T.V Programme "Burma, My Father and The Forgotten Army"

I must say I really enjoyed it. I thought the incorporation of the West African veterans was brilliant and very moving, it still amazes me how little there contribution is recognised in the western world.
Bamboo43, I also enjoyed the Al Jazeera doco, it was what really bought the West African contribution to my attention.

 

Thank you to everyone who commented above. I am really delighted that you all enjoyed the programme.

I was privileged to assist Modern TV who produced the programme in respect of the research about the 82 (West Africa) Infantry Division. In my view, the producer had a difficult job to balance the story about Griff's grandfather (which is what started the ball rolling so to speak) without the programme being dominated by that, with the personal stories that came out when Griff visited Ghana and the historical context of the role of the West Africans in the Arakan. I feel the producer got the balance spot on.

For me, the highlight were the interviews with the African veterans. I did not realise until now that the next of kin did not know if their father/brother/husband etc had been killed in Burma until the units arrived back in West Africa. I have always wondered why the details on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website of Africans who died in Burma does not include their age (perhaps they themselves did not know) and no details of next of kin. Perhaps this is why.

On my website www.BritishMilitaryHistory.co.uk is a video produced by Al Jazeera about Isaac, a Nigerian who served with the West Africans in Burma, was wounded and cared for by local Arakanese. It is a powerful story. There is also more information about the two divisions on my website.

 

Thanks for the heads up Diane.