THE CHINDITS BY NUMBERS
The Chindits endured the extreme privations of Burma’s hills, jungles and teak forests to bring the fight to the Japanese. John Ash unpicks the key numerics telling their story
1,000-mile springboard
In March 1942, with Japan making huge gains in Burma and seizing its capital, R angoon, British and Indian units had to withdraw up the Irrawaddy and Sittang valleys in appalling conditions, across tough terrain, harried by a determined enemy. By mid-May the British had been ejected from Burma, having withdrawn 1,000 miles. It remains the longest retreat in British military history.
The campaign remained largely stagnant into 1943, and a British offensive into the Arakan was pushed back. In late 1943, the British Fourteenth Army was formed, with Lieutenant-General William Slim elevated to lead it. However, massive restructure was needed, several formations were swollen and lacked the command infrastructure to operate efficiently. Many component units were unacclimated and lacked the training necessary for Burma’s jungles, mangroves and hills. Morale was also low, the British yet to win a major land victory against Japan and having suffered the humiliation of Singapore’s shock surrender in February 1942.
