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The original intent had been to use the Chindits as a part of a larger offensive. When this offensive was cancelled, Wingate convinced General Wavell to send the Chindits into Burma anyway. Accordingly, on 8 February 1943, Operation Longcloth commenced and 3,000 Chindits, Wingate with them, began their march into Burma.
Officer Commanding (O.C.) Lieutenant Colonel Leigh Alexander (died during the operation) 1 Column (Major Dunlop) 2 Column (Major Burnett) No. 2 Group (Northern) O.C. Lieutenant Colonel S.A. Cooke 3 Column (Major Michael Calvert) 4 Column (Major R.A. Conron)(replaced by Major R.B. Bromhead March 1, 1943) 5 Column (Major Bernard Fergusson)
In Burma 142 Commando Company formed part of the Chindits (the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade), and fought in the first long-range Chindit operation behind Japanese lines, codenamed Operation Longcloth. The raid began on 8 February 1943 and lasted for about three months.
The operation (codenamed Operation "Longcloth") had originally been conceived as part of a much larger coordinated offensive, which had to be aborted due to lack of supplies and shipping. Rather than let the Chindits' training be wasted, Wingate nevertheless carried out the operation, even though its original purpose was invalid. [15]
Chindit Chasing, Operation Longcloth 1943, chinditslongcloth1943.com Chindit Memorial dedicated [ permanent dead link ] , National Memorial Arboretum, 15 August 2013 London: Chindit Memorial , Twentieth Century Society
Calvert led one of the company-sized columns in Operation Longcloth, Wingate's first Chindit operation in 1943. This was a long-range penetration operation behind enemy lines, which put great demands on the endurance of all who took part. Calvert was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his achievements on the operation. His column ...
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Wingate, the eldest of three sons, was born on 26 February 1903 at Naini Tal near Almora in Kumaon, India, into a military family (cousins of the Wingate baronets). [4] [5] His father, Colonel George Wingate (1852–1936), [6] had become a committed member of the Plymouth Brethren early in his army career in India; at the age of 46, after wooing her for 20 years, he married (Mary) Ethel (1867 ...