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Second World War 60th Anniversary

The Battle of Kohima, North East India 4 April – 22 June 1944

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Contents

Kohima

Memories of Kohima

Kohima Today

Kohima

KOHIMA, THE CAPITAL OF NAGALAND IN THE NORTH EAST OF INDIA
KOHIMA, THE CAPITAL OF NAGALAND IN THE NORTH EAST OF INDIA

Ivor Caplin MP, Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for VeteransForeword by the
Under Secretary of State for Defence
and Minister for Veterans, Ivor Caplin MP

'A nation that forgets its past has no future.' These words by Winston Churchill could not be more apt to describe the purpose of this series of booklets, of which this is the first. As Minister for Veterans I believe that we should continue to remember the bravery of our Armed Forces during the Second World War; without their efforts and sacrifices, our lives today would be very different. These booklets will commemorate various Second World War actions, and aim not only to remember and commemorate those who fought and died, but also to inform future generations of the sacrifices made by those who fought. The inspiration that can be derived from their stories will be invaluable for their future. I want to help those growing up now to be aware of the veterans’ sacrifices, and of the important contributions they made to our security and to the way of life we enjoy today.

Each booklet is intended to be linked with a specific commemorative event. In April 2004, veterans of Kohima, along with relations of soldiers who died there, will be travelling to North India with Remembrance Travel for a two-week pilgrimage of the region. I hope that this series will have relevance beyond these events, as well as serve as a memento of the 60th anniversary commemorations.

It has been very difficult to select specific campaigns for these booklets, and for this first booklet we have chosen Kohima to represent the war in Burma. This is in no way intended to diminish the importance of the other battles fought in that theatre. This is a tribute to all who served there, and I hope that the series will return to this theatre of the war with an issue on the Fourteenth Army and the liberation of Burma.

It is hard for us to understand the horrors of these battles. In a message for issue ‘to all ranks on the Manipur road’, Earl Mountbatten wrote after the battle of Kohima that ‘only those who have seen the horrific nature of the country under these conditions will be able to appreciate your achievements’. This sums up a great truth about the battle of Kohima, and emphasises the magnitude of the victory bought at great cost by the combined British and Indian force of the 2nd British Division, the 161st Indian Brigade (which included the 4th Royal West Kents), and the 33rd Indian Brigade. Though its importance was not fully realised at the time, Kohima was a turning point in the war against Japan. This booklet will, I hope, go some way to helping us to understand, and to remember, those who stopped the Japanese advance into Northern India.

Caplin Signature

Background to the Battle of Kohima »

Last Updated: 23 Jul 04