Hi- Apologies if this is a request for info that has been posted elsewhere; I was wondering if anyone has- or has seen- some detailed maps of the route that 16 Brigade took in 1944? All I have is the large-scale one in the front of "Wild Green Earth" Many thanks for your time,
Hi Ethan, There is a large map for 16th Brigade in file CAB 44/184 at the National Archives. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C628301 In WO172/4396 there are maps of where action took place and in some cases where men died or were lost. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/s/res?_q=wo172%2F4396 Steve
Barton's Narrative - I've snapped them all now... There's a large "line" drawing detailing their position day-by-day (split into four pics - it's about 4x A4) and the two maps in four or six pics each... PM your email and I'll send them to you - it's in parts at present as they are rather large and I've yet to crop them for my files... I don't have the second link Steve's posted (I don't specifically research the 16th) but I might have some other stuff in Barton's books - I'll look - there are a couple of chaps on the site (Drew and Lee) that offer copying services for that diary at quite reasonable rates if you need it... Kenny
I have a copy of a Diary written by a sapper which gives details of his long walk in the jungle. I believe he was with 21 Column, Queen's Regiment, under the command of Major Robinson. He mentions a lot of names, but most of them are nick names, so hard for me to chase! My father-in-law and his brother were both Royal Engineers, and served asChindits in 1944, walking, not flying, into the jungle. I would love to know if there is a searchable site where I could post the names, in the hope that we may make contact with famly members of other Chndits. We also have some photos of his platoon(?). Sadly no names. If this rings any bells with anyone, let me know if I can help.
Hi LinWal, I was very interested by your reply and the other post you placed on the forum earlier. I have researched the first Chindit expedition, Operation Longcloth, in a fair bit of detail, but have not branched out into 1944. Another forum member has however, placed a website on line dedicated to some of the men involved with 16th British Infantry Brigade, which of course included, the 2nd Queen's Battalion. Here is a link to his website: Chindits - Operation Thursday - Welcome On a more general note, there is now in existence, the Chindit Society, which is a legacy organisation for the men who fought under Wingate. The Society would always be interested in diaries and other artefacts to do with the Chindit campaigns, and so this might be another consideration for your family in regards to the diary etc. I am currently the archivist for the new Chindit Society, my name is Steve Fogden. Here is another link, with more information: The Chindit Society
Hi Steve, Thank you for replying so promptly. I have today sent a cheque off to Mr Shenton to join the Chindit Society, which we only found out about yesterday! I realise now, having read the info on the site that the interest is more turned to the first expedition in 1943. My father-in-law was one of the band of merry men who walked into Burma the following year, and in fact was in the advance party, who went ahead of the main column to clear the way for the following troupes. He did not talk about his war years much while he was alive, little wonder really, but how we wished now we had more information. We do have a few photos, lots of the little black edged letters which he sent home, including the official ones which told his wife that 'your husband is unable to contact you himself at the moment, but as far as we are aware he is alive and well'. The diary is written by another sapper called Joe Snell, and consists of about 50 pages. It gives lots of names, but nicknames like 'Change Gear Smith' and 'Doughy Baker' .. hold a certain ring to them, but do not help much when doing research! I would love to be able to list them somewhere, to see if anyone recognises their father, uncle, grandfather etc., I did find a website dealing with Operation Thursday, but it seemed to deal only with the columns which were flown in, but I will certainly follow your link above and check it out.
Hi LinWal, Good to hear that you are joining the CS. It is in its early stages, but we hope to leave a long lasting legacy for these soldiers and collect together as many of their writings and memories as possible. If you have not done so already, I would recommend that you read 'Wild Green Earth, by 16th Brigade's commander, Bernard Fergusson. I do have photographs of 21 & 22 Columns diaries for 1944. They are handwritten in sometimes illegible script unfortunately, but I am happy to send them to you. At the Remembrance Service yesterday held at the Chindit Memorial on the Victorian Embankment, I met up with another family with Queen's connections. Sadly, their father was killed in early April 1944, his name was David Thomas Smith.
I would love to see the diaries which you have. Having been married to Andrew for over 40 years I am actually very good at de-coding illegible writing!!! I spent yesterday scanning the 50 pages I have, and once collated I will happily send a copy to the CS. I will also scan the photographs I have. I have read 'Wild Green Earth' , 'Quartered safe out here' by George MacDonald Fraser, 'Chindit' by Richard Rhodes James, and 'The Campaign in Burma ' published by H. M.S.O . Though I have to confess it is many years since I read them, and now I intend to go through them again. My father-in-law was at the siege of Tobruk, and spent some time in Ceylon before going to India to become a Chindit, so he had a busy time. Many of the books and articles I have read were written from an officer's point of view, so it is quite interesting to hear an account from an ordinary sapper, not that 'ordinary' is the right word to describe such brave men. We do wish the CS much success, and hope it will become THE definitive place to research and collate all the information pertaining to all the various columns of both campaigns, as it is so confusing having to dive from one site to another, and one never knows which one is the best to deposit information which could be of use to others. We are nailing our colours to your mast!!
Thanks LinWal, so no pressure on us there then!! I am going to send you a personal message (pm), which should come through with an email alert for you. We can then sort out how I can sort out sending the images of the Column diaries. Steve
I've got that breakdown of dates and places from Barton's work but will be away for a few days from now...
Hi HC, Hope all is well up top. Be good to see the breakdown, when you have a minute to spare. Cheers now. Steve
Hopefully of use to whom it etcs... Merrily bashing out 230's winter newsletter at the mo... last bit has just come in so dotting-and-crossing...
Of course I now know the feeling HC. Did you spot the second Chindit Society newsletter: New Resource - chindit newsletter october 2016
Buried in files at present me ol' B43... just going to click on the link... as you know, mine don't go public for certain subtle reasons...
