'Start blasting them and advance!' The remarkable story of Robert Scott and the 2nd Royal Norfolks at Kohima

The Kohima Educational Trust is delighted to welcome back guest speaker Steve Snelling for his third KET webinar, in conversation with Dr Robert Lyman.

This is the story of the 2nd Royal Norfolk Regiment at the Battle of Kohima, with a focus on the somewhat erratic, eccentric and exceedingly heroic colonel - Robert Scott who, as guest speaker Steve Snelling has just recently been able to confirm from his research, was actually recommended for a Victoria Cross for his outstanding leadership at Kohima.

'Start blasting them and advance!' This was Scott's roaring exaltation to his men as the battalion's assault on GPT seemed in danger of faltering on May 4, 1944.

The recording of the talk is now available below:

Our Speakers:

Dr Robert Lyman, MBE

Trustee @Kohima Educational Trust

Born in New Zealand in January 1963 and educated in Australia, Robert Lyman was, for twenty years, an officer in the British Army. Educated at Scotch College, Melbourne he was commissioned into the Light Infantry from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in April 1982. In addition to a business career he is an author and military historian, publishing books in particular on the war in the Far East. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Robert is married to Hannah, has two sons, and lives in Berkshire.

Steve Snelling

Author and Journalist

Steve is a freelance writer from Norwich, England, with a passion for military and local history. Born and raised in Norwich, he has been a writer and journalist all his adult life. He worked with Eastern Counties Newspapers (now renamed and rebranded Archant) eventually leaving, in 2010, as assistant editor, to concentrate on writing books while working as a freelance journalist. Steve's knowledge of the Royal Norfolk Regiment who fought at Kohima in 1944 is extensive and he has an in-depth knowledge of the two VCs awarded at the battle.

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'Start blasting them and advance!' The remarkable story of Robert Scott and the 2nd Royal Norfolks at Kohima

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