WW2 Arakan Campaign of the Twenty-Fifth Indian Division Book & Maps

For sale is a WW2 The Arakan Campaign of the Twenty-Fifth Indian Division March 1944-March 1945 Book & Maps. This is an interesting and rare publication.

  The maps include:   MAPS: (In pocket inside back cover) Map I: General Map of the Arakan Map II: The Maungdaw Base Map III: The Advance on Akyab Map IV: Myebon and Kangaw Map Map V: Japanese Defence Map: Myebon Map VI: Kangaw Map VII: Ruywa and Tamandu.   The foreword states;   “(By Major-General G. N. WOOD, C.B E.,D.S.O., M.C.) THE object of this narrative is two-fold. First, to meet an eager demand from many members of the Division for a permanent record of the operations in which they shared, and secondly, to assist the future historians of the campaign to unravel a series of most complicated actions, and to fit them into the larger pattern of the Corps and Army battles. There is nothing unique or sensational in this story of the first three years of the life of this "young" division. Other Indian divisions have already played most prominent parts on a larger stage. Their achievements have been an inspiration to us. To the soldier, the striking fact that emerges from this narrative is that in the remarkably short period of 18 months, it was possible to raise and train such a complex organisation as an Indian division to the standard necessary to overcome a fanatical and war-hardened enemy. The explanation is simple. The founders and trainers of 25 Indian Division gave it a soul. On joining the Divisional I was immediately conscious of this inner strength, of which the outward signs were the happy confident bearing of the individual soldier, and the strong sense of comradeship between all units of all arms, British and Indian." In action, the Division learned in a hard school. Improvisation and unorthodoxy have been the key notes of practically all its operations. From this it has derived the "cool skill" in action to which our Corps Commander referred in his last Order of the Day. Many good men of all ranks have worked to this end during the last three years, and many have not seen the fruit of their labours, as casualties and re-organisa- tion have removed many familiar personalities. But they built well and honestly, and though the individual may go, the results of his labours remain as his memorial. Whilst this narrative was being complied, the Division was preparing for its supreme task. To us had fallen the high honour of making the main assault landing in Malaya, to be followed by the seizure of the main base port of the expedition, and a rapid thrust inland to secure the capital, Kuala Lumpur. The Division performed these tasks as planned, but against no opposition, and the entry into the capital was a ceremonial victory march, through a dense enthusiastic throng. Since then the Division has worked hard, but its tasks have been those of re- construction. We have disarmed the bulk of the Japanese garrison of Malaya, we have helped to restore law and order, to distribute food to a people on the verge of starvation tion, to rebuild roads and bridges, to help the sick and destitute, to re-open churches, and to set the wheels of industry in motion. No task could be more inspiring, and all ranks have played their part with enthusiasm. Under these circumstances, the problem of the production of this narrative has been solved in a remarkable fashion. By the courtesy and with the keen practical help of Major J. W. Snelling, Governor of Taiping Gaol, the whole of the printing has been carried out by members of the Kemp ei Tai (Japanese military police) rounded up by the Division and now in Major Snelling's safe custody. Capt. Holland of the Government Printing Works, Kuala Lumpur, has given technical advice and assistance, and the Survey Dept. of the British Military Adminis- tration has printed the maps. Many officers and N.C.O.s of Divisio nal HQ have worked hard to compile this narrative. Chief among them is Major Division has been the editing of all material and the authorship of the finished pro- Maitland Emmet, whose last service to the duction. 4.4. Wood Major General HQ 25th Indian Division 4th December, 1945.”   This is in mostly good condition, there is some damage to the spine which can be seen in the photos for more details.    This will be sent via royal mail 1st class signed for and dispatched within two working days.