PICTURES: ‘Defining’ World War II Battle of Kohima remembered in poignant exhibition in Fort George
A military museum on the Moray Firth has launched a new temporary exhibition dedicated to a “decisive” yet “often overlooked” moment of World War II yesterday (Monday, September 23).
The new display at The Highlanders' Museum in Fort George focuses on the involvement of British troops in the Battle of Kohima, in India, which was fought in 1944.
The opening ceremony saw Andrew Hunter - the son of a soldier who fought in the battle - invited as guest of honour to cut the ribbon.
Curator Robert Kill said: “The main purpose of a museum is of course to inform people about history. Along with that, when possible, we try to inform people about history that is not well known by most.
“Everybody knows about World War II. Many people can be expected to be informed about various aspects of the conflict with Nazi Germany. Just this year we had the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the subsequent Battle for Normandy, well known to the general public.
“The exhibition we are proud to open today though aims to spread awareness about an often-overlooked part of WWII, namely the conflict in southeast Asia where British Commonwealth troops fought against Japan. These troops are often referred to as the Forgotten Army, an unfortunately quite fitting nickname. For even back during the war this theatre was often overlooked. In the first years of the war, Japan managed to conquer Singapore, Malaya and Burma in short succession. This string of faraway defeats was of far less interest to the British public than the ongoing conflict in Europe next door.
The subject of the exhibition is the Battle of Kohima, a “defining moment“ in the war against Japan. It was a battle that lasted for three months, fought under extremely difficult conditions.
Mr Kill explained: “A British loss could have led to a Japanese conquest of India and significantly prolonged the war in Asia. Instead, the battle would mark the first time in WW2 that a Japanese army had been stopped, repelled, and put to rout. It can rightly be seen as a turning point for the war in East Asia, as it set the stage for the Burmese Campaign where Allied troops turned the tables and reclaimed all territories Japan had taken.
“As the Battle of Kohima shares its anniversary with D-Day, then as now the achievements of the men who fought in Asia are sadly overshadowed by the happenings in Europe. But we are proud to do our part in keeping their memory alive.
“We can’t exactly compete with Hollywood when it comes to reaching wider audiences, but every person who leaves our museum with just a bit more knowledge and/or interest about this topic than they had before is a win for us.”
Mr Hunter said he was thankful to the team and trustees of the Highlanders Museum for putting on the exhibition and that it was a great honour to have been asked to declare it formally open.
