ABDA-CBI-SEAC. Book thread.

Latest edtion been after this for a little while you really cant go wrong with these Forgotten voices,books told by those who were there.

 

Newbie dipping in a toe...

Someone mentioned Major John Hedley's "Jungle Fighter" - had that for a few years now as it has some info on "Blackpool" (own interests served).

148 pages - published posthumously - rather sad story to the publication - the manuscript was found at a book fair - the book contains a request for family to come forward...

He is referenced in Masters' TRPM and Rhodes-James work, being 111th senior IO - chapters on the retreat in '42 (29 pages) - training for '44 and up to "Blackpool" (18 pages) - flown out before fall due to injury - Force 136 (SOE) - Siam rounding up bandits...

Quite an interesting read - it was written as a personal memoir and he never meant for it to be published...

 

Newbie dipping in a toe...

All reinforcements welcome, mate

 

(Ta but you might regret that later... )

There was also a mention of a lack of American/Stilwell input...

Barbara W Tuchman - Sand Against The Wind - Stillwell and the American Experience in China 1911-45

published 1970 (mine has 16 pages of b/w pics '81) nearly 800 pages so something for the long winter nights - very informative

A great book to go along side Stillwell's own book


Maybe something with a Japanese flavour...?

Saburo Ienaga's The Pacific War 1931-1945 (several titles Japanese edition in '68 my translation is from '78)
Over 300 pages and gives an in-depth view of the conflict form the "other side of the fence" highly critical of his own people - a highly controversial author for speaking out in favour of the truth

 

Newbie dipping in a toe...

Someone mentioned Major John Hedley's "Jungle Fighter" - had that for a few years now as it has some info on "Blackpool" (own interests served).

148 pages - published posthumously - rather sad story to the publication - the manuscript was found at a book fair - the book contains a request for family to come forward...

He is referenced in Masters' TRPM and Rhodes-James work, being 111th senior IO - chapters on the retreat in '42 (29 pages) - training for '44 and up to "Blackpool" (18 pages) - flown out before fall due to injury - Force 136 (SOE) - Siam rounding up bandits...

Quite an interesting read - it was written as a personal memoir and he never meant for it to be published...

Hi Ken,

A couple of us on here have been looking at Hedley's book for a while, but can never seem to find one for less than £30, this for me continually relegates it further down the wanted list I'm afraid!

 

Newbie dipping in a toe...

Someone mentioned Major John Hedley's "Jungle Fighter" - had that for a few years now as it has some info on "Blackpool" (own interests served).

148 pages - published posthumously - rather sad story to the publication - the manuscript was found at a book fair - the book contains a request for family to come forward...

He is referenced in Masters' TRPM and Rhodes-James work, being 111th senior IO - chapters on the retreat in '42 (29 pages) - training for '44 and up to "Blackpool" (18 pages) - flown out before fall due to injury - Force 136 (SOE) - Siam rounding up bandits...

Quite an interesting read - it was written as a personal memoir and he never meant for it to be published...

I what unit Hedley served during retreat from Burma?

 

Just a quick scan - been a while since I read the book - I tend to OCR for my reference material - easier for searching...

He mentions 4th Burma Rifles at the start of the section - sections headed Moulmein, Kawkareik, Martaban to Sittang, Sittang, Pegu to Rangoon, 63 Independant Infantry Brigade (mention of 1/11th Sikhs, 1/10th Gurkas, 2/13th FFR - sounds like a link up), Tharrawaddy to Kalewa.

4 hand drawn maps in section.

Hope that helps...

Kenny

 

Hi Steve

Thanks for showing me the way through the bamboo groves...

Re Hedley's book

For me, the merest breath of "Blackpool" sends me to salivating but it is a reference book rather than a novel - I got it for less than that by keeping a careful watch, but still over £20... not by much...

I can always loan it to you as we are local enough...

 

Another new title I thought I'd post is a book by the late Freddie Patterson - I got a copy from his wife (private run) who has also put me in touch with two other veterans, so I'm eternally in her debt...

The book is entitled "From Rattray And Beyond" and is definitely a "family" work - by that I mean, something left for the family by someone who kew he was running out of borrowed time - I consider all "Blackpool" survivors to be such people - every note I have found wonders on their luck - "why didn't they follow us...?"

Like my dad, a 1st Cam ("volunteered" from the Black Watch) and details his early life through to the war and back - about 20 pages of the 130 odd centre on Burma, but it also includes training and the trip over...

Just got it this week so not finished - a good read - some nice stuff for my work...

 

Just a quick scan - been a while since I read the book - I tend to OCR for my reference material - easier for searching...

He mentions 4th Burma Rifles at the start of the section - sections headed Moulmein, Kawkareik, Martaban to Sittang, Sittang, Pegu to Rangoon, 63 Independant Infantry Brigade (mention of 1/11th Sikhs, 1/10th Gurkas, 2/13th FFR - sounds like a link up), Tharrawaddy to Kalewa.

4 hand drawn maps in section.

Hope that helps...

Kenny

Yes, it helps. He was also mentioned in Grant's "Burma 1942: The Japanese Invasion", and, as you said, he was in 4th Burma Rifles. Thank you.

Enes

 

If there is specific info you are looking for that might be in there, just let me know...

 

Did anybody read or have this book:"Safer Than a Known Way" by Ian MacHorton? What I want to know is does this book also cover Ian's service with 3/8th Gurkhas during Irrawaddy crossing or just only his experience during 1st Chindits

 

I think I might have a paperback edition. If I can find it I will check...

 

Basically his Chindit story only sol. It is a very exciting read, MacHorton does very well to survive his Chindit 1 experience!!

 

Latest addition............ just need to pick up the other book that would go nicely with this 'Burma The Turning Point'.

 

Thank you all for answers.

Latest addition............ just need to pick up the other book that would go nicely with this 'Burma The Turning Point'.

Grant's "Burma 1942 - The Japanese Invasion" is probably the best book about fall of Burma. And second book, "Burma - the Turning Point" is best about the battle for Imphal even thought it cover only the southern sector of Imphal box where 17th Indian Division fought.

 

Latest addition............ just need to pick up the other book that would go nicely with this 'Burma The Turning Point'.

Mate, link to the book image doesn't work...

 

Mate, link to the book image doesn't work...

Try here

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/books-films-tv-radio/30194-abda-cbi-seac-book-thread-2.html#post336737

 

"The Little Men" by K.W. Cooper. This is another memories about service with the Border Regiment in Burma, but this time with its 2nd Battalion, which was under command of 20th Indian Division. Cooper joined the battalion during later stage of Imphal battle but this part is covered in only couple of pages. Majority of the book is devoted to fighting along Irrawaddy River during XIV Army's advance toward Mandalay and Meiktila. It's wonderfully written book and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the Burma war. One of those must read books.

 

"The Little Men" by K.W. Cooper. This is another memories about service with the Border Regiment in Burma, but this time with its 2nd Battalion, which was under command of 20th Indian Division. Cooper joined the battalion during later stage of Imphal battle but this part is covered in only couple of pages. Majority of the book is devoted to fighting along Irrawaddy River during XIV Army's advance toward Mandalay and Meiktila. It's wonderfully written book and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the Burma war. One of those must read books.
Sol, thanks for the link on my post and The Little Men ,is one of those books I have skirted around for a while ,but your description has more than convinced me that it needs to be on my shelf