I’m delighted to announce the imminent publication of a new book for young readers (8-14-year olds) on the subject of the early years of the Burma Campaign. The book is written by Hannah Watson.
The Jungle War, subtitled The Second World War Adventures of Lieutenant Jim Chance is a fictionalised account of real events during the retreat from Burma in 1942 and Brigadier Orde Wingate’s Operation Longcloth back into Burma in 1943.
Jim Chance is commissioned into the 7th Gurkha Rifles in 1941 and joins his battalion in Burma just as the Japanese prepare to invade from Thailand in late January 1942.
An exciting, roller-coaster of adventure, the book tells the story of the Japanese invasion of Burma, and Jim Chance’s epic retreat, with his Gurkha soldiers, back to safety in India. Jim and some of his Gurkhas then become Chindits, and march into Burma for more excitement in 1943.
The book’s patron is Dame Joanna Lumley, who has described it as a ‘tremendous’ book, ‘a skilful depiction of bravery and the grim challenges of war.’ We’re also excited that absolute Gurkha legend Hari Budha Magar has written the forward.
So, how can you get hold of it? Final proofing and formatting is underway. The book is being published by the Gurkha Museum via Amazon, and will be available to purchase at the start of 2024. I’ll let you all know when it arrives, so you can buy it for all the children (and adults) in your life.