Kohima

by Arthur Swinson

Garrison Hill, 53, 56–7, 59–60, 63, 82, 89, 94–5, 97, 102, 107, 114, 134–5, 140, 142, 158, 162, 168, 174, 254–5

  Garwood, Colonel (C.R.E., 2 Div.), 115, 133, 135, 140, 151, 205

  Ghale, Subedar Narjang, M.C, 228

  Gibson-Smith, Capt. R. F., 180

  Giffard, General Sir George, 5, 16, 20, 24, 27–30, 36, 239, 240; and Richards, 31; and Slim, 130, 153; and Stopford, 207

  Giles, Major (I.A.S.C.), 34, 56

  Given, Sergeant (Dorsets), 197–8

  Goode, Lieut.-Colonel (R.A.C.), 180

  Goschen, Brigadier ‘Willie’, 119–20, 122, 138–9, 143–4, 146, 148, 150, 160–1, 166, 181–2; and Scott, 146, 149, 166, 181

  Graham, Capt. David (C.H.), 87

  Graham, Major W. B. (C.H.), 179–80

  Green, Captain (Gurkhas), 227–8

  Greenwell, Lieut. (D.L.I.), 129

  Grenfell, Lieut.-Colonel Harry, 86–7, 132, 136, 165

  Grimshaw, Lieut.-Colonel (Punjabis), 96, 99, 180

  Grimshaw, Captain (Brigade Major), 71

  Grover, Major-General John, 2; personal details of, 3–4, 251; and Giffard, 5, 16; and Stopford, 16, 29, 57, 73, 76, 80, 97, 105–6, 108, 118, 135, 143–5, 169–72, 187–8, 207–8, 231–2, 239, 251; his command and orders, 73; and Warren, 76, 80, 91, 92, 99; and Hawkins, 78, 81, 87–8, 89–90, 100, 144–6; his plan for future operations, 97; and final relief of Kohima, 102, 162, 163–4; his programme (too slow?), 106; his difficulties, 108; and Shapland, 108, 163; and D.C.’s Bungalow, 109; and Pimple Ridge, 115; and Lambert and Naga levies, 117; and Goschen, 119, 143, 144; and steel helmets, 120, 195; and Kohima Ridge, 138, 144–6, 148, 180–3, 187, 193; and Japanese sniper, 194; and West, 205, 206–7; his problems, 207; and Japanese prisoner, 207; and Aradura Spur, 208, 209, 211–222; and R.W.F. surprised, 221; his armoured column for pursuit, 238; on shortage of gun ammunition, 249; leaves 2 Div., 251; quoted, 78, 91, 98, 102, 109, 144–5, 166, 168, 174

  Gun Spur, 142, 156, 201, 224, 225

  Gurkha Rifles, 4th/1st, 144, 250; and Zubza, 135; and Two Tree Hill, 144, 148; and Congress Hill, 170; advancing, 172; and G.P.T. Ridge, 180–1, 183; and D.I.S., 190; and Jail Hill, 192–3, 195; and Treasury Hill, 202; its Officers’ Mess, 202; and Hunter’s Hill, 224–8; Memorial, 255

  Gym shoes in jungle marches, 146, 151–2, 154, 249

  Haines, Brigadier, 34

  Haines, C.S.M. (R. West Kents), 94

  Harman, Lance-Corporal John, V.C., 66–7, 70–1

  Hasegawa, Takahide, quoted, 253

  Hata, Lieut.-General, 186

  Hatch, Major (R. Norfolks), 159, 160

  Hawkins, Brigadier Victor F. S., 51, 53, 75, 77–8, 80, 84, 86–9, 100–1, 106–8, 110–11, 115–16, 123–5, 132; his reconnaissance, 78; personal details of, 79; and Bunting, 123; and Firs Hill, 136–7; and Naga Village, 144, 145, 146, 156–7, 158; and assault on Kohima Ridge, 154–158, 165–8, 169; his Special Order of the Day, 167; and bill for cigarettes, 175; wounded, 194; and Hunter’s Hill, 204; took risks and won, 249; quoted, 77 bis, 78, 79, 84, 89, 106, 107, 124, 136 bis, 144, 156, 157, 158 bis

  Hayashi, Lieut.-Colonel, 19

  Hazell, Sergeant (R. Norfolks), 100

  Hedderwick, Lieut.-Colonel, 144, 180, 182, 194

  Highett, ‘Snagger’ (officer of Dorsets), 232, 248

  Hill, Lieut. (R.W.F.), 90

  Hill, Private (Hawkins’ gunman), 124

  History of the Royal Engineers (Pakenham Walsh), 249

  Holy Communion at Easter, 73

  Homalin, 5, 8, 23

  Hope-Thompson, Brigadier (I.A.), 26, 30, 59

  Hornor, Captain (R. Norfolks), quoted, 121, 121–2, 122–3, 138, 146, 159, 161

  Horsford, Lieut.-Colonel Derek, 202, 224–8; quoted, 202, 224, 225, 225–6

  Horton, Captain (I.A., mule train), 79

  Hospital Hill, 107, 142, 190

  Hospital, 53rd Indian General (53 I.G.H.), 11, 16

  Howard, Colonel ‘Bimbo’, 156

  Huckvale, C.Q.M.S. (R. Norfolks), 167

  Hump, the, 21, 38

  Hunter, Captain Colin, 156–8, 165; quoted, 154–5

  Hunter’s Hill, 155–8, 165, 204–8, 222–224, 231; map of, 155; ‘Hawkins’ appreciation of, 204

  ‘Hurribombers’, 101, 102, 129, 205, 208, 222

  Hygiene, personal (in jungle warfare), 174–5

  I.A.M.C., 75th Field Ambulance, 60, 65

  I.E.M.E., 1

  I.G.H. Spur (box), 53, 60, 63, 68, 71–4, 92–5, 102–3, 107, 109, 115, 135, 163

  Imai, Yukihiko (war correspondent), quoted, 35–6

  Imanishi, Sergeant-Major (Japanese), and his cattle, 129; quoted 129, 134

  Imperial Headquarters (Japanese), Tokyo, 8, 22–3, 185, 186, 241; its objective in Burma, 23, 64

  Imphal, xiii, xiv, 8, 11, 13, 16, 18, 23, 40, 97, 105, 223, 253; social and topographical details of, 18; refugees come to, 18–19; as springboard, 19, 22; threats to, 24, 93–4, 98, 114, 115, 129, 142, 185, 240; defence of, 27–9; 4th Corps withdraws from, 58; attacked, 63; airlift to, 130, 143, 152, 239; supply situation at, 239; relieved, 242

  Imphal Plain, 18, 24, 27, 64, 186

  Imphal Road, 152, 158, 185–6, 201, 232, 235, 240

  ‘Indian National Army’ (Bose’s), 22, 24–5, 58, 69

  Indian National Congress Party, see Congress

  Insects, 10–11

  Irwin, Brigadier, 49

  Ishido, Major, 238

  Ismay, General Sir Hastings (later Lord Ismay), 24

  Jail Hill, 53, 57, 60, 63, 65, 67–8, 70, 102, 138, 142, 144, 148, 158, 161, 166, 169–71, 173, 180–3, 187, 189, 190, 192–3, 195

  James, Lieut.-Colonel (R.A, ), 148, 159

  Japanese, at Kohima, 243; bunkers and mentality, 209–10; defensive positions behind Kohima, 223; generalship, 252; morale (test of), 69; regularity of habit, 81; soldiers’ tales, 210–11, 243–4; suicides, 244

  Japvo, Mount, 10, 73

  Jessami, 10, 26, 29, 32–3, 35, 37, 39, 42, 63, 69, 186; attacked, 39–43, 46, 48 n; withdrawal from, 45, 47–8; survivors, 56

  Jorhat (33rd Corps Hqrs), 55, 56, 97

  Jotsoma (box), 61, 62, 65, 67–71, 74, 80, 89–90, 99, 108, 120, 129, 185

  Jungle, movement in, 215 (see also Gym shoes)

  Jungle warfare, lessons on (Bickford’s), 221–2

  Kabaw valley, 36

  Kameyama, Lieutenant Seisaku, 69; quoted, 69

  Kanglatongbi, 97, 105, 148

  Kato, Colonel Kuniji, 244, 253

  Kawabe, General, 8, 22, 64–5, 185, 242, 252–3; receives and issues orders, 24

  Keene, Lieut.-Colonel (Assam Rifles), 53, 72, 73, 92, 94

  Kelly, Captain Sean (D.L.I.), 113; quoted, il3–14, 242

  Kemble, Sergeant (R. Berks.), 114

  Kevichusa, Mr., 116

  Khabvuma, 78, 114, 135

  Khangjang, 58, 67

  Kharasom, 26, 33, 38–40, 42, 48, 56

  Khonoma, 120, 121

  Kigwema, 237

  King John in Urdu, 189

  Koboyashi, Naoje, at Kohima (quoted), 59

  Kodo-ha (group of Japanese forces), 9

  Kohima, xiii–xiv, 23, 48n; Sato’s objective, 8, 17; topographical features of, 10–11; history of, 11, 13–14; Situations: on 15/3/44, 15–16; on 13/4/44, 81–2; on 17–4–44, 92–3; threat to, 24; fighting at, 27–201

  Kohima battlefield (map), xviii–xix

  Kohima Ridge (see also boxes, by names), xiii, 40, 45, 62, 78, 94, 97, 102–201; maps of, 12, 213; panorama of, 85; its fascination, 184; situation on 13/5/44, 195

  Kuki Piquet (box), 53, 60, 82, 94–5, 99, 103–4, 111, 113, 129, 161–4, 166, 168–9, 195, 206, 255

  Kunomura, Lieut.-General Momoyo, 184, 240, 241

  Lambert, Eric (Indian Police), and his Naga coolies, 116–17

  Lancashire Fusiliers, 1st/8th, 2, 107; and Merema, 110, 125; and Firs Hill, 132, 136, 229; and Point 5120 (Church Knoll), 146, 154, 156–7; and Aradura Spur, 237; Memorial, 255

  Lander, Colonel (C.R.E.),
83

  Laverty, Lieut.-Colonel (R. West Kents), 60, 61, 66, 68, 82, 86, 91, 96

  Layshi, 35, 36, 55

  Ledo Road, 143

  Leeches, 10, 11, 215–16

  Liberty, Stewart (R.A. officer, T.A.), 121, 216

  ‘Lifebuoys’ (flame-throwers), 139, 183, 206, 222, 227–8

  Lloyd, Major (D.A.A. & Q.M.G.), 121

  Lloyd Jones, Lieutenant (Assam Reg’t.), 29–30

  Loudon, Lieutenant (R.A.), 99–100

  Loudspeaker, Japanese, 69

  Lowry, Major (Queen’s), 190–1; quoted, 189 bis, 190, 191 bis, 191–2, 193 bis

  Lushai Expedition (1871), 14

  Lusliai Hills, 10

  Lushai, Subadar Kapthuama, 60

  McGeorge, Major (S.S. Coy.), 121, 122, 148, 214, 216, 221

  Mackay, Captain (C.H.), 145

  McKay, Lance-Corporal, M.M. (R. Scots), 147

  Mackenzie-Kennedy, Lieut.-Colonel A. G., 120

  McKillop, Bill (C.H.), 165

  McKillop, Ian (liaison officer), 71

  McLellan, Private (D.L.I. ), 113

  McNaught, Lieut.-Colonel Jock, 126, 127, 150, 196, 232–5; promoted, 239

  Mail received in battle, 175–7, 179

  Malaria among the Japanese, 243

  Manchester Regiment, 2nd, and Bunker Hill, 86; and Merema, 110; and Khonoma, 121; and G.P.T. Ridge, 161; and Jail Hill, 193; and Big Tree Hill, 235; Memorial, 255

  Mandalay, 8

  Manipur, 18, 185, 239; River, 27, 28

  Mansfield, Corporal (Dorsets), 150

  Mao Songsang, 10, 11, 30, 56, 188, 223, 236, 238, 240

  Maram Ridge, 240, 241, 249

  Marayama, Shizuo (war correspondent), quoted, 243, 244

  Marment, Major Arthur (Punjabis), 189, 190, 208–9, 222; quoted, 190, 195, 208–9, 222

  Mather, Captain (M.O.), 161, 167

  Maymyo, 8, 32, 63, 130, 137

  Memorials on Kohima Ridge, 254–5

  Merema Ridge, 11, 62, 71, 74, 77–8, 81, 90–1, 97, 100, 105–6, 108, 247

  Merema village, 110, 111, 115, 123, 125, 132

  Messervy, Major-General Frank W., 144, 171, 188, 208–9, 222, 231, 240

  Miyamoto, Colonel, 148

  Miyazaki, Major-General, 5, 30, 36, 43–4, 48 n, 49, 56, 58, 70–1, 94, 97, 114–15, 129–30, 186, 237; his rearguard, 230, 244; pulling out, 237, 238, 239, 241; on 2 Div., 250

  Mobility of British and Indian troops, 249–50

  Mol-he, 27, 29

  Monsoon rains, 131 et seq., 177, 215

  Morgue, the, 107

  Mosquitoes and other insects, 10–11

  Mountbatten of Burma, Admiral the Earl (Allied C.-in-C, S.E.A.C., 1943–45, and Viceroy of India, 1947), 20; and 2 Div., 3; his command and H.Q., 20–1, 22; and corning offensive, 23; blinded (temp’y) and out of action, 27–8; and help for 4th Corps, 28, 29; and Giffard, 29; his ‘intervention’, 29; his ‘role’, 35; and borrowed transport aircraft, 36, 38, 55, 139, 143, 153, 188, 223, 239; and jorhat conference, 56; and relief of Kohima, 97; and Chiang Kai-shek, 105; desires results, 130; and Slim, 239–40; quoted, xiii, 21, 250

  Mules, pack, 79, 81, 101, 140–1, 152, 175, 176, 178, 183, 236, 247, 249

  Murray-Brown, Major (R. Norfolks), 217, 218

  Murrill, Lieutenant (Dorsets), 127

  Murrills, Captain Jock (Dorsets), 151, 163, 169

  Mutaguchi, Lieut.-General Renya, 6, 8–9, 22–3, 93; personal details of, 9–10; his ‘intentions’, 24, 253; receives orders, 24–5; his Order of the Day, 25; shows his hand, 27; advancing, 32, 35, 36; and Yanagida, 36; and Imphal, 58, 63, 64–5, 93–4, 97, 98, 114, 115, 129, 130, 186, 200, 223, 230–1; and Dimapur, 64–65; his Order to Sato captured, 105; and Sato, 97–8, 114, 130, 137, 142, 170, 184, 199–200, 230, 238, 240–1, 243, 244–5, 251–2; and Kanglatongbi, 137; his Special Order of the Day, 231; admits defeat and retreats, 241–4; dismissed, 252; was winning, 252; quoted, 6

  Naga coolies (porters), 116–17, 119, 122, 125, 143–4, 175, 178, 247, 249

  Naga Hills, 10, 166, 255

  Naga levies and stretcher-bearers, 117–18

  Naga Village (box), 11, 54, 57–8, 61, 67, 69, 115, 129, 138, 142, 145–6, 155–7, 165, 167, 178, 179–80, 188, 201, 204, 207–8, 229, 247–8, 254, 255

  Nagaland, 14–15

  Nagas, the, 13, 29, 33, 41–2, 45, 48, 56–7, 68, 110, 115, 119, 121, 178–9, 235, 249, 255; Angami, 14, 15; origins and personal details of, 14–15; their villages, 15; refugees, 37; and Pawsey, 118; and Japanese, 118; and Independence, 255

  Nageie, Captain (Jap.), 59, 67

  Nakana School for Espionage, Tokyo, 64

  Nath, Naik Jogendra, 41

  Nettlefield, Major John (R.A.), 62, 80; quoted, 62, 103

  Nichugard, 44, 49, 53, 73, 76;. Pass, 44, 49

  Night attacks, Japanese opposing views on, 114 n

  Nishida, Lieutenant Masa, 64

  Nixon, Major Sir Christopher, 224, 225, 226; quoted, 224

  North Spur, 155, 157, 208

  ‘Nose’ (hill feature), 224, 225, 226

  ‘O’ Group, Victor Hawkins’, 107

  Oaks Hill, 143, 146–7, 158

  Observer, The, 204

  Ogburn, Lieutenant (R.W.F.), 164–5

  Oscars (Japanese fighter aircraft), 133–134

  Ovens in Kohima box, actions around, 66–7

  Owen, Major (R.W.F.), 219, 220

  Palel, 230, 231, 242

  Paper-work, 176–7

  Parachute silk, uses for, 140

  Pathan muleteers, 79, 140, 152, 178 (see also Mules)

  Patrolling in jungle, 248–9

  Pavilion Hill, 147

  Pawsey, Charles (D.C., Kohima), 11, 16, 26, 29, 37, 42, 45, 68, 109, 151; his qualities, 37, 118; and Kohima, 45–6, 49, 57

  Peirse, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard, 20, 153

  Pfuchama, 201, 232, 235, 236, 247

  Phakekedzumi (‘Phek’), 26, 35, 37, 42, 47

  Phesema, 232, 235–7, 247

  Phillips, Lieutenant (Worcesters), 248

  Picket Hill, 102

  Pimple Hill, 180–2, 187, 192

  Pimple, the, 115, 231, 233, 234

  Pioneer Corps, 65

  Point 5120, see Church Knoll

  Pownall, Lieut.-General Sir Henry, 28

  Priphema, 97

  Pulebadze, Mount, 10, 16, 73, 91, 115, 119–20, 125, 137, 139, 142, 144, 147, 166, 196, 210, 232, 247

  Punjab Regiment, 1st/1st, 37, 250; and Kharasom, 42, 44; and Jotsoma, 62, 74, 90; and Garrison Hill, 95, 96; and D.C.’s Bungalow, 98; and Kuki Piquet, 99; and 4th Brigade supplies and wounded, 172, 183; and D.I.S., 189–92; Memorial, 255

  Punjab Regiment, 4th/15th (formerly 28th), 144, 170, 250; and F.S.D., 192, 194; and D.I.S., 195–6; its proud record, 208; and Church Knoll and Hunter’s Hill, 208–9, 222, 224, 226; officer casualties, 222; Memorial, 255

  Punjab Ridge, panorama from, 85

  Purser, Lieutenant Dick (Dorsets), 169, 234

  Queen’s Royal Regiment, 1st (West Surrey), 144, 170, 208, 250; and Kohima Ridge, 180; and Pimple Hill and Jail Hill, 181–3, 189–95, 226; and Church Knoll, 229; Memorial, 255

  R.A., see Royal Artillery

  R.A.C, 149th Regiment, 109, 132, 151, 163, 168–9, 180, 193, 196–8, 201

  R.A.F., 77, 82, 84, 90–1, 95, 125, 130, 134, 140, 152, 167–8, 175, 205, 212

  R.A.M.C., 5th Field Ambulance, 110

  R.E., see Royal Engineers

  R.E.M.E., 1, 134, 140

  Rafiq, Jemadar Mohammed, M.C., 98

  Rajputana Rifles, 4th/7th, 37, 92, 250; and ‘Phek’ and Jessami, 42, 45; and Jotsoma, 62, 67, 90; and escort for wounded, 68; and F.S.D., 82, 168; and Terrace Hill, 99; and Garrison Hill, 168; and Kohima, 174; Memorial, 255

  Randle, Captain, V.C. (R. Norfolks), 167, 173, 174

  Ranking, Major-General, 34, 37, 40–42, 44–6, 49, 53–4, 57, 70, 73; his directive, 40, 44

  Rations, 177

  Rawlley, Major (I.A.), 53

  Reconnaissan
ce Regiment, 2nd, 232, 247

  Refugees, 18–19, 37, 51, 73

  Regiments, Japanese, 58th, 5, 58, 59, 65, 67, 69, 70, 97, 111, 118, 130, 186, 207, 210; 124th, 5, 43, 55, 59, 73, 97, 129, 148, 202, 210, 238, 243; 138th, 5, 43, 59, 71, 86, 89, 90, 97, 102, 111, 114, 129, 135, 232, 238; 214th, 27; 215th, 28

  Reinforcement Camp, 57th, 11, 16, 26, 33, 132

  Relief of Kohima boxes, 102–4

  Rest camps at Dimapur, 51, 52

  Retreat of Mutaguchi’s army, 241–2; typical incidents of, 243–4

  Rhodes, Major Ezra (R.A.C.), 151, 163, 169

  Richards, Colonel Hugh, 31–5, 37–40, 45; on Pawsey and Assam Reg’t (quoted), 37; and defence of Jessami, 37–8, 42, 45; his dispositions (31/3/44), 53–4; his orders, 54; and defence of Kohima, 56–8, 60–1, 67–9, 72, 96, 103–4; and R. West Kents, 60; and mistrust and suspicion (inter-unit), 61; his Special Order of the Day, 82–3; personal details of, 83; and Laverty, 86, 91; and loss of Kuki Piquet, 95; his last hours in Kohima, 103–4; to Dimapur, 104; quoted, 54–5, 72, 82, 95, 103–4

  ‘Ring’ (feature), 225

  Roberts, Colonel F. (later Field-Marshal Earl Roberts of Kandahar), quoted, 14

  Robertson, Major (liaison officer), 145, 146

  Roosevelt, Franklin Delano (President of U.S.A., 1933–45), 21

  Rothery, Major (Queen’s), 181

  Roy, Captain Allan (C.H.), 158

  Royal Artillery, 10th (Field) Reg’t, 78, 80–1, 165; 16th (Field) Reg’t, 101; 99th (Field) Reg’t, 121, 128, 142, 149, 159, 160; 100th (A.-A./A.-T.) Reg’t, 134, 187; of 2nd Division, 90, 99, 102, 103, 104, 150, 181

  Royal Berkshire Regiment, 1st, 2; at Zubza, 90; and Kohima Ridge, 99, 102–4, 107–8; and D.C.’s Bungalow, 109, 111, 114, 126, and the Pimple, 128; their cookhouse invaded, 137; and Garrison Hill, 108, 174; and F.S.D., 168, 190, 192, 194, 195; and G.P.T. Ridge, 211; and Aradura Spur, 212, 214, 216, 219, 221; Memorial, 255

  Royal Engineers (see also Bulldozers), 208th Field Coy., 88

  Royal Norfolk Regiment, 2nd, 2, 90, 115, 120; and tank laager at Zubza, 100; and right hook round Pulebadze, 119, 122, 125; and ‘char’ fires, 122–3, 149; and ‘Death Valley’, 138; on Pulebadze, 142; and Oaks Hill, 146–7, 158; and Kohima offensive, 149–50; and Garrison Hill and G.P.T. Ridge, 158–61, 190, 201–2, 246; and Bunker Hill, 166–7, 172, 173–4, 183, 190; and cap badges from Singapore, 202; and Aradura Spur, 211, 216–18, 237; Memorial, 255

  Royal Scots, ist, 2, 4; in Zubza Valley, 101–2; and right hook round Pulebadze, 119, 120, 121, 125, 144; and Khabvuma, 135; and ‘Happy Valley’, 138 (quoted); ambushes Japanese patrol, 144; and Oaks Hill, 146; and Pavilion Füll, 147; and Kohima offensive, 150; and G.P.T. Ridge, 161, 180, 201; and Aradura Spur, 211, 237; and Basha Spur, 216, 217, 218; Memorial, 255