War in the Wilderness

? The special force of ordinary men who fought an extraordinary and terrible war 'War in the Wilderness' offers the disturbing and harrowing first-hand accounts of no less than 50 veterans of Major-General Orde Wingate's two bitterly-fought campaigns in North Burma in 1943?44. Chindit service in the Burmese jungle was widely acknowledged as the most demanding ground combat role given to any Allied troops in the Second World War. Landed by glider on rough and remote jungle airstrips, hundreds of miles behind Japanese lines, the men lived on emergency rations for months, battling the monsoon conditions, disease and a ruthless enemy. They marched for 1000 miles in tropical conditions, across some of the wildest country on Earth, with half their bodyweight on their backs. The Burma campaign left thousands dead and virtually all survivors were hospitalised. But those who did return remained Chindits for the rest of their lives. Their suffering and achievements were recognised by their place of honour, at the head of the annual Cenotaph parade. AUTHOR: Tony Redding is a former journalist and the author of 'Flying for Freedom: Life and death in Bomber Command' and 'Best Endeavours: Inside the World of Marine Salvage'. He is a Member of the Institute of Public Relations. He was inspired to write this book by his father's time as a Chindit in the Second World War. He lives in Canterbury. SELLING POINTS: ? The first book to fully describe the horrific experiences of the men who participated in the most punishing infantry combat campaign of the Second World War ? Previously unpublished photographs, many taken 'illegally' on campaign ? Previously unpublished accounts, formerly restricted due to sensitive information 170 b/w illustrations ***All royalties from sales of this book are donated to Friends of the Chindits.***