James, Harold Douglas (Oral history)

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Description

Object description

British officer served with No 3 Column, 3rd/2nd Bn King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (Sirmoor Rifles), 77th Indian Infantry Bde during First Chindit Expedition in Burma, 2/1943-4/1943

Content description

REEL 1 Aspects of period as officer with 8th Gurkha Rifles in India, 1942-1943: enlistment in Indian Army, 1942; unit recruitment areas in Nepal; Gurkha soldier's expectations of their British officers. Aspects of period as officer with 3rd/2nd Bn King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (Sirmoor Rifles), 77th Indian Infantry Bde in India, 1/1943-2/1943: transfer to Chindits (Long Range Penetration Groups) at Jhansi, 1/1943; question of unsatisfactory sudden recruitment of Gurkhas to First Chindit Expedition; question of effect on morale of having to leave casualties behind; composition of 77th Indian Infantry Bde; journey from Jhansi to Imphal, 1/1943; amusing story of doctor's criticism of Brigadier Orde Wingate's use of flit gun, 2/1943; his first meeting with Brigadier Orde Wingate; estimate of Brigadier Orde Wingate and question of his misuse of Gurkhas. REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of operations as officer with No 3 Column, 3rd/2nd Bn King Edward VII's Own Gurkha Rifles (Sirmoor Rifles) 77th Indian Infantry Bde during First Chindit Expedition Operation Longcloth in Burma, 2/1943-4/1943: question of using Gurkhas columns as decoys; entry of column into Burma, 2/1943; consequences of Gurkhas' inability to swim; organisation of first air supply drop and inadequacy of rations; coping with rigours of march; arrival at Rangoon-Myitkyina railway line at Nan kan, 6/3/1943; attack on railway, 6/3/1943; personal contact with Major Michael Calvert after blowing up of railway line; achievements and movement of Chindit columns. REEL 3 Continues: pursuit of column by Japanese, 3/1943; clash with Japanese forces at River Irrawaddy crossing, 23/3/1943; decision to give lethal morphia dose to wounded Gurkha; crossing River Irrawaddy, 23/3/1943; effect on Gurkha morale of having to leave wounded Gurkhas in Burmese village; orders given to Major Michael Calvert to blow Gokteik Viaduct; sing song held in jungle; ambush on Imperial Japanese Army near Pago. REEL 4 Continues: Japanese counter-attack; casualties during ambush; question of inaccuracy of official history's account of action; orders to return to India and abandon plans to blow Gokteik Viaduct; crossing River Shweli; Major Michael Calvert's decision to leave two Gurkhas behind; decision to break up column; Japanese measures to stop dispersal groups from recrossing River Irrawaddy; discovery of boat to cross river; refusal of Gurkhas to become wounded on last lap of expedition into India; reception in India.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1990 to the present day (production), Second World War (content), Second World War (association)
Creator: IWM (Production company)
Wood, Conrad (Recorder)
James, Harold Douglas (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 1992-01-22
Dimensions: whole: Duration 120, Number Of Items 4
Catalogue number: 12403

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James, Harold Douglas (Oral history)

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