The Chindit Memorial - The National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire, UK
Posted by: Dragontree
N 52° 43.691 W 001° 43.992
30U E 585546 N 5842786
A memorial to the Chindits in The National Memorial Arboretum.
Waymark Code: WM93A7
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 06/21/2010
Views: 7
The Chindits were an airborne force combining the 1st South Staffords, 1st Kings, 1st Lancashire Fusiliers and 3/6 Ghurkas. They were part of the 3rd Division and were formed after 1942 known as the 77 Brigade. The full list of Forces involved in the Chindits is on the memorial and can be seen in the gallery.
The Battle of Pagoda Hill which was a successful engagement at Mawlu in Burma where the Chindits lost many men. The Chindit Force Commander died and Winston Churchill remembers Major General Orde Wingate as 'a man of genius who might well have become a man of destiny.'
On the memorial are plaques on all four side. The front bears a Chinthe and reads:
'CHINDITS A multi-national Special Force which engaged the Japanese within enemy lines Burma in 1943 and 1944
Their motto reads
"The Boldest measures are the safest." '
The memorial bears a plaque with the dedication details:
'Unveiled on 10th June 2007 by the Viscount Lord Slim OBE DL and Holly Wingate.'
The Chinthe is a mythical beast who was the guardian of Burmese temples; Chindit is a derivation from this. The Chindit's important work shortened the war as they worked bravely behind enemy lines.
Type of Resource: Memorial
Other from above - Please Specify: N/A
Date if Relevant: 06/10/2007
Relevant Position in Armed Forces: Many, combined Forces - please see gallery for the two plaques giving details.
Nationality: United Kingdom, Burma, Hong Kong, India, Nepal, West Africa and USA
Relevant Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions: You must post an original picture with your visit, preferably with yourself in the shot.
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