THURSDAY

Operation Thursday

In January 1944 Japanese begun an offensive to India. In February 5 Fergusson's column of Chindits left Ledo for Burma, before the main Chindit operation, Operation Thursday.

In the beginning of March 5, when Fergusson had crossed the Chindwin River, two more Chindit brigades were flown onto landing zones in Burma, codenamed Broadway and Piccadilly, at night. Piccadilly, however, could not be used because the locals used it to dry teak logs so Calvert's 77th Brigade had to land on Broadway that had to be hurriedly cleared. The Chindit gliders landed on the third landing zone, Chowringhee, the next day. The next week 600 sorties transferred 9000 men to landing zones.

Chindit groups established heavily defended strongholds with an airstrip in easily defensible positions where they could not be harassed by artillery or armoured troops. They were again supplied and wounded relieved through air, this time mainly by US Air Force No 1 Air Commando. From these strongholds the chindits harassed Japanese communication and supply lines in northern Burma with hit-and-run tactics.

Ferocious jungle fighting ensued. At times, British and Japanese troops were in close combat, bayonets and kukris against katanas. on March 27, after days of aircraft attack, Japanese attacked Broadway for several nights before the attack was repulsed with flown-in artillery and the aid of Kachin guerrillas.

More men - total of 12,000 - were flown in. Still, when columns from Chowrinhee and Broadway met on March 20, it took them a month to establish themselves south of Indaw. Japanese also diverted more troops against them from the attacks against Imphal and Kohima. Fergusson's attempt to take Indaw from him base Aberdeen failed. In India, major part of the air support and the 6th Chindit Brigade, yet to be flown in, was diverted to defend Kohima.

After Wingate's death in an aircraft crash on March 24 1944 the command of the Chindits was handed to brigadier Lentaigne, one of the Chindit Brigade commanders known for his caution. In April he ordered the part of 111 Brigade that was west of the Irrawaddy, now commanded by John Masters, to leave their earlier outposts, move north near Hopin and to build a new stronghold, codenamed Blackpool. Fierce fighting ensued when the Japanese discovered the Chindit's position. Masters' troops had to be evacuated in March because the men were too exhausted after 17 days of continual combat. 19 Allied soldiers, who were so injured as to be beyond hope of recovery, were shot by the medic. When the rest of 111th brigade, under Fergusson, arrived in Blackpool, the Japanese attacked them before they could fortify.

In May 17th general Slim handed the control of the Chindits to US general Joseph Stilwell. Stilwell used them mainly as normal infantry (albeit without tank support), which lead to the larger casualties than before. In June 6-27 77th Brigade took Mogaung and suffered 50% casualties. When they were ordered to advance to Myitkina, commander Calvert shut down his radios and retreated to Kamaing. 111th Brigade in Blackpool had to abandon the stronghold when the Japanese took over the airstrip; they also had to shoot the wounded that could not move. The retreated to Mokso Sakan and were evacuated.

Due to the intervention of Lord Mounbatten, doctors were sent to evaluate the Chindits. At that time, most men were badly exhausted and suffered from malaria and dysentery. One column, containing four and a half battalions (2,200 men) was found to contain only 119 fit men. Mountbatten ordered Stilwell to evacuate all the wounded and the rest of the Chindits retreated. The last Chindit left Burma August 27 1944.