Jocks in the Jungle: The Black Watch and Cameronians as Chindits

In 1943, two battalions of Scottish soldiers were sent to India for rigorous training to become jungle fighters like the Japanese. Despite being first-class British infantry, they faced a formidable challenge. With only a few short months to transform themselves, the battalions joined a total of 7,677 officers and men, of whom 531 were killed, captured, or missing, and around 1,600 were wounded. By the end, only 1,754 could be classified as effective, and half of those were fit for no more than a hospital bed. This was considered the greatest medical disaster of World War Two, and the book seeks to answer who caused it.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

In 1943, the prospect of good times seemed distant for two battalions of Scottish soldiers as they embarked on a new and challenging training experience in India. For some of the Black Watch boys, their combat experience included battles in Somaliland, Crete, and Tobruk. Meanwhile, the Cameronians had fought the Japanese in the Burma retreat. Despite their prior battles, the rigorous training they underwent was a formidable trial by ordeal. Many of the Jocks were newcomers, freshly shipped from Scotland, but all of them were ordinary men from towns and villages who had answered the call to serve their country in times of peril. These soldiers were part of the Special Force, a group of first-class British infantry tasked with performing a special-forces mission. Their challenge in Madhya Pradesh was to transform themselves into skilled jungle fighters on par with the Japanese. With only a few short months at their disposal, they had to become Chindits, a formidable unit known for their daring exploits in the Indian jungles.

Upon entering the jungle, the two brigades they joined comprised a total of 7,677 officers and men, of whom 531 were killed, captured, or missing, and around 1,600 were wounded. By the end of their deployment, a staggering 3,800 soldiers were too sick to fight, and only 1,754 could be classified as effective upon their return. Shockingly, half of those deemed effective were fit for no more than a hospital bed. It was a miraculous feat that anyone survived the ordeal.

In total, five brigades were deployed to Madhya Pradesh, and the situation was equally dire for them. The medical disaster that unfolded in this region during World War Two is considered one of the greatest of its kind. The causes of this disaster are still debated, but this new book offers valuable insights and answers to these questions.

The book delves into the experiences of the soldiers, their training, and the conditions they faced in the jungle. It sheds light on the challenges they encountered, including disease, malnutrition, and extreme weather conditions. It also explores the role of the medical personnel and the inadequate resources they had to work with.

The book also examines the political and military decisions that led to the deployment of these soldiers to India. It highlights the lack of preparation and the inadequate support provided to the troops. It raises questions about the accountability of the higher authorities and the lack of recognition of the severity of the situation.

Furthermore, the book explores the legacy of this medical disaster. It examines the impact on the soldiers who survived, as well as their families and communities. It sheds light on the psychological scars that they carried with them and the long-term effects of their experiences on their health and well-being.

The book also provides a historical context for the events that unfolded in Madhya Pradesh. It traces the development of the Indian National Army and the role played by the British in shaping its formation. It highlights the cultural and political complexities that existed between India and Britain during the colonial era.

In conclusion, this new book offers a comprehensive and insightful examination of the medical disaster that occurred in Madhya Pradesh during World War Two. It sheds light on the experiences of the soldiers, the challenges they faced, and the political and military decisions that led to their deployment. It provides valuable insights into the legacy of this disaster and its impact on the lives of those involved. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of World War Two and the human cost of conflict.

Weight: 392g
Dimension: 157 x 232 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399085083