Share

cover art for 2. A Close Run Thing: the retreat from Burma 1942

The Forgotten War Podcast: Burma Campaign WW2

2. A Close Run Thing: the retreat from Burma 1942

Season 1, Ep. 2
•

This week Jack and Rob dive into the longest retreat in the history of the British and Indian Army, from the initial Japanese invasion, the role of Chinese troops, and the reasons for defeat. But cometh the hour, cometh the man: Slim makes his entrance!

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 7. 7. The Burma Rifles & the Burma Army

    01:14:57||Season 2, Ep. 7
    Joining Jack and Rob this week is Historian Steve Rothwell to talk about the Burma Rifles, and the Burma Army in general. Steve also runs the indiaburmasoldiers.co.uk website, and fantastic resource to begin research into the Burma Campaign.

  • 6. 6. The Chinese in Burma

    52:10||Season 2, Ep. 6
    This week Rob and Jack look into the Chinese role in the retreat from Burma, and the relationships between the US, China and Britain. They focus on the military side of things, although there will be more on Chinese troops as they evacuated the country in another episode later in the series...

  • 5. 5. The Jungle Rats - 7th Armoured Brigade in Burma

    51:45||Season 2, Ep. 5
    Jack finally gets to nerd out on 7th Armoured Brigade in the retreat in 1942 - and Rob happily indulges him!Listeners may notice that Jack mentions an interview with Victoria Schofield the previous week - due to unforeseen circumstances this has been pushed back to later in the series.

  • 4. 4. James Holland on Harold Alexander

    51:42||Season 2, Ep. 4
    This week Jack and Rob welcome author and historian James Holland onto the pod to discuss Harold Alexander.

  • 3. 3. Rangoon Falls

    58:00||Season 2, Ep. 3
    After the Sittang Bridge disaster, Rangoon was the next. Rob and Jack now look at the decision to abandon the capital, followed by the famous roadblock action at Taukkyan, and the retreat north to Prome.

  • 2. 2. Disaster at the Sittang Bridge

    58:31||Season 2, Ep. 2
    This week Jack and Rob dissect the disastrous decision to destroy the Sittang Bridge - the crucial moment in the 1942 Campaign where defeat became practically inevitable.

  • 1. 1. Lord Slim and the making of Bill Slim

    55:52||Season 2, Ep. 1
    The Forgotten War Pod is back with a bang! Rob and Jack exclusively interview Lord Mark Slim, Field Marshal Bill Slim's grandson. Talking about his childhood and early military career, and also what it was like growing up with (confusingly) 'Uncle' Bill.

  • 12. 12. Question Time: Burma Campaign Edition

    57:24||Season 1, Ep. 12
    Join Jack and Rob this week for a question and answer episode, maps to troop diversions, deception to grand strategy, this episode has a bit of everything, including a few teasers on Series 2.

  • 11. 11. Thunder Runs! Meiktila & Mandalay

    01:11:14||Season 1, Ep. 11
    This week Jack and Rob discuss two crucial battles, Meiktila and Mandalay, from the perspective of two generals: Thomas 'Pete' Rees, and David 'Punch' Cowan. Aggressive commanders, they were the right men for the right jobs, in an epic campaign that destroyed the Japanese Burma Area Army. A tale of drama, deception, endurance, and heroism - do not miss it!