"Chindits" Topic

"Ever since the initial Japanese attacks in December of 1941, the war in the Far East had been a disaster for the British, with some of the biggest defeats (Singapore) and longest retreats (Burma) in their military history. With London concentrating efforts and resources in Europe and North Africa there seemed little prospect of an early reversal of fortunes, and morale amongst British and Imperial forces was low. At this point Brigadier Orde Wingate enters the picture, proposing and then organising troops for a long-range penetration operation whereby they would be inserted well behind Japanese lines to attack and disrupt communications and supplies, as well as divert resources that could have been used at the front. Two operations went ahead, ‘Longcloth' in February 1943 and ‘Thursday' in March 1944, and the men who carried them out were known as Chindits. The military value of these operations is doubtful, especially given the resources they consumed, but the lift in morale they gave the British during a dark period was enormous and very welcome.

Although Indian, African and Burmese imperial forces made up a good part of the Chindit forces, this set concentrates on the British infantry, who were ordinary soldiers though with special training prior to the operation. Their uniform is standard for the region, which is to say khaki drill hurriedly dyed green for ‘Longcloth', although some wore the new jungle-green uniform, which was probably universal by ‘Thursday'. It appears that both uniforms are present in this set, so a good mix, and largely accurately done. All the men correctly wear long trousers and slouch or bush hats in the Australian style, with a puggaree wrapped round the crown. Campaigning in the jungle quickly takes its toll on clothing, and we were pleased to see signs of tearing and ragged hems on some garments here (though in reality some men were considerably less dressed than even these figures). Boots are worn by all of course, and one man wears anklets which helped stop insects etc. from getting inside clothing. Finally a couple have small scarves round their necks – probably the silk ‘panic maps' which carried maps for use if the group had to disperse…"

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Amicalement
Armand