The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2
@forgottenwarpod.bsky.social
The definitive podcast about the Burma Campaign of WW2. Robert Lyman & Jack Bowsher take you through the incredible & often brutal war in SE Asia, out Feb 2025
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Going live on @WW2TV in about 40 minutes-7pm UK Time. On the 81 Anniversary of the 20th Indian Division's crossing of the Irrawaddy, I'll be going through the detail behind the longest opposed river crossings in the Second World War.
Tune in here: www.youtube.com/live/7fbw5Od... or catch it later!
Tune in here: www.youtube.com/live/7fbw5Od... or catch it later!
February 12, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Going live on @WW2TV in about 40 minutes-7pm UK Time. On the 81 Anniversary of the 20th Indian Division's crossing of the Irrawaddy, I'll be going through the detail behind the longest opposed river crossings in the Second World War.
Tune in here: www.youtube.com/live/7fbw5Od... or catch it later!
Tune in here: www.youtube.com/live/7fbw5Od... or catch it later!
Who built the vital war infrastructure? The Indian Tea Association provided 25k labourers to build essential roads & camps. Hear about this incredible, massive civilian effort that saved the frontier when the army had absolutely nothing. They would go on to help build the Ledo Road too #History #WW2
February 12, 2026 at 5:52 AM
Who built the vital war infrastructure? The Indian Tea Association provided 25k labourers to build essential roads & camps. Hear about this incredible, massive civilian effort that saved the frontier when the army had absolutely nothing. They would go on to help build the Ledo Road too #History #WW2
Reposted by The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2
A remarkable story that deserves to be much better known. Stories of great sadness and fortitude.
Out now! S3 E5 explores the desperate scramble to defend India in 1942. From logistical nightmares to the brave Assam Rifles, hear how this foundational period shaped the entire conflict. Listen to the full episode on your favourite podcast app today! Tune in now! #WWII #History #NewEpisode
February 10, 2026 at 11:46 PM
A remarkable story that deserves to be much better known. Stories of great sadness and fortitude.
Reposted by The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2
Thing to remember here is that most of this network did not exist in December 1941. Really quite incredible.
In 1942, Assam was a peaceful garden, not a garrison. Transforming it into a massive military hub by 1943/4 was a Herculean task. We discuss the frantic efforts to build roads and airfields under the dark shadow of a potential Japanese invasion. Join us for this truly epic story! #WW2History #Assam
February 11, 2026 at 6:32 AM
Thing to remember here is that most of this network did not exist in December 1941. Really quite incredible.
In 1942, Assam was a peaceful garden, not a garrison. Transforming it into a massive military hub by 1943/4 was a Herculean task. We discuss the frantic efforts to build roads and airfields under the dark shadow of a potential Japanese invasion. Join us for this truly epic story! #WW2History #Assam
February 11, 2026 at 6:31 AM
In 1942, Assam was a peaceful garden, not a garrison. Transforming it into a massive military hub by 1943/4 was a Herculean task. We discuss the frantic efforts to build roads and airfields under the dark shadow of a potential Japanese invasion. Join us for this truly epic story! #WW2History #Assam
Reposted by The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2
One of my favourite items is my 17 Indian Division 'Black Cat' badge. They feature in both of my books, and will feature heavily in the next one as well - the Black Cat Trilogy! It is especially poignant now because my black cat Sabrina died last summer, she was always very supportive of my projects
February 10, 2026 at 12:33 PM
One of my favourite items is my 17 Indian Division 'Black Cat' badge. They feature in both of my books, and will feature heavily in the next one as well - the Black Cat Trilogy! It is especially poignant now because my black cat Sabrina died last summer, she was always very supportive of my projects
Imagine a gruelling 748-mile journey involving roads, rail, and ferries across wide unbridged rivers. In 1942, getting supplies to the front was a preposterous challenge for India's planners. Learn why Assam was so unready for the coming war. Tune in now! #WW2 #Logistics #BurmaCampaign
February 10, 2026 at 6:34 AM
Imagine a gruelling 748-mile journey involving roads, rail, and ferries across wide unbridged rivers. In 1942, getting supplies to the front was a preposterous challenge for India's planners. Learn why Assam was so unready for the coming war. Tune in now! #WW2 #Logistics #BurmaCampaign
Reposted by The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2
Assam suddenly found itself on the frontline after Burma fell to the Japanese - if you like your logistics in preparing the region for war then this episode is right up your strasse!
Out now! S3 E5 explores the desperate scramble to defend India in 1942. From logistical nightmares to the brave Assam Rifles, hear how this foundational period shaped the entire conflict. Listen to the full episode on your favourite podcast app today! Tune in now! #WWII #History #NewEpisode
February 9, 2026 at 6:31 AM
Assam suddenly found itself on the frontline after Burma fell to the Japanese - if you like your logistics in preparing the region for war then this episode is right up your strasse!
Out now! S3 E5 explores the desperate scramble to defend India in 1942. From logistical nightmares to the brave Assam Rifles, hear how this foundational period shaped the entire conflict. Listen to the full episode on your favourite podcast app today! Tune in now! #WWII #History #NewEpisode
February 9, 2026 at 6:31 AM
Out now! S3 E5 explores the desperate scramble to defend India in 1942. From logistical nightmares to the brave Assam Rifles, hear how this foundational period shaped the entire conflict. Listen to the full episode on your favourite podcast app today! Tune in now! #WWII #History #NewEpisode
Reposted by The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2
To be fair to the naysayers it was NOT a success - with 30y/o maps, they couldn't find the railway bridge they needed to destroy and had to rush back into Burma due to other Japanese movements.
(FF4 in pic, no FF2 pic as far as I can find - do post if you have a confirmed one!)
(FF4 in pic, no FF2 pic as far as I can find - do post if you have a confirmed one!)
February 8, 2026 at 8:52 AM
To be fair to the naysayers it was NOT a success - with 30y/o maps, they couldn't find the railway bridge they needed to destroy and had to rush back into Burma due to other Japanese movements.
(FF4 in pic, no FF2 pic as far as I can find - do post if you have a confirmed one!)
(FF4 in pic, no FF2 pic as far as I can find - do post if you have a confirmed one!)
Reposted by The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2
A big myth of the 1942 campaign is that it was just a retreat. There was plenty of aggressive offensive action - even at the very beginning, an early example is Burma Frontier Force 2 (Kokine Bttn) who crossed into Thailand on 12 Dec 1941 and reached the Gulf of Siam (as it was known then).
February 8, 2026 at 8:52 AM
A big myth of the 1942 campaign is that it was just a retreat. There was plenty of aggressive offensive action - even at the very beginning, an early example is Burma Frontier Force 2 (Kokine Bttn) who crossed into Thailand on 12 Dec 1941 and reached the Gulf of Siam (as it was known then).
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At war's end, one role for #Force136 was assisting with the liberation of #POWs before their potential massacre by the #Japanese. Five Chinese #Canadians on Operation Hippo in Borneo were tasked with freeing prisoners at Batu Lintang Camp in #Kuching.
Upon surrender, Finnerty faced a Japanese officer who spoke perfect English. His words were chilling: 'Before this war, my best friend was a Scotsman. If I had him here now, I would treat him exactly as I am going to treat you'. (RAF POWs and Rangoon jail in pics) #WW2 #Burma #HistoryPod
February 7, 2026 at 8:22 AM
At war's end, one role for #Force136 was assisting with the liberation of #POWs before their potential massacre by the #Japanese. Five Chinese #Canadians on Operation Hippo in Borneo were tasked with freeing prisoners at Batu Lintang Camp in #Kuching.
Join Jack & Rob for S3 E5: Preparing Assam for War. We dive into the massive 1942 panic as Japan’s invasion left India’s northeast undefended.Hear how a sleepy backwater became a vital war front. Our newest episode launches tomorrow morning! Tune in here! (Dimapur station 1942, map 1936) #Burma #WW2
February 8, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Join Jack & Rob for S3 E5: Preparing Assam for War. We dive into the massive 1942 panic as Japan’s invasion left India’s northeast undefended.Hear how a sleepy backwater became a vital war front. Our newest episode launches tomorrow morning! Tune in here! (Dimapur station 1942, map 1936) #Burma #WW2
Upon surrender, Finnerty faced a Japanese officer who spoke perfect English. His words were chilling: 'Before this war, my best friend was a Scotsman. If I had him here now, I would treat him exactly as I am going to treat you'. (RAF POWs and Rangoon jail in pics) #WW2 #Burma #HistoryPod
February 7, 2026 at 7:15 AM
Upon surrender, Finnerty faced a Japanese officer who spoke perfect English. His words were chilling: 'Before this war, my best friend was a Scotsman. If I had him here now, I would treat him exactly as I am going to treat you'. (RAF POWs and Rangoon jail in pics) #WW2 #Burma #HistoryPod
Reposted by The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2
If you know a veteran, do sit down and ask them questions. Record what they say, film them if they and their family don’t mind. There are some wonderful stories that may never be heard otherwise.
We really have arrived at the point where the very last are slipping away.
February 7, 2026 at 6:07 AM
If you know a veteran, do sit down and ask them questions. Record what they say, film them if they and their family don’t mind. There are some wonderful stories that may never be heard otherwise.
We really have arrived at the point where the very last are slipping away.
February 7, 2026 at 5:59 AM
We really have arrived at the point where the very last are slipping away.
We really have arrived at the point where the very last are slipping away.
February 7, 2026 at 5:58 AM
We really have arrived at the point where the very last are slipping away.
Reposted by The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2
I recently got my hands on an original of this postcard, fascinating little details, including that the Japanese artist (Kazuya Takamitsu) doesn’t quite know what a Stuart tank looked like.
February 6, 2026 at 6:40 AM
I recently got my hands on an original of this postcard, fascinating little details, including that the Japanese artist (Kazuya Takamitsu) doesn’t quite know what a Stuart tank looked like.
Reposted by The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2
Very excited to be headlining Dispatches Magazine live event alongside my @forgottenwarpod.bsky.social cohost Robert Lyman!
Sunday April 26, The Great Barn, Fareham, Hants
Sign up at dispatchesmagazine.co.uk get early access when tickets are released 👇
Sunday April 26, The Great Barn, Fareham, Hants
Sign up at dispatchesmagazine.co.uk get early access when tickets are released 👇
February 6, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Very excited to be headlining Dispatches Magazine live event alongside my @forgottenwarpod.bsky.social cohost Robert Lyman!
Sunday April 26, The Great Barn, Fareham, Hants
Sign up at dispatchesmagazine.co.uk get early access when tickets are released 👇
Sunday April 26, The Great Barn, Fareham, Hants
Sign up at dispatchesmagazine.co.uk get early access when tickets are released 👇
For the first time @historybowsh.bsky.social and Rob will be onstage together, headlining the Dispatches Magazine live event on Sunday 26 April.
Sign up at dispatchesmagazine.co.uk for early access to tickets.
Sign up at dispatchesmagazine.co.uk for early access to tickets.
February 7, 2026 at 5:54 AM
For the first time @historybowsh.bsky.social and Rob will be onstage together, headlining the Dispatches Magazine live event on Sunday 26 April.
Sign up at dispatchesmagazine.co.uk for early access to tickets.
Sign up at dispatchesmagazine.co.uk for early access to tickets.
The fleeting hope of rescue turned to horror as a friendly Stuart tank was hit by a mortar and 'brewed up' right before the men’s eyes. Hearing the crew's screams amidst the ammunition inferno was a demoralizing blow for those trapped under the derrick #WWII #History #TrueStory
February 6, 2026 at 6:08 AM
The fleeting hope of rescue turned to horror as a friendly Stuart tank was hit by a mortar and 'brewed up' right before the men’s eyes. Hearing the crew's screams amidst the ammunition inferno was a demoralizing blow for those trapped under the derrick #WWII #History #TrueStory
Surrounded, facing near-certain death, the 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers maintained strict discipline. Late at night, amidst the flames of battle, they buried their dead in a final act of professional dignity & respect for the fallen. They are commemorated at Taukkyan #WW2 #Honour #BurmaCampaign
February 5, 2026 at 6:19 AM
Surrounded, facing near-certain death, the 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers maintained strict discipline. Late at night, amidst the flames of battle, they buried their dead in a final act of professional dignity & respect for the fallen. They are commemorated at Taukkyan #WW2 #Honour #BurmaCampaign
Reposted by The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2
An arresting pod and a reminder of the brutality of the Imperial Japanese Army.
Finnerty found himself & 28 men, many wounded, were trapped under a smashed oil derrick at Yenangyaung. Surrounded by Japanese forces in 100-degree heat, they used iron girders for cover in a desperate last stand. Hear the full story on your podcast app #WW2 #Burma #MilitaryHistory
February 3, 2026 at 11:38 PM
An arresting pod and a reminder of the brutality of the Imperial Japanese Army.
In the heart of the retreat, it wasn't just front-line soldiers fighting. Cooks, orderlies, and signallers were forced to take up arms in a desperate bid for survival. This episode honours the 'odds and sods' who stood their ground when all else seemed lost. #WWII #Podcast #BurmaWar
February 4, 2026 at 6:40 AM
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What a blast this last year has been! Glad so many people have been enjoying it - we’ve lots more to come!
February 3, 2026 at 6:17 PM
What a blast this last year has been! Glad so many people have been enjoying it - we’ve lots more to come!