Nagaland Flatfenders Club to preserve WWII heritage in Viswema village

Kohima, July 26 (MExN): The Nagaland Flatfenders Club on Saturday visited Viswema village under Jakhama sub-division to document and preserve the history and legacy of the Second World War in Nagaland.

Led by Club President T J Longkumer, the team sought to honour the legacy of the Battle of Kohima by documenting historical accounts from surviving witnesses, where available, and collecting information from village elders and residents familiar with the wartime period.

The delegation also visited sites that played a strategic role during the 1944 Battle of Kohima to assess their historical significance and present condition.

Addressing the gathering, Longkumer stressed the importance of preserving the history of the Second World War and promoting adventure tourism.

He said the initiative aimed to document the wartime experiences of Viswema's elders so that the sacrifices and historical significance of the village could be preserved for future generations.

Longkumer said Viswema played a crucial role during the Battle of Kohima between April and June 1944, serving as a tactical staging ground, troop encampment and defensive position for the Imperial Japanese Army. 

According to historical records, Japanese forces established camps, trench networks and fortified bunkers in and around the village in early April 1944, forcing many residents to flee to nearby forests, fields and neighbouring villages, including Jakhama.

He said heavy Allied artillery shelling and aerial bombardment led to the evacuation of the village, and more than 600 houses were destroyed on June 14, 1944. With supply lines severed and sustained bombardment, Japanese forces eventually retreated, allowing Allied troops to recapture the area.

The programme also featured presentations by representatives of the Viswema Village Council and members of the Nagaland Flatfenders Club.

The event was chaired by Ketsokhol Kennao, while Rev Saphrüil Pucho of the Viswema Baptist Church offered the invocation.

The visit concluded with interactions between club members, village elders and community leaders, reaffirming their commitment to preserving Viswema's wartime heritage for future generations.