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.
Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history–books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.
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This theater of the second half of the world war is under represented. The nuts and bolts of the campaign are interesting. It foreshadows the difficulty we had in Vietnam later. I never understood how the campaign was fought. Indigenous warriors fighting alongside the allies made the difference. Too bad Johnson didn’t see this before he sent our guys into nam.
Incredible history of dealing not only with the enemy but the natural elements. Great bravery against great odds. A part of WW II that most do not know about. Appreciated being able to read about these brave natives of Burma and how they helped to save their country.
As book 8 of The Corps series, this one continues in the same pacing and wonderful storytelling that you can expect from WEB Griffin. His weaving of historical WW2 events with the fictional characters he has created make you feel as though you learned a history lesson in the most entertaining way.
Reads like a text book, not a great historical book.
Important WW2 book. Very informative. I recommend.
Interesting history about little known events in WWII.
Interesting subject but not particularly well written.
Easy to read, clear story, well told about part of history that normally does not get told much. Must read for anyone interested in the parts of history that happen in the back ground of larger events.
Book is factual but not that engaging. Overly detailed facts recited in monotone fashion wear the reader down. Book shows extensive research but flow is like twenty miles over a rough unpaved road. The miles all blend together. Very little context re current situation in Burma and WW2’s impact thereon. I give it a gentlrmnan’s “C”.
a level of historical detail rarely seen
Fearless. Such grit. Such a tough environment.
I had no idea! Fascinating history with amazing larger than life individuals. People who could think outside the box and get things done. I ended up meeting a former CIA operative a few weeks after I read this.. we had a good conversation about the history of The Company.
The first part of the book was all about the people,but they finally got to some of the actual actions. Very informative. You need a map to fully understand all the movements.
Really great book, nice narrative style. Covers a part of seldom mentioned in WWII books—Burma Theater.
WW II info on part of war I knew little about. A friend served in China Burma India but had told me little
Very interesting story of the genesis of the OSS Burma operations.
Thoroughly enjoyable and informative. The mission and operations of the OSS in Burma in large part served as the template for U.S. Army Special Forces. Having served, worked and/or lived in Southeast on and off for 50 years, I know that Americans who have worked with and/or are familiar with the Kachin, the principal partners of the OSS in Burma, having nothing but praise and admiration for their courage, fidelity and good nature.
Very realistic. It gave me a new insight to World War Two struggles against the Japanese.
Tough men going above and beyond their duty.
Too dull to finish. If you don’t know much about the Korean war to begin with, this is probably not the book you want either.