Correspondent
KOHIMA, APRIL 6
THIS year, 2014, marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Kohima, where the British Army fought alongside Indian Army against the Japanese troops during the Second World War and saw the first defeat of the Japanese. This battle, fought in three stages from April to June in 1944 in and around the town of Kohima, is considered a turning point in the war in Asia and is often referred to as the “Stalingrad of the East”.Coinciding with the 70th commemorative year, the villagers of Jotsoma are erecting two monuments as a tribute to soldiers who fought in the Battle of Kohima during WWII, in different locations – Shohuza (Jotsoma) and Aradura Spur-which have been identified as strategic areas of the battle. The monuments will be inaugurated by Brigadier GK Bibby, CBE, Commander 15 (North East) Brigade on April 16.
The main monument at Shohuza is being built as a tribute to Maj. Gen. John ML Grover, CB MC, his officers and soldiers of the 2nd Division, 33 Corps of the British Army who were instrumental in the outcome of the Battle of Kohima.
Monument Committee secretary, Dr. Kuokehebi Gwirie informed that the entire structure stands 24 feet tall measuring 32 feet in diameter while the monument stone measures 15 and ½ feet tall.
Talking to media persons at Shohuza, Dr. Gwirie said the structure is being erected on the spot where Maj. Gen. John Grover (1897-1979), the General Officer Commanding the British 2nd Division set up his divisional headquarters during the war.
The location is significant as it indicates the place where Maj. Gen. John Grover and his soldiers camped when he devised and planned military strategies to remove the Japanese from Kohima, which ultimately led to the defeat of the Japanese at the Battle of Kohima.
Dr. Gwirie said that the location was also identified by Vikeyienü Nagi of Jotsoma village, who had served as a commander of the Labour Corps under the then Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Charles Pawsey. Nagi is 94 years old now and is one of the oldest men of our village, Dr. Gwirie said, adding, he always advocated that the village should honour the people who selflessly played different roles during the war. He also mentioned that many Jotsoma villagers were involved then, working as guides, porters and stretcher bearers etc.
The British 2nd Division is said to have been based at Shohuza, referred to as the “Jotsoma Box”, for 58 days. Some trenches and footpaths in the periphery are still visible today.
It was also informed that different coloured flags will be put up in the village jurisdiction on the day of inauguration of the monument, to indicate various locations where remains of the war (both air and ground) were found. Besides a tour around the village, visitors on that day will also be given a guided trek to mount Pulebadze, which is also considered a strategic point of the battle.
A smaller monument is being put up at “Aradura Spur”, Kohima as a tribute to both the Japanese and the British soldiers who died fighting there.
