Stilwell and the Chindits (ePub)
The Allied Campaign in Northern Burma 1943 – 1944
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Series: Images of War
File Size: 42.2 MB (.epub)
Pages: 176
Illustrations: 250 B & W images
ISBN: 9781473838710
Published: 30th August 2014
This latest book in the highly successful Images of War series covers the dramatic events that saw ultimate Allied victory over the Japanese in remote Northern Burma on the Chinese border. The plan involved two separate but concurrent operations. US Army General Joseph Stilwell was ordered to train up two Chinese divisions and together with a US special force (Merrill's Marauders) advance to seize the key Japanese base at Myitkyina.
At the same time Brigadier Orde Wingate and his 77 Brigade (known as the Chindits) penetrated and fought deep behind Japanese lines. While the success of this Operation (LONG STOP) remains debatable, the Chindits' courage and determination destroyed the myth of Japanese invincibility. Despite terrible deprivation a second much larger operation (THURSDAY) went ahead.
As this highly informative and well illustrated book reveals, the concept was ultimately successful with Myitkyina falling to Stilwell's Chinese/US force in mid 1944. The Chindits and Maranders, now greatly depleted by enemy action, malnutrition and disease were evacuated to India but became legends.
A very readable text plus the supporting photos give a really good view of what went on in this aspect of the war in the Far East.
Military Modelling
An excellent account, told largely through photographs, of that neglected aspect of the Second World War fought so very far away from home by British Soldiers.
Britain at War
This well-illustrated and informative book relates the story of this operation and presents the reader with a concise, readable summary. In keeping with other works in the Images of War series, this title features many rare monochrome photos from wartime archives.
Military Modelling Magazine
[T]his book provides a worthy epitaph to the legendary Chindits and Marauders. A largely unknown story told well and impeccably illustrated.
Firetrench
This is a solid piece of work and I have learned much from Jon Diamond's well-paced and efficient text.
War History Online
About Jon Diamond
Jon Diamond MD is a kidney specialist in the USA with a deep interest in the Second World War. He is a keen collector of photographs. His Stilwell and the Chindits, War in the South Pacific, Invasion of Sicily, Invasion of the Italian Mainland: Salerno to Gustav Line, 1943-1944, Onto Rome 1944; Anzio and Victory at Cassino, Beyond Rome to the Alps; Across the Arno and Gothic Line, 1944-1945, Op Plunder - The Rhine River Crossing, MacArthur’s Papua New Guinea Campaign, Hell in the Central Pacific, Liberation of the Philippines, Burma Victory, The Fall of Malaya and Singapore and The Battle of Okinawa 1945 are all published by Pen and Sword in the Images of War series.