Tony Redding - War in the Wilderness: The Chindits in Burma 1943-1944

WAR in the
WILDERNESS

A symbiotic relationship: Chindit and mule close companions under the forest canopy. (Trustees of the Imperial War Museum)

THE CHINDITS SONNET

As a small child, remembers the horror and fright,

Felt after a nightmare dreamed in the night;

So the feelings returned a hundred times worse,

Left him trembling and fearful he uttered a curse.

A curse against Fate that had left him to dread,

Each waking hour with its now peaceful dead.

Here, none to comfort and soothe away fears,

Nor spoken, those soft words to banish all tears.

It was time for a grown man to gather his strength,

Must hurry, not worry, they will march the full length;

Span the breadth, reach the heights together will ask,

Fear conquered, no flight, win and victory grasp?

My partners, my buddies, my best mates, my friends;

Together, forever; no beginnings, no ends.

Kathleen Ross

(Kathleen Ross collection of poems, Stars of Burma and Poems on the Theme of War, was published in 2005.)

WAR in the
WILDERNESS

The Chindits in Burma 19431944

TONY REDDING

To my father, John Jack Redding Chindit and his brothers-in-arms. To my wife, Philippa, and my grandchildren, Molly and Zach.

All royalties from the sale of this book are donated to Friends of the Chindits.

FRONT COVER The Queens 21 Column Wireless Detachment cross the Kaukkwe Chaung at the end of three hard months in Burma with 16 Brigade. They are making for Broadway airstrip and evacuation to Assam. This photograph was taken by 21 Columns Intelligence Officer, Captain C.S. Phillips, on or around 1 May 1944, with Broadway just a couple of days away. In the foreground is NCO Signaller Tony Howard, leading the Detachment, followed by Muleteer Paddy Myers and Taxi, the mule laden with the Columns precious wireless and batteries. Taxi was playful and had a habit of deliberately leaning to one side while being loaded. Behind Myers are Wireless Operator Geordie Beaton, Muleteer Private Holmes with his mule, Dextrose (carrying batteries), and, just entering the chaung, Wireless Operator George Hill. (Tony Howard)

First published 2011 by Spellmount,

an imprint of The History Press

The History Press

The Mill, Brimscombe Port

Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL 5 2 QG

www.thehistorypress.co.uk

Reprinted 2011

This ebook edition first published in 2013

All rights reserved

Tony Redding, 2011, 2013

The right of Tony Redding to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the authors and publishers rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

EPUB ISBN 978 0 7509 5655 0

Original typesetting by The History Press

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

I remember, as a young girl, listening to my father tell stories about his father Major-General Orde Wingate. Though Orde died two months before he was born, my father was inspired enough by his life and achievements, not only to pass on those tales, but also to dedicate much of his own life to the British Army. The stories that were recounted to me of struggle, heroism and honour in almost unimaginable conditions were often frightening but always amazing and enthralling. But I was young and, of course, having never had the opportunity to meet my grandfather myself, those stories were difficult for me to grasp and the experiences too remote from my own life to understand fully.

Over the years, my family and I have attended many gatherings and reunions of the Chindits at which we have had the chance to meet and chat with old comrades. They are a unique band of men who share an exceptional past. I have always been moved by the warmth of the welcome and the strength of the friendships that endure to this day, not just among the men but among their families too.

Tony Reddings book is a fascinating record of the Chindits campaigns in Burma. Reading the recollections of people who lived through those experiences brings home the truth of the stories I used to hear. It is, for me, a moving, though often difficult, way to learn about my grandfather through the words and experiences of people who suffered and fought alongside him.

It is a privilege to be a Patron of the Friends of the Chindits and to be able to introduce these inspiring and dramatic stories. It is important that the endeavours of these men are remembered and that, through books such as this, the accounts of their lives and sacrifices are preserved.

Alice Wingate

Patron, Friends of the Chindits

Granddaughter of Major-General Orde Wingate

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

T HIS BOOK was written with the active encouragement, support and participation of many people. Their generosity led to the achievement of my first objective: to tell the human story of the Chindits. I reviewed published work, personal papers, official documents, memoirs and unpublished accounts and combined this material with the memories of the veterans, the men who took part in the Chindit operations.

I have been fortunate. I found former Chindits to be patient and willing contributors. In many cases family members assisted, preparing material, sending photographs and dealing with correspondence. Many were eager to pay tribute to husbands and fathers. It is unnecessary to list the veterans here, as their personal accounts are to be found throughout the following narrative. I can only express my deep gratitude to all concerned.

That said, I must thank those who went to considerable trouble to read the chapters in draft. My readers were: Frank Anderson, Larry Gaines, Denis Arnold, John Riggs, Ronald Swann, Bill Towill, Bill Smyly, Jack Hutchin, Ian Niven and John Knowles. Their comments have rescued this author from many potential embarrassments. I also remember my late father, Jack Redding. His example provided the spur, whenever the complexities of the Chindit war in Burma threatened to get the better of me!

I am grateful to Kathleen Ross, who was kind enough to accept my invitation to compose The Chindits Sonnet. I benefited from the professionalism of Ian Giles, who worked tirelessly to ready the photographic archive for publication. I also acknowledge the painstaking work of Julie Snook, who has produced a series of excellent maps from my rather inadequate sketches. Joy Kemp and Mandy Taylor provided constant support in the preparation of successive drafts and cheerfully tackled a host of research and related tasks. Their help was given over a long period and always in a willing manner. I must also pay tribute to my wife, Philippa, for her excellent proof-reading skills and, above all, her forbearance throughout the three years required to complete the book.