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Chindit

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

1943. Major-General Orde Wingate startles the military world by commanding a daring raid in the heart of Japanese-occupied Burma. But this was just the beginning.

In the following year, Wingate spearheaded an even more ambitious operation, flying 10,000 men and 1,000 animals behind Japanese lines to disrupt communications and harass the Japanese forces. With close tactical support from Colonel Philip Cochran, Chindit was the name given to these operations and the men who made them happen.

This is their story, told by one man who was at the heart of it all. Cipher officer Richard Rhodes James tells the story of the preparations in central India, the flights deep into enemy territory and the campaign of guerrilla operations that followed.

Taking the listener through the remote wilds of the jungle, showing the parching heat and the relentless rain that these men experienced, Rhodes James paints a detailed portrait of a band of brothers fighting for survival.

©2022 Richard Rhodes James (P)2022 Penguin Audio Armed Forces Asia Europe Great Britain Military Southeast Asia Special & Elite Forces War
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A great description of life during the campaign with so much added by the voice of Al Murray. Definitely recommended- you will not be disappointed😃

A cracking listen

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Very interesting hearing about action under the command of a very innovative leader,Orde Wingate. Also hearing about decision made on the move under extreme circumstances.

Hard ship under fire

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Al Murray, aka " The Pub Landlord," narrates this treasure of a conflict rapidly disappearing into the mists of time. The Imperial Japanese Army was the most formidable foe in jungle warfare. Honed by victories over China and most of South East Asia, The British Empire stuck back aided by its far-flung allies in the firing line. Australia and New Zealand is an example.
Rhodes James came from a celebrated military family and his journals are reproduced here.
If you enjoy tales of trudging endlessly through mud and incessant rain, this book is for you.

A gem of a ' Forgotten Army" tale.

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Another great read by Al Murray of a story that makes you wonder at the endurance of those that fought in Burma and particularly with the Chindits.

What a story

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Unfortunately this book doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. Admittedly the author was in signals, so had some insight, but as a junior officer there isn’t much knowledge of overall strategy. So very much a personal account.

He has a low opinion of rankers’ intelligence and sweeping views about Gurkhas, possibly a view prevalent of the time.
There is a lot of moaning about fairness and the role of others which grates after a while.
It’s worth noting this book is an account of the second Chindit raid only and its build up.
However the account of life on the ground is gruelling and colourful.
Wingate is revered greatly, and his foibles are explained away as being a misunderstood genius. I have an awful lot of respect for this view, but I remain unconvinced that it was worth the cost in men and equipment.

Middling

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