The Japanese troops arrived at Nerhema on 05/04/1944 at around 16:00 hours as per the map architect by Tokyo and established their main base there, in their quest to capture the plain sector (Dimapur) set up their General Camp at Seikhazou North of Nerhema. The forest of Hievimekhrutsa was made the Japanese Army Station. They erected Tent House in the forest and furniture was brought from British Dakbangalow at Nerhema. The Japanese School was opened at Ciesiebou (Government L.P. School) and some students were compelled to be brought in the said school• from the village of Nerhema. Also red wool “Badges” were issued to some selected persons to assist them in detailment of labour.
At this point of time, huge granaries and domestic animals were taken by the Japanese forces (not by force but by payment of Japanese currency). The villagers were told that one day these currencies would be useful.
The Radar Station was set up by Japanese forces at Temiseithu Hill (The Enchanted Hill) which had the two biggest transit camps namely Than Khudu and Dzuhie, which now is below 17km (British abandoned road) and 20km on Kohima - Wokha Road. An attempt was made to proceed towards the plain sector, Dimapur, trailing on Sorozou through Dzüdza River. On reaching Khrabvüma village the Japanese forces occupied the hill called “Cietsükhe.’ and the entire region of Dzüdza However, the effort remained unaccomplished due to heavy concentration of the Allied forces at Dimapur and all along the route of N.H. 39. Besides this, due to heavy aerial air strikes, the bullets were rained in the Japanese position at Khrabvüma to the extent that not even single tree branches or leave were remained.
As a result, Japanese forces suffered heavy casualties and that all the dead bodies were brought and buried in the surrounding areas of Dzühie and Cieyhuzou on the British abandoned road,
Thus, they retreated back to Nerhema village. They occupied a hillock called ‘Sazou’ in the jurisdiction of Nerhema village.
Sometime, during the later April, the British Allied forces came to Nerhema from Dimapur via Chandulungsu of Lotha lower region through river and jungle arid reached Nerhema Village early in the morning. It was followed by a fierce battle fought on • ‘Sazou’ the occupied Japanese camp. The hillock was attacked by the ground forces and air raids. The hillock was captured by the British Allied forces at Nerhema. Despite the British flag being hoisted on the hillock flat ground, the air raids were going on non-stop which killed some soldiers of the British Allied Force.
One interesting story, which is narrated even today that the decease soldier’s head was blasted by aerial raids, the brain sprinkled all over the contained wine vessel commonly called as ‘Thutsherha’ or ‘Zutse’ but the house owner Mr. Zeluolie had removed the brain stained on the wine vessel by fingers and drank whole wine without wastage.
The Japanese forces once again occupied a hillock “Rükhou Bazou”This hillock served as strategic location for observation and detecting enemies during ancient times. Therefore, the Japanese forces were able to asses and monitor the ground situation from the location.
But due to massive aerial strikes on the Japanese occupied hill “Rükhou Bazou” by Allied Forces with 16 jet Fighters daily, the Japanese forces were compelled to move further into another hill called “Cü-ü Zhü” abandoning “Rukhou Bazou.”
In this hill final battle was fought between Allied forces and Japanese forces. Sometime in the middle of May, 1944, was the longest and the last ensuing battle on “Cü-ü Zhü” where the last Japanese occupied hill was heavily bombarded with big powerful bombs by the British Allied forces with 22 jet fighter followed by ground force attack. The Japanese forces captured a Captain from the .Allied forces. However, the Japanese forces were unable to withstand the might of the Allied forces retreated back towards Burma. That was the last presence of the Japanese forces in Nerhema Village.
The remains of the bunkers, trenches and razed sites stand till today as silent spectators to the intense battle that was fought.
Angami Fulutsu
