On 15 August 1945, the surrender of Japan finally brought the Second World War to an end. War in Europe had ended a few months earlier, in May 1945, but in the jungles of Burma bitter fighting continued. The Burma campaign was one of the longest of the War, lasting over three and a half years. The Gurkhas, with their expertise in jungle warfare, played an important role.
To mark VJ Day 75, the ROYAL BRITISH LEGION working with the GURKHA MUSEUM and the ROYAL GURKHA RIFLES created this podcast and accompanying film (https://vimeo.com/showcase/6966586/video/448044440) to tell the Gurkha story of the Burma campaign in the words of those who were there. With especial thanks to Lt Col JP Cross and Buddhiman Gurung for permission to use excerpts from their interviews with veterans in GURKHAS AT WAR.
(1) INTERCEPTED AT THE SITTANG | Major Dickie Day, 4 GR
SOURCE: Gurkha Museum Archive
(2) ON THE RUN | Chakrabahadur Tamang, 1/7 GR
SOURCE: Gurkhas at War by JP Cross & Buddhiman Gurung
Recorded at Sir John Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe on 21.07.20
Reader: Rifleman Devendra Tamang (1 RGR)
(3) ACTION ON THE IRRAWADDY | Tilbahadur Thapa, 3/2 GR
SOURCE: Gurkhas at War by JP Cross & Buddhiman Gurung
Recorded at Sir John Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe on 21.07.20
Reader: Lance Corporal Jeevan Thapa (1 RGR)
(4) UNDER FIRE | Harkabir Gurung, 4/1 GR
SOURCE: Gurkhas at War by JP Cross & Buddhiman Gurung
Recorded at Sir John Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe on 21.07.20
Reader: Rifleman Nikhil Gurung (1 RGR)
(5) CAPTURING THE FLAG | Buddhibal Gurung, 3/8 GR
SOURCE: Gurkhas at War by JP Cross & Buddhiman Gurung
Recorded at Sir John Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe on 21.07.20
Reader: Lance Corporal Naresh Gurung (1 RGR)
(6) JUNGLE MANOEUVRES | Chhaba Thapa, 3/6 GR
SOURCE: Gurkhas at War by JP Cross & Buddhiman Gurung
Recorded at Sir John Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe on 21.07.20
Reader: Lance Corporal Sujit Thapa (1 RGR)
(7) BLACK FLAGS OF SURRENDER
SOURCE: A Gurkha Remembers, JP Cross (ChromeAudio)
(8) VICTORY CELEBRATIONS | Rewantbahadur Pradhat MM, 4/10 GR
SOURCE: Gurkhas at War by JP Cross & Buddhiman Gurung
Recorded at Sir John Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe on 21.07.20
Reader: Corporal Bijendra Gurung (3 RGR)
MUSIC | Sarara by Buddhiman Gurung
COVER IMAGE | The Gurkha Museum https://thegurkhamuseum.co.uk/summer-exhibition/
PRODUCTION | Producer - Catriona Oliphant for ChromeRadio | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp.