Allo folks, looking for a recommendation for a book about Orde Wingate and especially his time in Burma and the LRP. Not especially interested in the hi' faluting side of things, more down and muddy in the bush, onions on strings, and that kind of thing. Thanks in anticipation.
Strewth, that line is very "how long is that piece of string..." Have you checked out the ABDA/SEAC/CBI book thread...? My own choice would probably be "Windgate And The Chindits" by David Rooney - pretty much covers it for me as it is possibly more "balanced", but not the only book I've got - the reasoning would be of interest in pointing you in the right direction... So much about Wingate is twisted one side or the other (nutter/genius) that it is difficult to see the jungle for the bamboo...
Well I ever let a possibly infinite answer put me off asking a simplistic question. No I haven't seen that thread. I have ordered that book up for a song off ebay, plus had a brief scan through it on Amazon including the bibliography so I'm now looking at the GM Fraser book. cheers
This is the link for a quick dip-of-the-toe-in-the-water... http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/books-films-tv-radio/30194-abda-cbi-seac-book-thread.html
If your still looking for a balanced book after all this time, you could try "Fire in the night: Wingate of Burma, Ethiopia and Zion" (Fire in the Night: Wingate of Burma, Ethiopia, and Zion: Amazon.co.uk: John Bierman, Colin Smith: 9780375500619: Books), by John Bierman and Colin Smith. This covers his entire life, not just the Burma bits, and gives a balanced assessment of the man and his work.
That is a good shout JJ. I also like Tulloch's book, Wingate in Peace and War. Sykes' biography is comprehensive, but very dry and often dull.
Thanks for the recommendation. I don't think I've got Tulloch's book! His nephew, who lives quite close to me, used to come out to us in Brunei to teach aural adjustment of indirect fire and I might try to get him to sign it for me.
Hi Steve, It's the badge of the British Army's Jungle Warfare Wing, previously and subsequently Training Team Brunei. Now it's called Jungle Warfare Division of the Infantry Battle School. Jerry