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Desperate Journey: Escape from Burma in 1942, through 900 miles of arduous, Japanese-occupied territory
“This is a story of escape; a true account of how a dwindling group of soldiers made their way to safety through nearly a thousand miles of Japanese-occupied territory in the teeth of the monsoon.”
On 20th April 1942, Captain Thompson received word that the defensive line held by their Chinese allies had broken; orders or no orders, he knew they had to move.
Separated from the rest of the Burma Army and weary from months of continuous fighting retreats, the survivors of his Karen Company began their long walk northwards. In the suffocating Burmese jungle the days turned to weeks, the weeks into months, and all the while the mental decay kept pace with their physical deterioration.
And yet, with such indomitable men as Subedar-Major Kan Choke and Subedar Ba Gyaw at Thompson’s side, his Company clung to each other and endured. When Fort Hertz finally came into view in August, the journey of nine hundred miles and untold maladies had left many of them little more than walking skeletons.
Written in 1944 but remaining unseen for over thirty years, Desperate Journey is an extraordinary true story of human endeavour, of faith, courage, tenacity and mutual trust in the face of insurmountable odds.
'Not since Graham Greene was creating his adventures has there been a writer with such haunting quality, the sweet sound of sad beauty, which Clifford engenders' - New York Herald Tribune
'Mr. Clifford constructs an anatomy of fear, drawing in with fine, sharp lines the exposed and shrinking nerves' - The Times
Francis Clifford is a pen name of Arthur Leonard Bell Thompson , a British writer of crime and thriller novels. He was born in Bristol, served with great distinction in the Second World War, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
On 20th April 1942, Captain Thompson received word that the defensive line held by their Chinese allies had broken; orders or no orders, he knew they had to move.
Separated from the rest of the Burma Army and weary from months of continuous fighting retreats, the survivors of his Karen Company began their long walk northwards. In the suffocating Burmese jungle the days turned to weeks, the weeks into months, and all the while the mental decay kept pace with their physical deterioration.
And yet, with such indomitable men as Subedar-Major Kan Choke and Subedar Ba Gyaw at Thompson’s side, his Company clung to each other and endured. When Fort Hertz finally came into view in August, the journey of nine hundred miles and untold maladies had left many of them little more than walking skeletons.
Written in 1944 but remaining unseen for over thirty years, Desperate Journey is an extraordinary true story of human endeavour, of faith, courage, tenacity and mutual trust in the face of insurmountable odds.
'Not since Graham Greene was creating his adventures has there been a writer with such haunting quality, the sweet sound of sad beauty, which Clifford engenders' - New York Herald Tribune
'Mr. Clifford constructs an anatomy of fear, drawing in with fine, sharp lines the exposed and shrinking nerves' - The Times
Francis Clifford is a pen name of Arthur Leonard Bell Thompson , a British writer of crime and thriller novels. He was born in Bristol, served with great distinction in the Second World War, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1979
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139 people want to read
About the author
Francis Clifford
62 books9 followersFrancis Clifford is a pen name of Arthur Leonard Bell Thompson , a British writer of crime and thriller novels. He was born in Bristol, served with great distinction in the Second World War, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 29, 2025
Great survival epic from another one of the greatest generation. This amazing story follows the author and his small band of men from his Karen Company of the Burmese Army that survived the initial Japanese onslaught in Burma in 1942 on their quest for freedom. What follows is a more than 900-mile journey on foot through the Burmese jungles towards Fort Hertz, never knowing exactly where the enemy is or where the next meal will come from.
This was written in 1944 and not published until 1979. The newest version has great notes on what happened to the various people they came across also attempting escape and what happened to them. This is a tale of perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit, and yet another great tale from World War 2. Highly recommended reading.
This was written in 1944 and not published until 1979. The newest version has great notes on what happened to the various people they came across also attempting escape and what happened to them. This is a tale of perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit, and yet another great tale from World War 2. Highly recommended reading.
May 22, 2016
“Desperate Journey” eBook was published in 2016 (May, written in 1944 but not published on paper until 1979) and was written by Francis Clifford (pen name of Arthur Leonard Bell Thompson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis...). Mr. Clifford published nearly 20 novels, this being his own harrowing story.
I received a galley of this Non-Fiction novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. This novel tells the true story of Arthur Thompson who, with a hand full of others, traversed 900 miles in four months across what was then known as Burma to escape the Japanese during early World War II.
The ordeal began in April of 1942 when British Army Captain Thompson heard that the Chinese defensive line had broken. Thompson was in command of a Karen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_p...) Company from the 1st Battalion Burma Rifles. These were men indigenous to Burma. The story tells of how they struggled through Japanese occupied areas, lived off the land, and fought to make their way back to Allied lines.
I enjoyed the nearly 6 hours I spent reading this 192 page account of heroism and ordeal. This account covered an aspect of World War II I had not read about before. I found it a very interesting story. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received a galley of this Non-Fiction novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. This novel tells the true story of Arthur Thompson who, with a hand full of others, traversed 900 miles in four months across what was then known as Burma to escape the Japanese during early World War II.
The ordeal began in April of 1942 when British Army Captain Thompson heard that the Chinese defensive line had broken. Thompson was in command of a Karen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_p...) Company from the 1st Battalion Burma Rifles. These were men indigenous to Burma. The story tells of how they struggled through Japanese occupied areas, lived off the land, and fought to make their way back to Allied lines.
I enjoyed the nearly 6 hours I spent reading this 192 page account of heroism and ordeal. This account covered an aspect of World War II I had not read about before. I found it a very interesting story. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
April 11, 2021
Gripping and well written. A desperate journey escaping from the Japanese through the hills of Burma. A story of courage,resilience and comradeship against unimaginable hardship.
May 16, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 1942, and Captain Thompson (British) and his group of Karen soldiers is forced to march north through Burma towards India and safety. Surrounded by dense jungle, and harried by Chinese and invading Japanese troops, he and his men struggle to keep themselves fed and safe as they rush north. Written very matter-of-factly yet intensely, the journey pushes every man to the brink.
April 1942, and Captain Thompson (British) and his group of Karen soldiers is forced to march north through Burma towards India and safety. Surrounded by dense jungle, and harried by Chinese and invading Japanese troops, he and his men struggle to keep themselves fed and safe as they rush north. Written very matter-of-factly yet intensely, the journey pushes every man to the brink.
April 19, 2025
Amazing tale of survival in Burma
The author lived this escape from the Japanese in World War II. An amazing tale of marching nearly 1000 miles without military support. Told without heroics as he remembered it happening based on his diary.
Hard to believe what humans are capable of despite death, disease, near starvation and the horrible heat and humidity of the Burma jungle. Inspiring!
The author lived this escape from the Japanese in World War II. An amazing tale of marching nearly 1000 miles without military support. Told without heroics as he remembered it happening based on his diary.
Hard to believe what humans are capable of despite death, disease, near starvation and the horrible heat and humidity of the Burma jungle. Inspiring!
September 28, 2024
An outstanding account of the author and his group of soldiers worked their way up through Burma to avoid capture by the Japanese army. It is harrowing to read of the privations, disease and injuries. It was astounding that anyone survived and I felt real joy to discover how many lasted the journey. Really well written description of the escape
April 22, 2025
Great
This book was very easy to get immersed in hard to put down. I find it difficult to understand how average people can overcome such horrible situations and come out able to have a normal existence.
This book was very easy to get immersed in hard to put down. I find it difficult to understand how average people can overcome such horrible situations and come out able to have a normal existence.
January 15, 2024
Awesome book!
I did not expect to find this book interesting, but it was! An unbelievable story, with ups and downs continually. The characters were awesome. The author is too!
I did not expect to find this book interesting, but it was! An unbelievable story, with ups and downs continually. The characters were awesome. The author is too!
February 14, 2024
Good story of bravery
A tale of hardship and endurance between the different races who came together to escape from Japanese forces in an exhausting march across Burma .
A tale of hardship and endurance between the different races who came together to escape from Japanese forces in an exhausting march across Burma .
May 12, 2024
A Fast and Good Read
A well written book about escaping from Burma to India during 1942. One learns much about the various ethnic groups that live in that part of the world.
A well written book about escaping from Burma to India during 1942. One learns much about the various ethnic groups that live in that part of the world.
April 15, 2025
Fantastic Account
The resilience of these soldiers was beyond remarkable. Their tale of endurance and determination certainly needed to have been told.
The resilience of these soldiers was beyond remarkable. Their tale of endurance and determination certainly needed to have been told.
Read
April 19, 2025A well written account of survival facing all the elements the jungles, mountains, rivers, and Japanese Army could throw at a small group. The hardships are unimaginable and amazing to even think of.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews