80th Anniversary Weekend at the National Army Museum

As part of the 80^th Anniversary commemorations KET were delighted to be asked to join the National Army Museum in organising a weekend of events in April 2024.

We  assembled a stellar line-up of speakers for a weekend of talks that offered a wide range of insights into the campaign and its participants. It was a brilliant weekend with over 1000 people coming through the doors of the Museum on the Saturday alone.

The Viscount Slim and The Honourable Mary Ann Slim joined Dr Robert Lyman on stage to talk about their grandfather, Field Marshal Bill Slim before which Dr Lyman delighted a full house by repeating his famous talk first given as part of a NAM debate on Britain’s Greatest Battle, when he spoke out for the battle of Kohima……and won.

Earlier in the day we heard about the medical support given during the battle from Soundararajan Jagdish and Christopher Jary, from the Keep Military Museum in Dorset, gave a brilliant talk on the role of the 2^nd Dorset Regiment in the campaign.

NAM’s own Alan Jeffries examined the tranformation of the Indian Army over the course of the Second World War and James Holland shed light on the first British victory in the campaign at the battle of the Admin Box, which was fought in March the month before Kohima was attacked.

On the second day, we heard from Steve Snelling on the the VCs won during the campaign and Robert Palmer presented the role of the Armoured vehicle.

We were also treated to a wonderful recorded presentation from Fergal Keane who kindly filmed his talk for the event and he presented his own perspective on The Road of Bones, the title of his book on the subject.

Visitors on Saturday lunchtime were also greated to a book launch, with author Hannah Watson signing copies of her wonderful childrens book Jungle Warfare, written and published in support of The Gurkha Welfare Trust and the weekend was rounded off beautifully by Charlotte Carty who entertained a consistently full house with the events on the road in Kohima during her epic 39 hour walk.

There were opportunities to meet the speakers and engage with the wonderful group of re-enactors who were there throughout. The KET shop had a fantastic display selling books, jewellery and clothing handmade in Naga homes and it was a marvellous opportunity to engage with our supporter group, meeting old friends and making lots of new ones.

The full line-up was as follows - where available, we've added the link (titles in grey) to the talks:

The 2nd Dorset Regiment at the Battle of Kohima

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

The Transformation of the Indian Army 

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

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

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.

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.

Kohima: Britain's Greatest Battle

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

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.

Armoured Warfare in the Burma Campaign

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

The Epic Siege of Kohima

Journalist Fergal Keane recounts the harrowing events at Kohima in 1944 and considers the impact on the defeated soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army. Introduced by Dr Robert Lyman with Michael Shipster.

Slim: Britain's Greatest General

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

The VCs at Kohima

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

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.