Have any members got any info on 'white city' stronghold? There is very little information online.Have read a lot of chindit books.I believe it's very difficult to get to,in the current political climate,and is also still a very dangerous place due to 'mad mikes' booby trapping skills. Anyone ever been?
If you can try to get hold of the official report on Operation Thursday from The National Archives (WO 203/4620), and the report on the air force contribution (AIR 2/7990)
Andy, White City and Broadway were the code names for two airfields that were established for behind-the-lines operations by the Chindits
mikky there's quite a bit about the African contribution to the Chindits (including a chapter on Thurday) in War Bush: 81 (West african) Division in Burma by J A L Hamilton. The book is rather pricey but should be readily available via your local library. There's also a few pages on the air force contribution in Probert's The Forgotten Air Force. I shall try to make some of the details available later. And have you read Rolo's Wingate's Raiders - a wartime publication but still an interesting read.
Thanks Kyt, I never seem to find the time to get stuck into the Chindits properly. Terence O'Brien sort of stuff?
Out of the Blue should cover some of the stuff Andy. His later book, Moonlight War, tended to cover more agent drops etc.
I'll get around to reading it/both one of these days. However, would like to begin at the start of his war with Chasing After Danger first. http://ww2chat.com/forums/obituaries/355-squadron-leader-terry-obrien-rip.html
Got through a bit of this and it seemed to be an interesting read: For Your Tomorrow: Canadians and the ... - Google Book Search Explores the Canadian contribution in Burma.
Thanks guys,never thought of archives/op thursday,will give that a go.Strongly recommend reading 'prisoners of hope ' by mad Mike Calvert.Incredible soldier. He was 77 brigade commander and led from the front. White city,was the most successful of Wingate's strongholds,blocks on railway line ,made to provoke the japanese into attacking. Haven't read rolo's book yet,have read quite a few others on chindits.Love the title of one i have yet to read "jungle jungle little chindit" Regards Mikky
Hi Mikky, I see that your post is over a year old, but long shot or not, I was in Burma last year, March 2008 and have photos of 'White City' (village of Henu), including Pagoda hill. I was on a tour of all the Chindit places of interest run by Poppy Travel, the tour company for the British Legion. The reason I was out there was that my Grandfather died in Burma (Rangoon Jail) in 1943, on the first Chindit operation 'Longcloth'. I have researched the subject very intensely and have made many contacts along the way. I have attached a picture of what Pagoda hill looks like today. hope this finds you? Bamboo.