Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio released the book ‘Winning the Lost battle – Assam Rifles in Battle of Kohima’ during the 57th Nagaland Statehood Day celebrations at Kohima local ground on Sunday.
The year 2019 is the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kohima of World War II.
A year-long programme has been planned to be organized in commemoration of this epic battle, often referred to as ‘Stalingrad of East’, which was the turning point of the war in the east.
Very little is known of this landmark Battle of Kohima even though its landscape is saturated in blood and sacrifice.
Also read: Nagaland: KES to commemorate Battle of Kohima’s 75th year in apt manner
Amongst what is known, the critical role essayed by Assam Rifles is less known.
The World War II images and reminiscences are pre-dominantly populated by the European Theatre of the War.
To remedy this information gap, the book was written by 5 Sector Assam Rifles under the leadership of the Inspector General Assam Rifles (North).
The 180-page book not only includes accounts of the battle from soldier’s point of view but also that of the people of Kohima who either participated in the battle or saw it raging in their villages.
The book also draws its contents from Archives of India, Museums in Kohima, Imphal and Shillong and stories of the Indian National Army under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose who came very close to Kohima during the battle.