'Mad Mike' Calvert Interviews

Thanks CF. It is definitely true that a few of the more senior officers glossed over their Chindit credentials in order to progress in the Army and it is possibly why Calvert never really did (although obviously he had other issues going on). I know for sure that one or two Longlcoth veterans down-played their parts in 1943 in order to side-step into service with the Arab Legion after the war. They remarked that ironically, that had Wingate not been killed, they would have been in direct conflict with him later on, assuming his continuation in the support of Israel.

All intriguing stuff.

 

I have listened to many of these wonderful recording but White City is barely mentioned, if at all, nor is the action at Pagoda Hill. Does anyone know if or when this will ever be added, and why hold back on what, for many, would be a most interesting account from a remarkable man.

Mike

 

I was disappointed with the Chindit content too. I doubt there would be anything else in the archive to add.

 

Hebridean Chindit says this in another thread "They do not have the copyright for all the material so they have not made all of it publicly available - those items can be purchased (so I'm told) or can be listened to at the IWM - not much use for you I'm afraid - they may become available, eventually..." So there's hope yet. I can't believe they interviewed Mad Mike and never covered the White City period. I think there must be other tapes. 'Mad Mike' Calvert Interviews

Mike

 

Thanks Mike. There is a little movement recently on some of the other Chindit related memoirs and documents. I can't really say at the moment, but a significant archive of material is about to be delivered to a museum.

 

Does anyone have the Interviews with Calvert: my special interest is in the Reels 19 - 21 (SAS Operations in Holland)

 

They are available to listen to on line, just click across to the number you want:

Calvert, James Michael (Oral history)

 

Thanks bamboo for providing the link - searched for it in vain this morning; I'm getting clumsy with the internet