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Kohima War Cemetery
Kohima War Cemetery. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Amidst the scenic natural landscapes and invaluable cultural heritage, Northeast India holds onto some unforgettable war memories. Across the eight states of the northeast, there are numerous hallowed sites commemorating the courageous soldiers from various wars who made the ultimate sacrifice for a better tomorrow. The Kohima War Cemetery, located at the heart of the capital city of Nagaland, Kohima, is one such memorial site. It recalls the martyrs of the Battle of Kohima fought in 1944 during the course of World War II. The British Indian Army was reportedly the largest volunteer army during World War II, with around 2.5 million soldiers participating in the struggle between the Allied and Axis forces. During World War II (1939–1945), the Allied forces were a global military coalition established to counter the Axis powers, which included Nazi Germany, the Empire of Japan, and the Kingdom of Italy. The core members of this coalition, known as the "Big Four," by the end of 1941 were the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union, and China.
The Battle of Kohima was considered a major turning point for the Japanese U-Go offensive. The Japanese U-Go offensive was launched in March 1944 to fight against the forces of the British Empire in the northeastern regions of Manipur and the Naga Hills. The Battle of Kohima was fought in three different stages from 4 April to 22 June 1944. The capture of Kohima was instrumental in allowing the Japanese to cut the Allied Forces’ supply lines and abandon some crucial supply stores stationed at Dimapur. As the battle started in Kohima, it was concentrated on Garrison Hill, mostly around the residence of the Deputy Commissioner of the region. However, the Allied Forces’ long and laborious counterattack made the Japanese forces retreat and vacate the region.
The Kohima War Cemetery is a testament to the contributions of the Allied and Axis forces’ soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Kohima. Reportedly, this cemetery houses a total of 1420 graves. Designed by British architect, Colin St Clair Oakes, the Kohima War Cemetery is situated at the exact location where the heated battle was fought. Although the actual date of its construction is unknown, it was reportedly constructed between 1944 - 1946. The cemetery has been marked at its two ends by tall, concrete structures engraved with crosses. Between the two structures, a series of terraces of 3-5 metres in height have been constructed along the sloping ground. These contain stone markers embedded with bronze memorial tablets carrying the name of each soldier who died on the battlefield. The cemetery has two memorial crosses, one at the upper and the other at the lower end. The upper-end memorial, located at the highest point of the cemetery, commemorates the names of the Indian soldiers of the British Indian Army who had been cremated as per their cultural rites. The modest memorial at the lower end is a tribute to the 2nd Division. It consists of a substantial, 15-foot (4.6 m) tall stone, resembling the stones employed by the Naga tribes for marking their deceased's graves, securely placed atop a finely crafted stone base.
Kohima War Cemetery. Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Memorial Cross with the Kohima Epitaph. Image source: Wikimedia Commons
The most famous memorial of this cemetery is considered to be a 15 feet tall monolith made of local stone with the famous Kohima epitaph -
Interestingly, the Battle of Kohima is also known as the ‘Battle Under the Cherry Tree’ as there used to be a cherry tree at this site which was used for target practice by the Japanese forces. This tree was eventually destroyed during the battle.
A number of other memorials for regiments and units that fought at Kohima during World War II are also located outside the cemetery. These include the 4th Battalion Punjab Regiment memorial, the Royal Scots Memorial, a memorial to the Durham Light Infantry and a collection of memorials to the 3rd Assam Rifles and the Assam Regiment.
The Kohima War Cemetery remains a witness to the brutal and devastating World War II. It proudly pays tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the historic Battle of Kohima.
Entrance to Kohima War Cemetery. Image source: Wikimedia Commons
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