PRISONERS OF HOPE

by Michael Calvert

Landing by parachute and glider behind Japanese lines, Wingate's "Chindit" commandos pioneered long-range reconnaissance and techniques of air support that have since become standard in military operations.

Genres: World War II

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

Lieutenant Colonel James Michael Calvert, DSO

Reviews

[Stephen McMahon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides an interesting although at times overly pragmatic account of the British Army (and Colony nations) battles with the Japanese Imperial Army in the Burmese jungle during WW2. If you are a fan of military strategy, then you will enjoy this thoroughly as formations, plans of attack, defense, military equipment are described in detail. Although this is not an area of interest for me personally; i did enjoy this to some point as the author informs us in easy to understand terms. Where this book dissapointed me however is likely to be a product of the age in which it was written. Numbers of dead and wounded are listed following each battle but, despite light references, there is very little depth in terms of the human experience. Also, i would have been interested to understand a bit more about the intracacies of living in the jungle, i felt the book was light in detail on this. All in all, a worthy read and an honest account of a career soldier.