Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 16
The much acclaimed 2nd World War Tank Park located at Officer’s Hill, below The Heritage, Old DC Bungalow, Kohima is in ugly shape with visitors littering bottles and wrappers in and around the premises.
Adding to the plight is the lack of a proper drainage system in the site of this historical landmark in the state capital, as water flowing from above brings along with it waste materials.
On May 6, 1944 this tank, under command of Major Ezra Rhodes, was climbing the Kohima Ridge to support troops of the 2nd Division who were attacking Japanese positions on Carisson Hill.Under treacherous monsoon conditions, the tank careered down the hill, lost a track and crashed against a tree, where it came under enemy fire.
The crew jammed the triggers of the tanks machine guns to fire continuously, set the turret to rotate and escape under fire back to British lines. After the battle, the 2nd Division requested that the tank remain in the exact position from which it had to be abandoned as memorial to the heroism and sacrifice of all those who fought in the battle.
