The 2nd Dorset Regiment at the Battle of Kohima 1944

The Battle of Kohima began in early April 1944 with the siege of the village of Kohima. The British and Indian troops who were defending the village were pushed back to the line of the tennis court which was in the garden of what had been the Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow. By mid-April, the 2nd Dorset Regiment had arrived to reinforce the troops. They were part of the British Army’s 2nd Division and were given the DC’s bungalow and his tennis court as objectives. The bitter fighting that ensued was close hand-to-hand combat in the most unforgiving jungle terrain. Perhaps one of the most iconic moments of this battle was when the Dorsets succeeded, on 13th May 1944, in taking back control of the tennis court.
The Japanese Imperial Army was overpowered: this victory at Kohima was the first time the Japanese had been defeated on land and it marked a turning point in the Far East campaign. The heroic efforts of the Allies to halt the Japanese advance into India have seen the battle of Kohima compared to the battle of Stalingrad, such was the strategic importance of the victory.
With an introduction by KET Trustee, Dr Robert Lyman, the Kohima Educational Trust is delighted to welcome guest speakers, Christopher Jary, author and Trustee of The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester, and Elliot Metcalfe, Director of The Keep Military Museum, who will tell us more about the 2nd Dorsets and their place in history.

[@anselmdanker9519]

Thank you for covering the story of the Dorset battalion at Kohima.

[@philipwalker7611]

My great uncle Herbert Downton, 38 years old, died 01/05/1944 fighting at Kohima. According to my grandmother he was killed by a grenade by a bungalow. This talk helps understand exactly what he was involved in - please accept my families thanks

[@apongimsong]

Why is KET glorifying other people's version of victory and triumph , their sense of glory and conquests ? Seriously it is high time we identify , promote and learn about our own heroics and tell our own Naga stories ! The Colonial hangover,fascination and putting them up on a pedestal should be highly discouraged and done away with ,as it is becoming a hero worship syndrome ! This is not education for the younger generations of Naga ! A rethink and a relook of the Naga perspective is more important ! I rest my case ! 👎

[@paulredinger5830]

It was a team effort. Without the supplies the battle wouldn’t of happened.

[@apongimsong]

@@paulredinger5830 I urge and encourage more of local stories in this channel.