In honor of her grandfather Lt. Col William Felix “Bruno“ Brown, CO 1st Assam Regiment during the Battle of Kohima 1944, Charlotte Carty from Milbrone Porthe, initiated a journey to retrace his footsteps through a 39 hours walk from Jessami to Kohima from April 2-3.
Charlotte, a Kohima Education Trust (KET) trustee with fellow trail walkers reached Kohima War Cemetery on April 3 to mark the 81st anniversary of The Battle of Kohima. The walk started from Jessami on April 1 midnight with the end point to reach Kohima War Cemetery on April 3 at 3:00 pm.
During a brief program at the Kohima War cemetery, Charlotte Carty said that she is seeking to recreate the walk to highlight the achievements of all of the forces who fought at Kohima, and to remember the local Naga people who were vital in the campaign and in particular the fighting withdrawal of the Assam Regiment back to Jessami.
Zhabu Rutsa, President, Kohima Village Youth Organization highlighted that the Battle of Kohima, was a battle that not only shaped our land but also left an Indelible mark on the world stage. Honoring the courage and resilience of those who fought in the conflict, a conflict that saw two superpowers, Britain and Japan, clash in the Naga Hills during World War II, Rutsa said that the course of history was changed on the 4th of April 1944.
“As we reflect on those harrowing days, we remember the immense suffering endured by our people,” remarked Rutsa as he reminded how Kohima was reduced to ashes, and countless lives were lost, forever altering the course of history. It is through this struggle that Kohima emerged on the world map, recognized not just as a battleground but as a symbol of endurance and sacrifice, added Rutsa.
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He extended heartfelt gratitude to Charlotte Carty and her team for undertaking the “39 Hours to Kohima” endurance trek. “Your dedication to commemorating this battle and honoring those who fought is truly commendable,” expressed Rutsa. He also expressed hope that the sentiments of the Naga people are recognized and honored, and that we can move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and peace.
Lt . Col William Felix (Bruno ) Brown was the first commanding officer of the first assam regiment at the time of the battle of Kohima in 1944.
At midnight on the ½ April 1944, a band of soldiers raced over the Naga Hills of North East India. Dodging Japanese gunfire, they succeeded in making it back to the small garrison at Kohima. Without rest or respite, they had covered a distance of over 100 kilometres, in 39 hours. These soldiers were of the Assam Regiment – aka “the Assam” – raised in 1941 during WW2. Most of the soldiers were Nagas but there were also men from the other tribes of North East India: the Lushai, the Khasi, the Kuki.
A commemoration service for the 81st anniversary of World War II will be held on April 4 including a wreath-laying ceremony at the War Cemetery Kohima.
