In early 1942, with World War II going badly, President Roosevelt turned to General William Wild Bill” Donovan, now known historically as the Father of Central Intelligence,” with orders to form a special unit whose primary mission was to prepare for the eventual reopening of the Burma Road linking Burma and China by performing guerilla operations behind the Japanese lines. Thus was born OSS … Detachment 101, the first clandestine special force formed by Donovan and one that would play a highly dangerous but vital role in the reconquest of Burma by the Allies.
Behind Japanese Lines, originally published in 1979, is the exciting story of the men of Detachment 101, who, with their loyal native alliesthe Kachin headhuntersfought a guerilla war for almost three years. It was a war not only against a tough and unyielding enemy, but against the jungle itself, one of the most difficult and dangerous patches of terrain in the world. Exposed to blistering heat and threatened by loathsome tropical diseases, the Western-raised OSS men also found themselves beset by unfriendly tribesmen and surrounded by the jungle’s unique perilsgiant leeches, cobras, and rogue tigers.
Not merely a war narrative, Behind Japanese Lines is an adventure story, the story of unconventional men with an almost impossible mission fighting an irregular war in supremely hostile territory. Drawing upon the author’s own experiences as a member of Detachment 101, interviews with surviving 101 members, and classified documents, Dunlop’s tale unfolds with cinematic intensity, detailing the danger, tension, and drama of secret warfare. Never before have the activities of the OSS been recorded in such authentic firsthand detail.
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A history of the how the OSS fought in the jungles of Burma, behind Japanese lines. The The recruiting of locals who suffered under the invading Japanese to for a guerilla force that was effective and thoroughly at home in the jungles is fascinating. The inguity of the OSS officers setting up operational bases into mountains and jungles of Burma make for terrific reading.
Fascinating start os OSS in Burma
This books is interesting. They’ve made two movies about the operation to win back the Burma Road from the Japanese, neither of which are accurate. There is great detail that makes the book a little difficult to read, and the author never heard of the comma.
I learned a lot about WWII in Burma.
This true story is as gripping as fiction could be, but it is the well-documented account of guerrilla action in Burma during World War II when special American teams joined with natives of the Burma jungles to successfully fight Japanese invaders. Not every anecdote is pleasant, but they all depict true bravery and heroism.
very good book
This book was very informative about some of the unknown activities of our operatives behind the Japanese lines. There was a lot of details told of the hardships and dangers of the forerunners of the OSS. It is a little hard to follow with all the strange names and locations you’ve never heard before.
An interesting part of World
War 2 that you hear almost nothing about. Interesting relationship between the native tribe who worked closely with the OSS and associates. Outstanding stamina and endurance.
This history book told the story of the World War 2 secret ops against the Japanese in Burma (now Myanmar). It explained how and why the minority Kachin tribe in the mountains turned against the Japanese occupation forces and helped USA infiltrators to commit mayhem against Japanese soldiers and infrastructure.
Told from the perspective of American eyewitnesses, the account was a gripping page-turner. The author had great admiration for the Kachin people and their culture. The covert ops were described in great detail, including some incidents that were tragic and some that made me laugh out loud. I greatly enjoyed reading it and learned a lot.
Excellent history. Lest we forget!
A Tour de Force. The definitive work
History at its best. People struggling to be free and willing to make the necessary sacrifices.