THE CHINDITS IN BURMA AND THE FRIENDSHIP THAT HELPED ALF AND NORMAN SURVIVE.

To try to combat Japanese controlled Burma during WWII, a special operational force was created, known as the "Chindits."  Prior to their mission in 1943 they were trained in jungle warfare to withstand the difficult terrain and physically demanding conditions they were to encounter.

Troops and supplies were to be dropped by airplane. Norman Fowler and Alf Nicholls were with the fifth column, rifle platoon 7, led by Lt. Phillip Stibbe. Column 5 successfully completed their task on the 6th March which was to destroy a railway bridge at Bonchaung.  The fighting continued and eventually the fifth column was weakened, by the fierce battles they endured, and also having received just 20 days of rations in the 80 days they spent behind enemy lines. Alf and Norman were captured by the Japanese on the 11 May 1943 and sent to a prisoner of war camp. The friendship that developed between Norman and Alf was to be a source of strength and survival during their gruelling years in Rangoon Jail.  Their friendship continued after the war.
Kathleen, Alf's wife and his son Kevin are planning to write about Alf's experiences in Burma during WWII.

www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/4905/chindits-of-Burma
www.chinditslongcloth1943.com.

Thanks to Margaret Woods for her help with this story.
The picture is from a re-enactment at Tutbury Castle 2015.
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