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.

Interlude

Although British army officers in India criticized the effectiveness of the Chindits (Japanese railway communications had been out of commission for less than a week), their effect on the morale of the disheartened troops of Fourteenth Army was refreshing, and they were given plenty of publicity. Winston Churchill was impressed and took Wingate with him to the Quebec Conference. There they were promised support of a whole air task force. Much of the air transport available for the second operation was provided by C-47 aircraft from the USAAF 1st Air Commando Group which was created to support the Chindits. The US Army also began its own plans for the group that would later become Merrill's Marauders.

Related Topics:
Fourteenth Army - Winston Churchill - Quebec Conference - C-47 - USAAF - 1st Air Commando Group - US Army - Merrill's Marauders

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The forces for the second Chindit operation were called Special Force, officially 3rd Indian Infantry Division, or Long Range Penetration Groups, but the nickname had already stuck.

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As the members of the first expedition were making their way back to India, a second Chindit brigade, 111 Brigade, was being formed under Brigadier Joe Lentaigne. Wingate's plans for the second expedition demanded a greatly increased force, of six brigades. Wingate refused to use Indian Army formations in this force, officially because their training in long-range penetration techniques would take longer and their maintenance by air would be difficult due to the varied dietary requirements of different Indian castes and religions. Whether this was the true reason has occasionally been debated. However, Wingate did use Gurkha units of the Indian Army in both expeditions.

Related Topics:
Joe Lentaigne - Indian Army - Castes

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Whatever the reason, large numbers of trained British personnel were required quickly, and three brigades (14th, 16th, 23rd) were added to Special Force by breaking up the experienced British 70th Division, much against the wishes of General Slim and other commanders, who wished to use the division in a conventional role. A sixth brigade was found by taking a brigade from the West African 81st Division.

Related Topics:
British 70th Division - General Slim - West African 81st Division

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The expanded Chindit force trained in Gwalior. In addition to men from previous regiments, new men came also from Black Watch, Queen's Royal, Leicesters, Lancashire Fusiliers and two regiments of Royal Artillery, with three Battalions of the Nigeria Regiment and more Gurkhas. Men were trained in crossing rivers, demolitions and bivouacking. Brigadiers Calvert and Fergusson took command of two of the brigades.

Related Topics:
Gwalior - Black Watch - Queen's Royal - Leicesters - Lancashire Fusiliers - Royal Artillery - Nigeria Regiment - Demolitions - Bivouacking

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