Today's extract is from Chindit by Richard Road James.

CHAPTER IV

Across the Iroh body

The sun rose very hot next morning, and the dry deciduous jungle was breathless.

We sorted ourselves out and collected our kit.

No more sorties were to fly into Charinghi, as Wingate was nervous about its vulnerability.

On Broadway was taking 110 sorties a night.

Our other two battalions, the Cameronians and the King's Own, were flying into Broadway

and joining us later.

Meanwhile our first objective was the Iroh body, which lay between us and our operational

area.

We set off and halted at Midday near a filthy pool.

This we were told was the only water in the area.

We accepted it, and after elaborate precautions drank it, aware of a steadily growing first.

We joined the four Ninth Gurkers, who had landed before us, and who were now leaving us to

cross the Shwelly to the northeast.

The Brigadier came up and said it was the worst bivouac he had ever seen.

We agreed and stayed where we were.

Messages coming in from India were very cheering.

The two battalions were flying in faster than we had hoped, and another night would see

them all safely in Burma.

Meanwhile the plans for our crossing of the Iroh body were worked out.

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