Yesterday we travelled a long and very bumpy road to Mawlu and then to the site of White city. Very surprised to find Pagoda Hill and the hill opposite full of the Burman army who were camped in the two spots. They are there because of the continuing independence struggles of the Kachins...though this area has seen no action for 5 years. It was pretty similar to when others have visited, but also from the old photos, instantly recognizable. It was a moving experience to be there. I would have liked to place some sort of memorial there...but our guide says it is very complicated to get permission here. On the way we took a walk in Pinwe, which is a new village to replace the old one which was bombed. One villager told us he was ashamed that as a boy he and his friends played with skulls they had found. In Mawlu there had been a very old person who knew more, but had died recently. Now in Mohyin and heading for Mogaung , but many of the old villages have gone . I think there won't be much to see in Mogaung, but it is always interesting talking to people about the stories they have heard.
Hi zahonado, Wonderful to see these images, showing different aspects and angles of White City. I know that there are plans to place a permanent WW2 memorial at this location in the near future. I do hope you get to see plenty at Mogaung, possibly my favourite place on tour in 2008, even though it held no bearing in regards to my Granddad's journey. It was the scenery from outside the town and the people's reaction to us that we all enjoyed so much. Look out for a man who told me he was a former Gurkha soldier from 1944 (but who was clearly too young to be such) and had chosen to remain and live at Mogaung after the Chindit operation. Happy Christmas. Steve
