Kohima Camp facts for kids

Kohima Camp was a place in Tai Po Tsai, north of Clear Water Bay Peninsula, where a new army base was planned. It was also known as Kohima Barracks. This camp was meant to house more British soldiers in Hong Kong.

The idea for this new base came from a review in the early 1980s. The British government wanted to show its strong commitment to keeping Hong Kong safe and secure. This was especially important as the year 1997, when Hong Kong would be returned to China, was getting closer.

The Hong Kong government was going to buy the land and build the camp. They also paid a large part of the costs for the British soldiers stationed in Hong Kong.

However, the plans for Kohima Camp were cancelled in 1984. This happened after Britain and China signed an important agreement about Hong Kong's future.

Later, in 1986, the land was used for something different. It became the home of the new Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Before the university was built, the land was used for a special event. The Scout Association of Hong Kong held their Diamond Jubilee Jamboree there. This big Scout gathering celebrated 75 years of Scouting in Hong Kong. It took place from December 1986 to January 1997.

Why the Name Kohima?

The camp was named after a town called Kohima. This town is located near the eastern border of India.

In 1944, a very important battle happened there. The Imperial Japanese Army tried to advance but failed at the Battle of Kohima. This battle marked the furthest point the Japanese Empire reached during World War II. Naming the camp after Kohima was a way to remember this significant event.