ABSTRACT
Before the First Chindit Expedition was launched, there were three separate fronts in the Burma theatre: the front on the west coast, with its flank resting on the Bay of Bengal, was called the Arakan or southern front; the gateway to Calcutta which the Japanese hoped to reach. The Chindit operation was originally considered as part of a concerted frontal and rear attack against the Japanese central and northern fronts. Chindits were to pass through the front of British Corps in the centre, cross the Chindwin river, cut the Burma Railway in the enemy’s rear, harass the enemy in the Shwebo area and, if possible, cross the Irrawaddy river and interrupt Japanese supply lines to the northern front. Other Special Forces in Burma were the Special Boat Section and the Small Operational Group; both were primarily concerned with collecting Intelligence.
