No Mandalay, No Maymyo (79 Survive): Unique Episodes in British History

2001. Book Guild. Hardback Very Good / Very Good. Inscribed and signed by the author on the half-title page. 2nd Printing 2002.. Hard Back. Book Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine.. -Inscribed and signed by the author on the half-title page. 286pp. 5 maps & 16 photographs. [author was a 2nd Lieutenant 2nd Battalion, the KOYLI in Burma 1942]. In November 1941, aged 22, second lieutenant Gerald Fitzpatrick was reluctantly posted co 'a tropical peace station in the east'. He had no idea of the turmoil that was to erupt within seventy two hours of his embarkation due to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor.Three months later on 5 March 1942 he disembarked in Burma, joining what was to become known as Britain's 'Forgotten Army', withdrawing in disarray before the remorseless Japanese advance.Nearly sixty years later, with deep scepticism turned to incredulity, Captain Fitzpatrick recalls his feelings of betrayal and disillusionment towards those in authority over him and his proud regiment, the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, as they struggled and fought with incredible success in appalling conditions through Burma's torrid and hostile plains and jungles towards the Indian border. Few survived, and this book seeks to lay bare the flawed and incompetent decisions of those in military command and in Whitehall, that resulted in this most catastrophic of all British army withdrawals.The story is of the desperate army discarded by Churchill. in which survival required assertion of initiative and determination, superseding seniority in military rank, where necessary.

Y2