Aves, Charles Alfred William (Oral history)

British private served with No 7 Column, 13th Bn King's Regt (Liverpool), 77th Indian Infantry Bde during First Chindit Expedition Operation Longcloth in Burma, 2/1943-3/1943

REEL 1 Background in London, GB, 1919-1939: family; education; employment; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Aspects of enlistment as private with 13th Bn King's Regt (Liverpool) in GB, 1940: reaction to conscription to army, 9/1940; joining 13 Platoon in Glasgow, 9/1940. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Oronsay from GB to South Africa, 12/1941: conditions for other ranks; contrasting conditions for officers; transfer to HMT Andes for voyage from South Africa, 1/1941. Aspects of period with 13th Bn King's Regt (Liverpool) in India, 1942: initial impressions of India; performing in dance band at Secunderabad. Aspects of period as private with 13th Bn King's Regt (Liverpool), 77th Indian Infantry Bde training with Chindits at Patheria, India, 5/1942-1/1943: effect of address to unit by Brigadier Orde Wingate; move to training base; rations; monsoon conditions; accidents including Lieutenant Neville Saffer accidentally shot by soldier during arms inspection, 3/8/1942; bout of malaria, 8/1942; qualities he respected in an officer; story of how he got to know Brigadier Orde Wingate personally. REEL 2 Continues: converations with Brigadier Orde Wingate; morale and malingering; explanation of terms 'Pukka Kings' and 'Jossers'; journey from Patheria to Kohima, 1/1943. Recollections of operations as private with No 7 Column, 13th Bn King's Regt (Liverpool) 77th Indian Infantry Bde during First Chindit Expedition, Operation Longcloth, 2/1943-3/1943: entry into Burma from Imphal, Indian, 2/1943; reaction to being in jungle; calling off of attack on Japanese garrison at Pinlebu; question of his luck in not running into Japanese forces; attitude towards crossing River Irrawaddy, 3/1943; relief at Brigadier Orde Wingate's decision to withdraw back into India; ambushing of unit by Japanese whilst recrossing River Irrawaddy; orders from officer to cross paddy field to attack Japanese position on west side of River Irrawaddy. REEL 3 Continues: helping Private Freddy Raffo who said he could not continue; securing rice supply from village; how Japanese surprised Chindit camp and how he and Corporal Stan Hickman returned fire; decision not to attack Japanese looting Chindit camp; problems crossing railway line on way back to River Chindwin; relations with villagers on trek towards River Chindwin; avoiding suspicious village; encounter with patrol from 1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders in Chindwin Valley; return to Imphal, India. Aspects of period of hospitalisation in India after expedition, 1943: going down with malaria; visit by Brigadier Orde Wingate; fate of other eleven in his group. Reflections on service with Chindits: reaction to news of Major General Orde Wingate's death, 24/3/1944. REEL 4 Continues: reasons why he declined to take part in Second Chindit Expedition in 1944; defence of Chindits castigated by authors.