The Chindits were a British Taskforce under command of Brigadier (later Major-General) Orde Wingate.
They fought in the Burmese campaigns against the Japanese in 1943 and 1944.
In the earlier part of the Second World War the European troops in Asia had been unable to cope with the Japanese Armies’ ability to live off the land and fight through the Monsoon jungles. This had allowed the Japanese to advance rapidly through Malaya and Burma right to the very borders of British India.
In late 1942 Wingate was given command of the 77th Indian Brigade which contained troops from various regiments. Wingate had long been a passionate advocate of long range penetration in jungle and other warfare.
The name Chindit was not made public until after the campaign of 1944. The 1943 campaign was to prove that
General Wingate’s theory, a long range penetration force in Burma, entirely supported by air, was possible.
The 1944 campaign was a success and was largely responsible for the final defeat of the Japanese army in Burma.
A fact confirmed by opposing Commanders in their post war memoirs.
General Wingate chose as the divisional sign the effigy of a Chinthé. This was a mythical beast that stood as a
guardian outside Burmese Temples. Divisional signs always prompted interest and were worn with pride by troops
who quickly coined the word ‘Chindit’ as opposed to the ‘ Chinthé’ and so a soldier serving under Wingate was know
as a Chindit.
A pagoda is also depicted on the badge, identifying the country of Burma and the symbolic steps under the Chinthé have been fashioned into the morse code of three dots and a dash which symbolises V for victory!
Wingate has been described an “An unstable crusader who had found a cause ...... he had first found fame for his irregular skills, and notoriety for his brutality, in Ethiopia”
When he was confronted by what he saw as the betrayal of Ethiopia he tried, but failed, to commit suicide with a razor. Colonel Hugh Boustead remarked on this “You bloody fool, why didn’t you use a revolver.”
Churchill however believed him to be a man of genius and audacity in command. Wingate aroused great passion
for and against him but this should not detract from the heroism and sacrifice of the troops he led in battle against
the Japanese.
More information on the Chindits Major General Orde Wingate
can be found here.........
Chindit photo gallery here.............
HISTORY OF THE CHINDIT REGIMENT
‘The boldest measures are the safest’
