces had crossed the Chindwin River in northern Burma and were advancing towards the hilltop town of Kohima in India’s mountainous north-east.
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If Kohima could be captured, the three British and Indian divisions at nearby Imphal would be cut off, and the way would be clear for the Japanese to move on the Allied railhead and supply base of Dimapur in the Brahmaputra Valley, Arthur wrote.
“In bitter, attritional fighting in April, British and Indian forces held the Japanese assault on Kohima Ridge, which overlooked the vital supply route to Imphal. In late April and early May the British counterattacked; by late June the Japanese were in headlong retreat: it was the turning-point of the Burma campaign,” the author noted.
Also Read | Why UK’s Charlotte Carty and several others walked from Ukhrul to Kohima