A 39-hour endurance trek across the Naga Hills concluded in Kohima on April 3, marking the 82nd anniversary of the historic Battle of Kohima.
The trek retraced the difficult route once taken by Naga soldiers and Allied forces during the intense fighting of 1944. Described as the first endurance walk of its kind in Northeast India, participants navigated rugged terrain, symbolically echoing the wartime movements of troops under extreme conditions.
The journey culminated at the Kohima War Cemetery, located at the site of the former Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow and tennis court—one of the fiercest battlegrounds during the conflict. Participants were given a ceremonial welcome upon completion.
A commemorative programme, including a wreath-laying ceremony, was held on April 5, marking the official start of the battle in 1944. Dignitaries, historians, local leaders, and residents gathered to pay tribute to those who fought and died in what is widely regarded as one of the most decisive engagements of the Burma Campaign during World War II.
Speaking at the event, Charlotte Carty, a trustee of the Kohima Educational Trust, noted that despite its global importance, awareness of the Battle of Kohima remains limited in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. She emphasised that the battle played a crucial role in halting the Japanese advance into India and deserves wider recognition.
Carty highlighted the critical support provided by the Naga people to Allied forces, stating that their assistance significantly influenced the outcome of the battle. She also called for remembrance of all those involved, including Japanese soldiers, acknowledging their resilience and determination in navigating the difficult terrain.
Providing historical context, she noted that Japanese forces advanced rapidly through the Naga Hills despite logistical challenges. Initial defensive uncertainty over whether Dimapur or Kohima should be the primary defence point contributed to limited early preparations.
She further stated that on April 4, 1944, around 1,500 Allied troops in Kohima faced nearly 15,000 soldiers of the Japanese 31st Division. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Allied forces held their ground for over two weeks until reinforcements arrived.
Troops of the Assam Regiment reached Kohima on April 3, 1944, and were immediately tasked with preparing defensive positions, reflecting the urgency of the situation.
The cemetery, built on the former tennis court that became a “no man’s land,” witnessed some of the fiercest close-quarter combat. Japanese forces occupied positions around the court from April 10, with intense fighting continuing until May 13, when Allied troops—supported by the Dorset Regiment and Royal Engineers—regained control.
Organisers said the programme blended endurance, history, and remembrance. Alongside the trek, it featured guided tours of Kohima and Jessami battle sites, treks to Mount Puliebadze and Jessami Peak, visits to a pheasant reserve, and various cultural and ceremonial activities.
The event concluded with wreath-laying and a moment of silence, reaffirming the enduring legacy of the Naga Hills as a site of sacrifice and historical significance.A 39-hour endurance trek across the Naga Hills concluded in Kohima on April 3, marking the 82nd anniversary of the historic Battle of Kohima.
The trek retraced the difficult route once taken by Naga soldiers and Allied forces during the intense fighting of 1944. Described as the first endurance walk of its kind in Northeast India, participants navigated rugged terrain, symbolically echoing the wartime movements of troops under extreme conditions.
The journey culminated at the Kohima War Cemetery, located at the site of the former Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow and tennis court—one of the fiercest battlegrounds during the conflict. Participants were given a ceremonial welcome upon completion.
A commemorative programme, including a wreath-laying ceremony, was held on April 5, marking the official start of the battle in 1944. Dignitaries, historians, local leaders, and residents gathered to pay tribute to those who fought and died in what is widely regarded as one of the most decisive engagements of the Burma Campaign during World War II.
Speaking at the event, Charlotte Carty, a trustee of the Kohima Educational Trust, noted that despite its global importance, awareness of the Battle of Kohima remains limited in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. She emphasised that the battle played a crucial role in halting the Japanese advance into India and deserves wider recognition.
Carty highlighted the critical support provided by the Naga people to Allied forces, stating that their assistance significantly influenced the outcome of the battle. She also called for remembrance of all those involved, including Japanese soldiers, acknowledging their resilience and determination in navigating the difficult terrain.
Providing historical context, she noted that Japanese forces advanced rapidly through the Naga Hills despite logistical challenges. Initial defensive uncertainty over whether Dimapur or Kohima should be the primary defence point contributed to limited early preparations.
She further stated that on April 4, 1944, around 1,500 Allied troops in Kohima faced nearly 15,000 soldiers of the Japanese 31st Division. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Allied forces held their ground for over two weeks until reinforcements arrived.
Troops of the Assam Regiment reached Kohima on April 3, 1944, and were immediately tasked with preparing defensive positions, reflecting the urgency of the situation.
The cemetery, built on the former tennis court that became a “no man’s land,” witnessed some of the fiercest close-quarter combat. Japanese forces occupied positions around the court from April 10, with intense fighting continuing until May 13, when Allied troops—supported by the Dorset Regiment and Royal Engineers—regained control.
Organisers said the programme blended endurance, history, and remembrance. Alongside the trek, it featured guided tours of Kohima and Jessami battle sites, treks to Mount Puliebadze and Jessami Peak, visits to a pheasant reserve, and various cultural and ceremonial activities.
The event concluded with wreath-laying and a moment of silence, reaffirming the enduring legacy of the Naga Hills as a site of sacrifice and historical significance.
