Chindits

The Chindits (Officially in 1942 77th Indian Infantry Brigade and in 1943 Indian 3rd Infantry Division) were a British jungle Special Forces unit that served in Burma from 1943 until 1945 as part of the Fourteenth Army during the Burma Campaign in World War II. They were formed into long range penetration groups trained to operate from bases deep behind Japanese lines.

Final Operations

On May 17, Slim had formally handed control of the Chindits to Stilwell. Stilwell insisted that the Chindits, already tired, capture several well-defended Japanese positions. The Chindits had no support from tanks or artillery and this led to heavier casualties than before. Lentaigne appeared to be unable to prevent this abuse.

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Over the period June 6-June 27, 77th Brigade took Mogaung and suffered 800 casualties (50%). Fearing that they would then be ordered to join the siege of Myitkina, commander Calvert shut down his radios and retreated to Kamaing. A court-martial was likely until Stilwell and Calvert met in person, and Stilwell finally appreciated the conditions under which the Chindits had been operating.

Related Topics:
June 6 - June 27 - Mogaung - Myitkina - Kamaing

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111 Brigade, after resting, were ordered to capture a hill known as Point 2171. They did so, but were now utterly exhausted. Most of them were suffering from malaria, dysentery and malnutrition. On July 8, at the insistence of the Supreme Commander, Mountbatten, doctors examined the brigade. Of the 2200 men present from four and a half battalions, only 119 were declared fit. The Brigade was evacuated, although Masters sarcastically kept the fit men, "111 Company" in the field until August 1.

Related Topics:
Malaria - Dysentery - Malnutrition - Mountbatten - August 1

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The portion of 111 Brigade east of the Irrawaddy were known as Morris Force, after its commander, Lieutenant-Colonel "Jumbo" Morris. They had spent several months harrassing Japanese traffic from Bhamo to Myitkyina, although with mixed success due to Morris's caution and indecision. They had then attempted to complete the encirclement of Myitkyina. Stilwell was angered that they were unable to do so, but Slim pointed out that Stilwell's 30,000 Chinese troops had also failed in that task. Morris Force was evacuated about the same time as 77th Brigade.

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14th Brigade and 3rd West African Brigade remained in action, assisting the newly-arrived British 36th Division in its advance down the "Railway Valley" south of Mogaung. Finally, they were relieved and withdrawn, starting on August 17.

Related Topics:
British 36th Division - August 17

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The last Chindit left Burma August 27 1944.

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