KOHIMA BATTLE SEMINAR 7 NOVEMBER 2019

The day will follow a format similar to previous DSA events with a morning presentation, followed by a Gurkha curry lunch followed by two further presentations in the afternoon and an optional video.

This Flyer is being sent to the HQ 77 Bde, The Burma Star Association, D.S.A. Membership, the R.E. Association (Geo), the Royal Institute of Navigation, the R.A. Historical Soc., the Medmenham Association, the Charles Close Society, Friends of the R.E. Museum and the Gurkha Museum whose members are very welcome to join us on this visit.  The seminar is also open to the public.

There is limited free parking available outside the Gurkha Museum but parking tickets, available from the ticket office in the Gurkha Museum, must be displayed in car windscreens.  Early arrival is recommended to ensure a space is available, but a public car park also is located a five-minute walk from the Museum.  

Access to the second floor of the museum, on which the Library and Macdonald Gallery are located, is available by lift.  Those attending may also visit the Gurkha Museum, open until ???? hrs,  free during the day.

The cost of attendance is £??-00 per head to include lunch and tea/coffee breaks.  

Attendance is limited to 55.  Early booking is recommended.  

The programme and payment details are below.  For Bookings and Payment, see overleaf.

PROGRAMME

1015-1100 – Arrival and assemble in the Gurkha Museum Library over tea/coffee & biscuits.

A 20-minute video by the Kohima Educational Trust, narrated by Diana Rigg,  will be shown in the Library for those who have not seen it before.  

1100-1230 – “The Battle of Kohima”.

By Tim Bean, Senior Lecturer Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

1230-1330 – Gurkha Curry Lunch in the Macdonald Gallery.

The Museum’s bar will be open, with drinks at the Museum’s usual rates.

1330-1415 – “Sustain to Victory”

By Lt Col Mike Tickner, RLC, The Land Warfare Centre.

The 14th Army fought in the most challenging terrain, in the most demanding climate against the most brutal of enemies and was sustained by the most fragile line of communication.  Yet, by Spring 1945 a hungry, ragged and disease-ridden Japanese army was in full retreat from Burma into Siam and Malaya.  This presentation will consider how innovation, determination and every available means of resupply was exploited to sustain the 

14th Army to victory.

1415-1445 – Coffee/Tea in the Library.

1445-1530 – “Armour and the 14th Army”

By Stuart Wheeler, Archive Manager, The Tank Museum, Bovington.

This presentation will examine the use and employment of armour by 14th Army in Burma, the Japanese anti-tank response and how 14th Army overcame numerous challenges in a theatre thought by many to be unsuitable for the widespread use of tanks.

1530-1600 – The Kohima Educational Trust Video.

The 20-minute video, can be shown again in the Library for any who still wish to see it.