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Book Description
A remarkable new oral history of the Second World War conflict in Burma
Product Description
From the end of 1941 to 1945 a pivotal but often overlooked conflict was being fought in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II - the Burma Campaign.
In 1941 the Allies fought in a disastrous retreat across Burma against the Japanese - an enemy more prepared, better organised and more powerful than anyone had imagined. Yet in 1944, following key battles at Kohima and Imphal, and daring operations behind enemy lines by the Chindits, the Commonwealth army were back, retaking lost ground one bloody battle at a time.
Fighting in dense jungle and open paddy field, this brutal campaign was the longest fought by the British Commonwealth in the Second World War. But the troops taking part were a forgotten army, and the story of their remarkable feats and their courage remains largely untold to this day.
The Fourteenth Army in Burma became one of the largest and most diverse armies of the Second World War. British, West African, Ghurkha and Indian regiments fought alongside one another and became comrades. In Forgotten Voices of Burma - a remarkable new oral history taken from Imperial War Museum's Sound Archive - soldiers from both sides tell their stories of this epic conflict.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Forgotten Voices of Burma draws on the vast resources of the Imperial War Museum's sound archive to retell this story in the words of those who were there. This book captures the essence of what it was like to fight in the Allie's largest campaign against the Japanese in Burma's austere environment. Thompson's narrative expertly stitches together numerous accounts of the conflict into a comprehensive, coherent and revealing story of how the `Forgotten Army' turned defeat into victory. Forgotten Voices of Burma will be of immense value to anyone with more than a passing interest in the 1941 - 45 Burma campaign.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was thoroughly impressed with this book.
Many who even know about the pacific campaign of WW2 only know of US marines conquering bitterly contested islands. This is true but often ignores other major and decisive campaigns in the Pacific theatre of WW2. Many dismiss this campaign in Burma as British Imperialism. However upon reading the horrendous and ultimately victorious cmapaign those men had to go through, one feels truly humbled and enlightened as to the sheer effort put in by this country and the commonwealth, and how this campaign equally contributed to the downfall of the Empire of Japan.
This campaign was every bit as brutal and energy sapping as all th other well documented campaigns of WW2, and i hope that this book will go some way to publicise this theatre of war which UK troops fought in, and do some much needed justice to them.
If anyone is interested in reading true soldier based history, wants to find out about less well known but equally as important campaigns in WW2, i suggest buying it. I only didnt read it all at once because of exam revision, it was that good.
Many who even know about the pacific campaign of WW2 only know of US marines conquering bitterly contested islands. This is true but often ignores other major and decisive campaigns in the Pacific theatre of WW2. Many dismiss this campaign in Burma as British Imperialism. However upon reading the horrendous and ultimately victorious cmapaign those men had to go through, one feels truly humbled and enlightened as to the sheer effort put in by this country and the commonwealth, and how this campaign equally contributed to the downfall of the Empire of Japan.
This campaign was every bit as brutal and energy sapping as all th other well documented campaigns of WW2, and i hope that this book will go some way to publicise this theatre of war which UK troops fought in, and do some much needed justice to them.
If anyone is interested in reading true soldier based history, wants to find out about less well known but equally as important campaigns in WW2, i suggest buying it. I only didnt read it all at once because of exam revision, it was that good.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is one of the familiar IWM `Forgotten Voices..." series.
Much of it's content will also be familiar to those who have read Julian Thompson's books `The Imperial War Museum Book Of The War In Burma 1942-1945' and `The Imperial War Museum Book Of War Behind Enemy Lines' (which covers the Chindits), which are far superior to this volume. This one claims to be "a new history of the Second World War's forgotten conflict", but many of the other personal accounts included here are also available in book form or online; Calvert, Randle, Norman, Dillon, and the 2 Norfolk stuff, for example. Other accounts, like Hogan's, are welcome, if rather confused, additions. Hogan is repeatedly referred to as a member of the armoured car section of 2 Burma Rifles; surely it should be Burma Auxiliary Force. A few West African & Indian accounts have been included for the obvious reasons, but it is sad to say that they are not that enlightening. What remains are recollections, some quite vague, without editorial comment. There is an infuriating lack of detail concerning dates and places. No attempt has been made to check or confirm people's names. This has lead to very many errors. This may be expected in an oral history project, but surely some comment should have been noted in the transcriptions. For example; the constant reference to Lieutenant Nolan (instead of Knowland) is quite shameful in view of his Victoria Cross award. Readers may also be confused by references to Typhoons at Meiktila, when presumably Thunderbolts were meant. Such errors are too numerous to list.
Many of the accounts are very good, but this format, which necessitates the chopping up of the personal accounts in a failed attempt to create a comprehensive historical narrative, works against the strengths of the material. The Imphal chapter is particularly badly organised, and the constant shifting back and forth between operations on the Tiddim Road and in the Kabaw Valley shows a lack of understanding of the operations under discussion, and will only confuse the general reader. The later operations, Meiktila and the Rangoon Road battles, seem particularly rushed, and, as usual, the Chindit operations are over represented. As a result it cannot be seen as a comprehensive account of the war in Burma.
A good deal of Space has been wasted on rather pointless glossary.
This is an IWM book so good photographs are to be expected, although the cheap paper makes them look a rather grainy. It is also disappointing
that so many post-war portraits have been used.
It is difficult to recommend this book to the general reader while the volumes mentioned above are still easily available.
Although the hardened Burma enthusiast will find much familiar content here, there is enough of interest to make it worth ploughing through the unhelpful format and the numerous errors.
Much of it's content will also be familiar to those who have read Julian Thompson's books `The Imperial War Museum Book Of The War In Burma 1942-1945' and `The Imperial War Museum Book Of War Behind Enemy Lines' (which covers the Chindits), which are far superior to this volume. This one claims to be "a new history of the Second World War's forgotten conflict", but many of the other personal accounts included here are also available in book form or online; Calvert, Randle, Norman, Dillon, and the 2 Norfolk stuff, for example. Other accounts, like Hogan's, are welcome, if rather confused, additions. Hogan is repeatedly referred to as a member of the armoured car section of 2 Burma Rifles; surely it should be Burma Auxiliary Force. A few West African & Indian accounts have been included for the obvious reasons, but it is sad to say that they are not that enlightening. What remains are recollections, some quite vague, without editorial comment. There is an infuriating lack of detail concerning dates and places. No attempt has been made to check or confirm people's names. This has lead to very many errors. This may be expected in an oral history project, but surely some comment should have been noted in the transcriptions. For example; the constant reference to Lieutenant Nolan (instead of Knowland) is quite shameful in view of his Victoria Cross award. Readers may also be confused by references to Typhoons at Meiktila, when presumably Thunderbolts were meant. Such errors are too numerous to list.
Many of the accounts are very good, but this format, which necessitates the chopping up of the personal accounts in a failed attempt to create a comprehensive historical narrative, works against the strengths of the material. The Imphal chapter is particularly badly organised, and the constant shifting back and forth between operations on the Tiddim Road and in the Kabaw Valley shows a lack of understanding of the operations under discussion, and will only confuse the general reader. The later operations, Meiktila and the Rangoon Road battles, seem particularly rushed, and, as usual, the Chindit operations are over represented. As a result it cannot be seen as a comprehensive account of the war in Burma.
A good deal of Space has been wasted on rather pointless glossary.
This is an IWM book so good photographs are to be expected, although the cheap paper makes them look a rather grainy. It is also disappointing
that so many post-war portraits have been used.
It is difficult to recommend this book to the general reader while the volumes mentioned above are still easily available.
Although the hardened Burma enthusiast will find much familiar content here, there is enough of interest to make it worth ploughing through the unhelpful format and the numerous errors.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The oral accounts of civilians and fighting forces on both sides
For all those tourists about to visit Burma, and those who have an interest in the history and the politics of the country, this book is essential reading. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Pat T
14th Army
While Europe celebrated the end of the war the 14th Army were slogging it out with an enemy that was far from beaten. Read more
Published 4 months ago by wanderer
burma ww2 campaign.
Another great book in the FORGOTTEN VOICES series.
It covers the campaign in Burma 1941-45 using the accounts of the people who were involved in it. Read more
It covers the campaign in Burma 1941-45 using the accounts of the people who were involved in it. Read more
Published 12 months ago by road nomad
Heroism and valour in Burma
Having recently read "Fighting Through To Kohima" by Michael Lowry and being an avid reader and admirer of the "Forgotten Voices" series, I was very much looking forward to reading... Read more
Published 14 months ago by DavyA
Forgotten Voices of Burma (a review by Thomas W. Johnson)
One of the great accomplishments of the Imperial War Museum was the oral history program for returning veterans after World War II. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Thomas W. Johnson
14th Army
A sound history of the "Forgotten Army". I thoroughly enjoyed it, though it made for sombre reading.
Published 23 months ago by Sqn Ldr Raymond Leach
Superb
Book arrived in great condition for Christmas. Postage reasonable and packaging excellent. Would buy again without hesitation .
Published on 20 Jan 2010 by Mrs
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