The Forgotten Chindits

Previously overlooked by historians, this is the story of 23 Brigade—the ‘Forgotten Chindits’—and its operations in the Naga Hills surrounding Kohima in 1944.

This comprehensive history follows 23 British Infantry Brigade from its formation in Egypt in 1939 to its disbandment in India in 1945. It examines how a mechanised infantry brigade was trained and hardened for its transformation into a long-range penetration Chindit formation.

The book also offers a fresh examination of the Chindit operations of 1943 and 1944 through the experiences of the 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, which played a central role in Operation Thursday in 1944. It traces the wartime experiences of the four infantry battalions and one artillery regiment that served with 23 Brigade, exploring the men’s activities before, during and after their time with the formation.

Drawing extensively on primary source material, the brigade’s story is placed within its wider strategic and operational context. Combining original research with detailed analysis, the book has been carefully written to remain accessible and engaging for the general reader.