The Special Operations Executive in Burma 1941-1945

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE Anglo-American war-time relations in the Far East, and particularly in Burma, are often characterised as being fractious.  This is primarily based on divergent... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE As anyone with an interest in the Chindits will tell you, there was no such column as 'Danforce' as this archive file suggests,... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE   Picture Credit: British Library, IOR L/POS/12/2241 At the beginning of the war against Japan, Chiang Kai-Shek was apparently 'very anxious to give... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE On 19 January 1943, Burma Country Section (BCS) dropped their first team back into occupied Burma.  Two Karen agents, Saw Archibald Kino and... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE The name of Major Eric Battersby permeates SOE's Burma files.  There are numerous documents signed off 'Eric B, Maj' which put him squarely... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE   Map showing Kachin territory. Picture credit Kachin Relief Fund http://kachinrelief.org.uk/kachin.html One of Burma Country Section's (BCS) earliest missions was to the Kachin... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE In 2015, Sir Max Hastings published his 'The Secret War: Spies, Codes and Guerrillas, 1939 - 1945.'  Of course, I was interested to... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE  The exploits of Major Hugh 'Stooky' Seagrim in Burma were first shared with the world in Ian Morrison's book, 'Grandfather Longlegs', published in 1946. ... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider buying my book HERE  December 1944, bridging the Chindwin.  Photo credit: IWM open source, click HERE The following are the comments made in the report of Maung Nyein Maung on... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website conside buying my book HERE  A little while back, I posted the 'The extraordinary Tale of a Chinese Agent in Burma'.  Here is the story of another Chinese agent, one who trained... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE Photo: Production of Mills Grenades, August 1942. Getty Images The following is a report written by 2/Lt. Joseph Marlam.  Marlam was an Anglo-Indian... Continue Reading →

Photo credit: Steve Fogden's superb Chindit website The Burma Gallantry Medal (BGM) was established by Royal Warrant on 10 May 1940 to be awarded to Burmese personnel serving in the various units formed for the defence of Burma.    Former soldier,... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE This post was inspired by the record of Jemadar Kolu Ban.  Kolu Ban, it seems, had an alcohol problem, which made him unusual;... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE Gurkhas of 50 Indian Parachute Brigade get ready to emplane.  Photograph credit: Here  In early May 1945, it was the troops of 26... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE   The Mergui Archipelago: Picture Credit Tom H Trip Advisor upload The title for this post comes from the identification password that was... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE Map Credit The press has been full of opinions about the current crisis in Rakhine State having its roots in the Second World... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE Map Credit: Chin Community Ministry Recorded variously as 'Charlie Thangkung', 'Thang Kung' and Lieutenant Thaung Kong, this post is all about the Chin... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE The 'Men of SOE' Roll of Honour on this website has  112 men added to it as of 3 December 2017.  If you... Continue Reading →

If you like what you see on my website consider clicking HERE, or buying my book HERE Ramree island entered the Guinness Book of Records for being the place where the biggest crocodile feast upon human flesh is supposed to... Continue Reading →