Kohima 80th Anniversary Weekend at the National Army Museum

Over the weekend of 20th and 21st April 2024, KET has been invited by the National Army Museum in London to stage two days of events at the museum to mark the 80th anniversary of the battle of Kohima.

We have assembled a stellar line-up of speakers for a weekend of talks that will offer a wide range of insights into the campaign and its participants. 

The museum is free to enter and many of our talks are free to attend - do join us and spend some time hearing about the extraordinary events and heroic actions that took place between April and June in 1944. 

On both days there will be book signings, opportunities to meet our speakers and engage with re-enactors. The KET shop will also be there selling books, jewellery and clothing handmade in Naga homes.

It's going to be a truly special couple of days, unlike anything we've done before and we look forward to welcoming you!

Tickets for all the talks are now available on the NAM website, accompanied by full programme details:

The full line-up is as follows:

Saturday 20th April:

11.00am The 2nd Dorset Regiment at the Battle of Kohima 

Christopher Jary discusses the role of the 2nd Dorset Regiment at the Battle of Kohima

12.00pm The Transformation of the Indian Army 

Dr Alan Jeffreys examines the transformation of the Indian Army over the course of the Second World War.

12.00pm The Jungle War  

Hannah Watson speaks to Dr Robert Lyman about her new book for young readers set in the jungles of Burma 1942-43

2.00pm Operation Ha-Go: Britain's First Victory in Asia  

James Holland sheds light on the bloody Battle of the Admin Box, which was fought in Burma in February 1944

3.15pm Medical Support at the Siege of Kohima

Colonel (Retd) Soundararajan Jagdish recounts the extraordinary performance of the medical personnel who served during the Battle of Kohima.

4.00pm Kohima: Britain's Greatest Battle 

Dr Robert Lyman presents his case for why Kohima has been voted Britain's greatest battle.

6.00pm My Grandfather's War: Field Marshal Slim

The Viscount Slim and The Honourable Mary Ann Slim are in conversation with Dr Robert Lyman, sharing their memories of their grandfather, Field Marshal William Slim.

Sunday 21st April:

11.15am Armoured Warfare in the Burma Campaign

Robert Palmer examines the role of armoured cars and tanks during the Burma campaign.

2.00pm Slim: Britain's Greatest General

Dr Robert Lyman reveals how Field Marshal William Slim was able to turn the tide of the Burma campaign. 

3.15pm The VCs at Kohima

Author and journalist Steve Snelling discusses the heroic actions of the men awarded Victoria Crosses after the Battle of Kohima. 

4.00pm Thirty-Nine Hours: The Assam Regiment's March to Kohima

Charlotte Carty recounts her epic mission to retrace the 39-hour march from Jessami to Kohima undertaken by the Assam Regiment in 1944.