The Chindit Society

Thanks Jim and HW,

I have always wanted one of these, but never really chased one hard enough at auction. The one that got away for me was back in 2009, when the escape map for a Longcloth Commando went up on eBay.

Cheers

Steve

 

Ebay really is a double edged sword, it helps you find rare and wonderful things that you have always wanted. It then teaches you patience, resignation and forbearance as you watch some b----r outbid you by a country mile.

Unfortunately, the internet has allowed anyone to be an expert without putting in the hours of study. Everyone now seems to know the significance of the orange map.

 

I will treasure mine.

 

My dad never saw one...

 

I've often wondered if everyone on Operation Thursday received one of these maps.

 

My father was not involved in Thursday to my knowledge but did bring back a silk escape map.He liked maps and good quality items and always demonstrated how it could be disguised as a handkerchief if you were captured. Not sure if this would work in practice! Mine has been folded up in the past and has dark patches, maybe caused by ingrained dirt, caused by handling in use. Special care is needed in keeping these maps,I have been told.

 

Seeing the scale and detail on these escape maps, I am amazed that soldiers without great map reading skills did get out of Burma using them. Sadly, as I am sure I've mentioned before, nothing much exists belonging to my grandfather. I have his Army clothes brush with his Army number on it and a few photographs and a stylish tie pin.

 

My example has the original owner's Army Number written on the margin in indelible pencil. I seem to remember reading that they could be worn as scarves and used to signal aircraft during supply drops.

 

160 Field Reg RA (Much against his wishes and assigned as a Signaller (bright yellow radio in the Jungle!!)).
Transferred to The Second Expeditionary Force, The Chindits, to Burma. 927009 W/Bdr. H. Clegg

 

That's very interesting Peter. Were 160 Field Regiment RA the Gunners at the Blackpool Block attached to 111th Indian Infantry Brigade? I would be very interested to hear more about your father's time in Burma.

Did you pick up the link to the Chindit Society website re: membership?

Steve

 

Firstly:160 Fd Regt RA then transferred to The Second Expeditionary Force (The Chindits).
927009 W/Bdr Harry Clegg

 

Thanks Peter. I only ask because I was talking to the son of a Royal Artillery Chindit, who was a member of U Troop, which were the Gunners at Blackpool Block in May 1944. I'd love to hear more.

 

I have his War Diary (very spidery writing) that his ‘comings and goings’ friends that he saw shot etc, right upto to his discharge (£53.00 (he said) and then, “Thanks for nothing’.
Sad really.

 

That would be interesting to see for comparison purposes and attempt a transcription... I have there official diary... not that many pages, and a couple of maps that were in it... not very much comes up about it... there are some references in Tony Redding's book War In The Wilderness...
There is also an IWM transcription by Ronald Swann... his son (iirc) came and went here... posted a couple of items and then was gone...
Kenny

 

I’ll see what I can do re sorting his notes out.
There is a picture of him in Redding’s Book, squatting down making a brew.

 

Just a quick note to say, that it is highly likely that the Chindit society event in June will now be cancelled for the obvious reasons. More news to follow when I know more, but with all our surviving veterans now aged 97 years plus, we cannot expose them to any unnecessary risk. Hopefully, we can re-focus on the VJ Day commemorations in August, but only time will tell.

 

A note from the Chindit Society:

Sadly, and as expected, it has become necessary to cancel this year's main commemoration weekend planned for the 26/27/28th June. The Society is looking and hoping to attempt a gathering of some sort around the time of VJ Day, 15th August 2020. Details of any new event will be advertised in good time to all our friends and members.

 

For Steve and Simon, and all who follow the Burma/India threads, and given that at last count (courtesy of Steve) the Chindit Society had a couple or three surviving South Staffs chaps, I hope this may be of interest.

Taken out of the South Staffs loft box today (not looked at it myself for more years than I care to remember) and I hope, general information as it is, will be of some interest (I think it may be a bit of a rarity nowadays)

"Your Men In Battle", Chapter 4, The Chindits.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

Thanks very much for thus Jim. I had not seen it before although the content is familiar. I am probably going to be writing up an extra newsletter for the Society members in a couple of weeks and may include some of this. As you say, the South Staffs veterans will be keen to read this no doubt.

 

This was posted in a facebook group related to WW2 Burma. Thought it might be of interest.

https://www.peterharrington.co.uk/collection-of-material-relating-to-wingate-s-chindits-and-their-campaigns-in-burma-65880.html