What B1 category Chindits do in Operation Thursday

Discussion in 'Burma & India' started by Geoff. Fuke, Oct 2, 2017.

  1. Geoff. Fuke

    Geoff. Fuke Member

    My dad Harry Fuke Army No. 4862514 7th Leicester Btn.
    Chindits then Force 136. (SOE) appears to have been medical classified A1 on 14.6.40.
    Then after appearing before a medical board at 173 Fld. Amb. B1/T 5.11.43. For 3 months. Then B1 (P) 9.4.45. Would a B1 soldier have gone on Operation Thursday or would they be at a base somewhere. Also is there any way of finding him through pay books. Geoff. Fuke.
     
  2. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    Not a direct answer but Category B1 is defined as
    • See to shoot or drive
    • Can undergo considerable exertion not involving severe strain
    • Without defect of locomotion
    • With moderate degree of disabilities
    And normal employment would be
    • L. of C. (line of communication), base or Garrison service at home of abroad
    So it looks like he shouldn't have been on Operation Thursday but stranger things have happened

    Alistair
     
  3. Geoff. Fuke

    Geoff. Fuke Member

    Thanks Alistair that's what I have read as well. He also suffered from Migraine headaches which would have put him out of action for at least 1 day if not more possibly why the B1 rating. I have read the war diary extract of Lt. Col. F.R. Wilford covering the 1st March - 16th March 1944 to 30th May. 1944. From training in India to Kyansali Pass area Burma. Officer commanding Lt. Col. F.R. Wilford 7th. Leices. columns 47&74. Unable to find any further diaries that continue on with these 2 columns. I live in Australia so a bit hard to get to NAK. Though my dad use to say that he drove trucks and at some stage was a Batman/driver to a senior officer.
    Regards Geoff. Fuke
     
  4. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi Geoff,

    After Operation Thursday, 7th Leicesters amalgamated with the 2nd Leicesters, so their diaries probably cease at this point.
     
  5. Geoff. Fuke

    Geoff. Fuke Member

    Thanks Steve. If he is medically B1 and not in the field with 47/74 any idea's as to where he may have been and any other diaries, pay-books, personnel lists to look at. I seem to have come to a dead end. Would there have been a central supply depot for stores to be flown in to the columns in Burma or is there a list of officer and their B.O.Rs. personnel.
    Regards Geoff. Fuke
     
  6. bamboo43

    bamboo43 Very Senior Member

    Hi Geoff. There was a massive debate between General Slim and Wingate, as to whether 14th and 23rd Brigade would actually go in to Burma in 1944. Just before he perished in the plane crash in late March, Wingate quickly inserted 14th Brigade, including the two 7 Leicesters columns into enemy held territory.

    There certainly was a central depot for each Brigade and a Rear Base HQ. Each Brigade would attempt to use some personnel from the actual unit to man these areas, as they believed this would promote both increased morale and continuity with supply. As for diaries, the only Rear Base diary I have seen, was for 77th Brigade and much like general war diaries, this rarely mentions Other Ranks by name.
     

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