Can anyone recommend a book that has been written about Force Viper, the operations in Burma with the Royal Marines of the former MNBDO1? I have read various books about the war in Burma that mention this and books on the Chindits and Royal Marines that only briefly cover it but haven't come across any book specifically all about Force Viper I've read the very interesting article on the Burma Star association site and also found out that papers from one of the commanding officers of Force Viper are in Kings College Military archives (I've mailed them) My dad was in this campaign apparently, he must have volunteered Came home from Burma a wreck by all accounts from family who nursed him back to health. I'd like to read more about it, he never spoke of it, only found out he was in Burma after he died Thanks Caryl
Seems so likely there would be a book about them, probably published with a 'novel' type title as was typical of memoirs from that age group. I'd be interested in knowing of such a book. I presume you've enquired with Burma Star, would also be worth asking the Royal Marines Museum and perhaps The Historical Records Office Royal Marines - email: hrorm@gtnet.gov.uk If you can make it to Kew, the Public Records Office have the following: WO 203/5708 - Operations on Force Viper (1942): an account by Major D. Johnston, Royal Marines (The same report appears to be also included in ADM 1/11798 and ADM 1/11798, though these files may only make brief mention?) Also: ADM 1/12457 FOREIGN COUNTRIES (52): Patrol duties and actions against the Japanese during Burma operations: 1942 ADM 199/189 Operations in Burma, Assam and North East India; photographs. For extracted photographs 1941-1948 No.9
No 9 Many thanks for all of that. No I can't make it to Kew. I'll keep a note of all the references and write to the people you suggested. . Caryl
I thought the first MNBDO was the one sent to Crete. It got chopped up. I think they made more for other areas.
Force Viper was commanded by Major Duncan Johnston who was KIA in Frebruary 1945. He was also involved in many clandestine actions against the Japanese including Detachment 385, small boat raids from Ceylon. In the King's College London at the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives there is a file about him, including a typescript copy of his own account of Force Viper operations, Burma, 1942; also a copy of an account called 'The Red Vipers' by Cecil Hampshire, published in The RUSI Journal, 1968. For your info : 3.4.2 Access: Open, subject to signature of reader's undertaking form. 3.4.3 Copyright: Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Trustees of the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives, attention of the College Archivist. So if you write to them I think you may get some joy. The papers of Johnston are copies from his family. Johnston was born in 1914. He joined the Royal Marines in 1933 and served in Egypt in 1939, the UK in 1940 and then the middle east in 1941. He became the CO of Force Viper in 1942. The article on the Burma Star web site is quite good I think. On one website I checked out they are listed as re-inforcements sent to the Burma theatre as volunteers from Ceylon on board HMS Enterprise. Good luck with your research! MG
Thanks for all of the welcomes Kiwiwriter, I'm not sure what you mean, but I'm no expert by any means, still learning My dad was in the MNBDO1 sent to Crete 1941 (he escaped over the mountains there after the German invasion) Force Viper (Burma) was apparently made up from volunteers from MNBDO1 This is on the Burma Star Association page ''Force Viper', a group of one hundred volunteers taken from Mobile Naval Base Defence Org 1 (MNBDO1)' MNBDO1/Force Viper Has an interesting article about MNBDO1/Force Viper written by Malcolm Little of the Royal Marines Museum Caryl PS I tried to contact the chap on that page who was researching Force Viper for a TV compnay but the mail bounced back to me MG Thanks for that. I have already written to Kings College Liddell Hart Centre (see my first post above), still awaiting reply Caryl
Just posting an update to my query at King's College Liddell Military archives on Force Viper records Had the rules for applying for photocopies or visiting in person sent to me as follows: In order to obtain photocopies you will need to comply with the rules for readers visiting the Centre in person, and to make an initial payment in advance: 1. You will need to supply a letter of introduction from a third party (for most users of the Centre this comes from an academic supervisor or work colleague, or from their publisher). This is a necessary requirement both for reasons of security and due to the fact that collections were placed with the centre upon the understanding that access would only be granted to individuals supplying a letter of introduction. An author should provide a letter from his/her publisher, an academic from someone from his/her university, a student from his/her supervisor - basically letters should be from someone of public standing who can vouch for the serious of your interest. They should also be on official headed paper. We accept letters by fax (our fax number is 0207 848 2760), email letters of introduction are not acceptable. The letter can be handed to a member of staff or sent to the Director of Archives and Information Management, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS. 2. You will also need to complete and post/fax to us the reader’s undertaking and admission form, available on our website at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/top.htm Please note the requirements listed in this form regarding the publication of material from private papers in this Centre. 3. You also need to complete and post/fax to us the Application form for photocopying – this is also available on our website, as above. 4. You need to send us ten pounds sterling, and we will make an estimate of the cost and feasibility of copying. This charge will be deducted from the cost of any order subsequently placed, where the value of the order is over ten pounds sterling. Please note that the charge is not refundable if you decide not to proceed with the order. A sterling cheque (ie one drawn upon a UK bank account or one printed as sterling by the bank) should be made out to King’s College London. There is a ten pounds sterling surcharge if a non sterling cheque is used. We also accept payment by Visa or Mastercard. Full details and conditions of access are given on our website http://www.kcl.ac.uk/lhcma/info/consult.htm I'm not a student, or an author, so a letter of introduction seems to be out for me Oh well, will just hope the extracts are published in some form one day Caryl
(Caryl @ Dec 16 2005, 08:47 AM) [post=43194]Just posting an update to my query at King's College Liddell Military archives on Force Viper records Had the rules for applying for photocopies or visiting in person sent to me as follows: </div><div class='quotemain'>An author should provide a letter from his/her publisher, an academic from someone from his/her university, a student from his/her supervisor - basically letters should be from someone of public standing who can vouch for the serious of your interest. They should also be on official headed paper I'm not a student, or an author, so a letter of introduction seems to be out for me Oh well, will just hope the extracts are published in some form one day.[/b] Caryl [/b] Firstly, I would say that "student" could be posed in the "literary" sense as it states his or her supervisor. I consider myself a student of History although it is not a formal undertaking. I would be surprised if a local school teacher (as your mentor) you know well would not support you in your quest and be accepted. Persons of "Public Standing" also belies the need I feel, that you must be a writer or academic or student in the true sense. JP, Solicitor, Lawyer, Doctor, Policeman to name a few who fit into this category. Second, being the nominated person to write one's family history would surely legitimize your request. Regards Geoff
(Caryl @ Dec 8 2005, 01:21 PM) [post=42858]Thanks for all of the welcomes Kiwiwriter, I'm not sure what you mean, but I'm no expert by any means, still learning My dad was in the MNBDO1 sent to Crete 1941 (he escaped over the mountains there after the German invasion) Force Viper (Burma) was apparently made up from volunteers from MNBDO1 This is on the Burma Star Association page ''Force Viper', a group of one hundred volunteers taken from Mobile Naval Base Defence Org 1 (MNBDO1)' MNBDO1/Force Viper Caryl [/b] MNBDO 1 was a brigade-sized group of Royal Marines (and other commands) initially created as a defense and anti-aircraft force for Suda Bay in Crete. When the Germans invaded Crete, it felt the teeth of the German parachute arm. So your father and the other survivors of MNBDO 1 were apparently regrouped into Force Viper.
Thanks for the suggestions Geoff. I'll see who I can muster as a 'Person of Public standing' to vouch for me Kiwiwriter, thanks for the extra info on MNBDO1, my dad was indeed at Suda bay. I've read that quite a lot were taken prisoner. Have you come across any accounts of any escapes over the mountains. I was wondering what route they took, and how they got off the island. I've been to Crete but not to that part, I was over t'other side. I did bring my dad back a book about the Battle of Crete (he was still alive then and I wish I'd asked him more about it, but always felt it was a subject he didn't want to discuss) the book I bought for him was mainly from the naval side of things Caryl
Hi i am trying to find out more info about my uncle ted l/c edward charles george parratt viper force rm mia 24/04/42 burma any info would be great john
Hi i am trying to find out more info about my uncle ted l/c edward charles george parratt viper force rm mia 24/04/42 burma any info would be great john Hi John, have you seen this. PARRATT, EDWARD CHARLES GEORGE Lance Corporal Royal Marines “VIPER Force” (R.M. Group, M.N.B. D.O. (1)). Age: 22 Posted missing presumed killed (last seen at Monywa)Date of Death: 24/04/1942 Service No: CH/X 3499 Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Parratt, of Boundstone, Surrey. Memorial Reference: Panel 84. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL tt Royal Marines Online - Irrawaddy - 1942
