check out the last pics,one guys very lucky escape... Google Image Result for http://cbi-theater-1.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-1/life062843/p17.jpg
Hi Ray, This is my second post on the Chindits, I replied to Sandra about her G.Uncle in Burma/Irrawaddy etc. You have found pictures from the same operation in 1943. This magazine article shows how 18 soldiers were picked up by Dakota in April 1943 at a jungle clearing. The C/O of column 8, Major WP Scott had a hunch that the ground would just be safe enough for a plane to land, and eventually down she came. The men picked up were in a very bad way and included the senior battalion officer from the 13th Kings, Lieut. Col. Cooke. The area of land where the Dakota landed was named 'Piccadilly' by the British troops and was earmarked for future possible landings by gliders. The rest of the men left behind by the Dakota were all re-fitted and supplied, before having to march the rest of the way out on foot. It took about three more weeks and many did not make it! The Dakota pilot was one Michael Vlasto, his bravery was clearly shown when they came to examine the undercarriage back in India, it had a large amount of Burmese tree debirs attached to it from the take-off. Bamboo43.
The research that you have done for your Grandfather is immeasurable and I know has helped a few people, one I know to be me! I'm sure you knowledge will help others in their quest for information about their relatives or just for research purposes. This is why I feel it very important to undertake these personal tasks. The memory of these men must not be confined to historical documents, their lives and stories must be brought to therefore in order that future generations can remember the sacrifice made by those before them for those that would follow. It is without doubt an honour to be putting so much effort into finding what has happened in the past that I continue to want to find out more and keep the memory of my Great grandfather and the soldiers he fought with fresh in my mind at to pass this onto others for the future.
Cheers Urqh, me and Bamboo have been in touch and he has been very helpful with some pics in regard to that pic of My Dad I posted.
