Burma Star Association - B.C. Chapter
During
the 1939/45 War
a Special force was trained in Commando methods to infiltrate behind the Japanese
lines in Burma. They were known as the CHINDlTS, a name given to them by their
leader, Major-General Orde C Wingate, D.S.O.
After the initial expedition in 1943 the full force was marched or landed in the jungle on makeshift air-strips by glider or Dakota aircraft 200 miles behind the enemy lines in March, 1944.
The mission was successful and called Operation Thursday; this eventually started the rot, which led to the Japanese surrender.
The force suffered many casualties killed, wounded or taken prisoner. Many of the survivors still suffer today from the hardship, rigours and strain of the two long arduous campaigns, when the only contact with base was by radio; all supplies came by air-drop.
The Chindits were very much an International Force, which included British, Burma Rifles, Hong Kong Volunteers, Gurkhas and West African Servicemen. The R.A.F. and First Air Commando U.S.A.A.F provided air support.
The Chindit badge on the front of this card illustrates a Chinthe, a symbolic guardian of Burmese temples, a mythical beast, half lion, halt-flying griffin.
During the 1939-45 War a Special Force was trained in Commando methods to penetrate behind the Japanese lines in Burma. Some of the force marched 200 miles behind the enemy lines while others were landed by glider and other aircraft on makeshift airstrips where they remained for six months or more, causing damage, destruction and many casualties to the enemy, the force also had many casualties They became known as the "CHINDITS" a name given to them by their leader Major-General Orde Wingate.
After the war, the Chindits formed their own Association, largely to look to the welfare of those in need as a result of the special conditions under which they fought. The National Standard of the Chindits Old Comrades Association, which is depicted on the front of this card, was dedicated at Litchfield Cathedral in 1973, and carries the names of the units that comprised the Force. In the centre is the Chindit badge based on the force sign, this illustrates a Chinthe, a symbolic guardian of Burmese Temples, a mythical beast, half lion half flying griffin.