The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2
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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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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
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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
These were prepared for the official histories, although in print they were black and white, so it’s great they’ve survived.
February 11, 2026 at 9:25 PM
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
That’s episode title 😂🤝
February 10, 2026 at 10:02 PM
No, it was online, I think alamy sell a high res photo but none of it was really named, you can see it in other sites as well. We should get you one to talk about it in a future series!
February 10, 2026 at 9:58 PM
No afraid not - it came up in a general collection when searching for some pictures and we liked the distances to the other places. There are other pics of other people there too, seems lots of people posed there.
February 10, 2026 at 9:46 PM
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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
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
A lot of tough fighting - all the way through as well. You should read our cohost @historybowsh.bsky.social books Forgotten Armour and Thunder Run - 7 Hussars and fighting with 1 West Yorks in the first, then they appear again in second.
February 9, 2026 at 8:53 PM
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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
February 9, 2026 at 6:31 AM
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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!)
February 8, 2026 at 8:52 AM
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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
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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
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
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
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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
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.
February 7, 2026 at 5:58 AM
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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
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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 👇
February 6, 2026 at 8:18 PM
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.
February 7, 2026 at 5:54 AM
Pic is a Japanese propaganda postcard made after their conquest of Burma.
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
February 6, 2026 at 6:08 AM