Kohima War Cemetery

The Kohima War Cemetery is a remembrance to troops from the Allied Forces’ 2nd British Division who died in the Second World War at Kohima, Nagaland’s capital, in April 1944. As per the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, that maintains this cemetery and many others throughout the world, the troops died on the battleground of Garrison Hill near the tennis court region of the Deputy Commissioner’s residence.

The topic has a high probability of being asked as a Current Affairs Question in IAS Prelims and Mains as it has been in the news recently due to UK’s CWGC including it in its list of sites with unusual features. You may visit the attached link to attempt practice quizzes on current affairs.

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Facts about Kohima War Cemetery

• This cemetery contains 1,420 Commonwealth burials from WWII, as well as a memorial to 917 Hindu and Sikh troops who were cremated in line with their faith.
• Field Marshal Sir William Slim, the then Commander of the 14th Army in Burma, presented the memorial.
• The Kohima War Cemetery is situated in the heart of the city of Kohima.
• The Battle of Imphal and Kohima was named “Britain’s Greatest Battle” by the British National Army Museum in the year of 2013.

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History behind the Cemetery

In March 1944, the 15^th Army of Japan fought the British soldiers stationed in Kohima and Imphal in northeast India with the aim to impede an advance on Burma. From the Indo – Burma border, the Japanese invaded Kohima and Imphal via Mizoram in the first week of April, destroying the British supply bases. They surrounded and besieged the Allied soldiers at Kohima and Imphal.

Note: IAS exam could ask basic details about this topic as it holds historical as well as international importance.

When the Japanese 15th Army arrived in Kohima in April 1944, they took up a strategic position on Garrison Hill and confronted a small group of Commonwealth troops, who held their post until reinforcements arrived. The Commonwealth forces defeated the Japanese in the armed struggle at the tennis ground of the Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow (that was destroyed during the war), which also entailed hand to hand fighting between the warring factions. Both sides suffered a large number of casualties. For the Allies, this battle was a watershed moment.

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