Antique Treasures Showcase: VJ Day Special on BBC1 - Emotional Artifacts of the Neglected Army evoked tearful reactions...
The BBC1 aired a special episode of Antiques Roadshow titled "Antiques Roadshow: VJ Day Special." This programme offered a poignant glimpse into the past, paying tribute to the heroes of the Battle of Kohima, a turning point in the war against Japan in the Burma-India theatre.
Fought in 1944, the Battle of Kohima was a significant victory for the Allied forces, effectively halting the Japanese advance into India and reversing earlier Japanese gains in Burma. The battle, alongside the Battle of Imphal, secured critical supply lines, strengthened the Allied offensive capacity, and contributed directly to the liberation of Burma by 1944.
The battle was primarily fought by British and Indian troops, including a diverse contingent from the Commonwealth such as Indian, Gurkha, African, and other colonial units who served under the British Fourteenth Army led by Lieutenant-General William "Bill" Slim. The Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force which included many local Nagas, also played a notable role in defending Kohima against the Japanese invasion.
The horrors suffered by troops in the jungles of South-east Asia during the war are beyond imagination. Many items brought to the Antiques Roadshow: VJ Day Special were impossibly poignant, such as a chess set carved from balsa wood with a penknife, a hat worn by a soldier with the Chindits, and a letter from an artillery man to his baby son.
Soldiers who returned from Japanese prisoner-of-war camps were under orders not to discuss their experiences. However, the reason some soldiers did not talk much about their war experiences may have been a subtler psychological reason: they had been through hell to protect their families, and making light of what they suffered allowed them to continue giving that protection.
The Kohima Prayer, often called "When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today," is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in this battle. The battle of Kohima was not frequently remembered, and the courage and sacrifice of the British and Commonwealth soldiers who defended it, the 14th Army, are often overlooked.
The Antiques Roadshow: VJ Day Special served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by these soldiers, ensuring that their stories continue to be told and their bravery continues to be celebrated. The episode traced the conflict chronologically, from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima, offering a comprehensive look at the war in the Far East. Viewers of The Narrow Road To The Deep North, which followed on BBC1, can attest to the horrors of the war in the jungles of South-east Asia.
This battle remains celebrated for its strategic importance and the multinational composition of troops who fought in harsh terrain under difficult conditions. As we remember the heroes of the Battle of Kohima, we honour the spirit of resilience, unity, and sacrifice that defined the Allied forces during World War II.
References: [1] BBC, (2015). Battle of Kohima: The turning point in the Japanese invasion of India. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-32894007
[3] BBC, (2015). Antiques Roadshow: VJ Day Special. BBC One.
[4] History.com Editors. (2009). Battle of Kohima. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-kohima
[5] The Telegraph. (2014). The Battle of Kohima: The untold story of the 'Forgotten War'. The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/11136356/The-Battle-of-Kohima-The-untold-story-of-the-Forgotten-War.html
- The Antiques Roadshow: VJ Day Special, like the battle it commemorated, traced the chronology of war events, covering news from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima, including reviews of the major battles, such as the Battle of Kohima.
- In addition to the Allied forces, the Battle of Kohima saw the participation of soldiers from various Commonwealth nations, such as Indian, Gurkha, African, and colonial units, showcasing a remarkable blend of politics, general news, and sports in the pursuit of a common goal.
- Viewers of the programs The Narrow Road To The Deep North and the Antiques Roadshow: VJ Day Special gained an understanding of the extensive hardships soldiers endured in the jungles of South-east Asia, war-and-conflicts that have left an enduring impact on the psychology and collective memory of those who experienced them.
