Johnston, Cecil Macauley (Oral history)

British officer served as chaplain with 1st Burma Div in Burma, 1/1942-5/1942; served with 14th Infantry Bde, 3rd Indian Infantry Div during Second Chindit Expedition in Burma, 2/1944-8/1944

REEL 1 Recollections of period as chaplain with 1st Burma Div Burm Corps in Burma, 1/1942-5/1942: background to enlistment in British Army; military situation and conditions during retreat, 1942; Imperial Japanese Army Air Service attacks during retreat; effects of Japanese bombing; route of withdrawal across River Chindwin; information gathered from Burmese civilians; Japanese surrounding of Burma Corps on River Chindwin, 5/1942; treating wounded men; decision to withdraw to Shewbo, 5/1942; conditions on retreat to Shewbo and problems of water supply; devestated condition of Shwebo; contact with Chinese demolition party in Shwebo; reliance on relgious beliefs at Shwebo; arrival of Chinese trucks; train journey northwards; destruction of railway bridge; finding railway vehicle. REEL 2 Continues: improvising transport on railway; abandoned trains near Indaw; finding food on abandoned train; reaction to news that Japanese were north of Indaw; trek into India over Naga Hills; sight of dead refugees; carrying rations during trek into India. Aspects of period as chaplain with 14th Infantry Bde, 3rd Indian Infantry Div in India, 10/1943-2/1944: recruitment to Long Range Penetration Groups (Chindits) by Major-General Orde Wingate; question of physical fitness of recruits; devoicing of mules. Recollections of period as chaplain with 14th Infantry Bde, 3rd Indian Infantry Div during Second Chindit Expedition Operation Thursday in Burma, 2/1944-8/1944: growing beards; use of American K-rations; techniques for sleeping in jungle; problems of aircraft landing in and technique for constucting airstrips in paddy fields; Major-General Orde Wingate's reaction to aerial reconnaissance showing logs blocking airstrip at Broadway landing zone; flight into Broadway landing zone in Douglas Dakota; role of Chindits in northern Burma; waiting for air supply drop of explosives to blow bridge in gorge. REEL 3 Continues: information gathered from Burmese civilians; role of White City landing zone; role of brigade in counter-attacking Japanese troops at White City Landing Zone; evacuation of White City Landing Zone, 5/1944; reaction to American General Joseph Stilwell taking command of Chinidts, 5/5/1944; reaction to operating in jungle; reading of extracts from his commanding officer report at end of expedition; role as chaplain; reading of Major-General Orde Wingate's order of the day before start of expedition.