Ernest John Harrison
known as Cpl Jack Harrison No 4980122

My name is Andy Harrison and I have my father sat with me. We were going through the web site and saw the Sherwood Forresters request. (The following is an extract from a letter that Jack sent to a military historian researching the Sherwood Foresters)

He still remembers those days of the War vividly, and who wouldn't! He has written his history of the Burma campaign so hopefully you can pick out of it what you want.

He was called to the 'colours' in 1940 and was given embarkation leave prior to sailing to Singapore. He was with the 2nd Battalion of the Forresters but during the medical to travel an irregularity was spotted with a gland in his neck and he had to have surgery. He missed his sailing and he was quite fortunate because when they landed in Singapore the Japanese were lying in wait. He recollects that all the battalion were captured / killed.

He was then transferred to the 13th battalion Forresters and was sent to work on the beach defences of the Thames estuary as rumours were rife that the Germans were ready to invade London.

In 1942 he was posted to India as the Japanese were coming through Burma and Assam and had reached the main rail head at 'Dimapur'. This all happened during the monsoons when the British said it was impossible. Unfortunately they underestimated the Japanese and panic set in.

General Wingate took charge and stated he wanted highly intelligent and physically fit young men to form deep penetration units. 'If the Japs could fight in the Monsoons, so could the British' retorted Wingate. After several weeks of jungle and physical training the units were ready for Wingate. All the clothing was died green and all gun metal was blacked out. Dads unit was approx. 200 strong, with an allocation of 12 mules, interpreter, medics and radio personnel. From this unit, a smaller group would go deep into the jungle, to establish the enemy position. He went on one of these missions and unfortunately lost his colleague to a Jap machine gunner. We have traced his colleague who is now buried in Kohima War cemetery.

The briefings were carried out by a 'group' of soldiers he refers to as similar to the Special Operations Group? They brought with them a group of natives, called 'Nagoos' or similar. They were commonly known as head hunters as they were paid to bring back the heads of Japanese soldiers for a cash return. This they often did on sticks! Wingate also briefed the unit, who he says was a man of few words.

The objective was to penetrate deep into and behind the Jap lines, 'kill as many as you can, cut their communications and by the way.........good luck'.

He says that the Special Operations Group were similar to a group who were behind enemy lines in Vietnam?? During this time he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington Regiment, the Chindits. They also had briefings by a jungle study group.

When on long range missions they were in mixed groups - Forresters, D of W,  Border Regiment, etc.

He has no recollection of Parachute training in the Forresters Wingate did give briefings but as stated he was a man of few words. Radio personnel were in direct contact with London. He states they were told orders were coming direct from London but looking back does not know whether this is true or not. There was only one radio operator per column The total length of the operation was 22 months, but the smaller penetration operations were sometimes weeks and days. The Operation was concluded when they captured Rangoon.

The unit also had a vet, muleteers? and a medic. The radio operators had been trained by the Royal Corps of Signals but were Forresters / Duke of Wellington

After Wingates death, Mountbatten was placed in charge, a man whom my father had great respect for and was deeply hurt when the IRA murdered him.

The biggest fear for the troops was that of being wounded or captured and tortured by the Japanese as the news of the atrocities had reached the frontline. Mountbatten went to the British and asked for immediate help but all effort was being concentrated on the D Day landings. Mountbatten left empty handed so went to the US Army and within a matter of days he re calls 13 Dakotas flying overhead dropping supplies. He writes in his notes 'Great men these, dropping us food in the jungle. It was very hard'

They became known as the 'Forgotten Army' as well as being called after the Chinth.

When they reached Rangoon, the Japanese starting to rapidly retreat. He states that prior to him being sent over to Burma, he is aware of the Forresters being involved in the great retreat from Burma in 1940 or 1941 this may help you.

He finishes 'Darwin, I wish you all the very best with your research and should you have any further queries do not hesitate to contact me through my son.

My best wishes and kind regards'

Cpl Jack Harrison

Andrew Harrison on Ajhaeh@aol.com