Episodes

  • 14. Elephants, and novelising the retreat

    14. Elephants, and novelising the retreat
    Aug 25 2025
    This week Rob and Jack were joined by the brilliant journalist and novelist John Sweeney. Aside from his work all over the world and covering all sorts of topics, including Trump and Putin, John also wrote the novel Elephant Novel, set during the retreat from Burma in 1942, and partly inspired by 'Elephant Bill' Williams.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • 13. Through the Jungle of Death by Stephen Brookes - Book Review

    13. Through the Jungle of Death by Stephen Brookes - Book Review
    Aug 18 2025
    This week Rob and Jack review the excellent Through the Jungle of Death by Stephen Brookes. A wonderful, if traumatic, book about his families escape on foot out of Burma in 1942.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 16 mins
  • 12. VJ DAY SPECIAL! With Lord Slim, Sylvia May, and Alex Bescoby

    12. VJ DAY SPECIAL! With Lord Slim, Sylvia May, and Alex Bescoby
    Aug 15 2025
    Jack and Rob have a surprise VJ Day Special for listeners - bringing together a panel to discuss what is happening to support the memory, and spread knowledge of, of the Burma Campaign through their various work. Joining the FWP team are Lord Slim representing the Burma Star Memorial Fund, Sylvia May of the Kohima Educational Trust, and Alex Bescoby of Help 4 Forgotten Allies, and his new documentary on Sky History with Levison Wood - The Last Burma Star.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 6 mins
  • 11. The Evacuation of Burma

    11. The Evacuation of Burma
    Aug 11 2025
    In this week's episode Rob and Jack do something a little different. They discuss the civilian evacuation of Burma, including a number of eyewitness accounts from a variety of sources.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins
  • 10. Archie Wavell with Victoria Schofield

    10. Archie Wavell with Victoria Schofield
    Aug 4 2025
    This week Jack and Rob welcome Archie Wavell's biographer Victoria Schofield onto the pod.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 11 mins
  • 9. Experiencing the Retreat - James Lunt

    9. Experiencing the Retreat - James Lunt
    Jul 28 2025
    This week Jack and Rob take review their first book: the truly excellent A Hell a Licking: Retreat from Burma by James Lunt. A staff officer during the retreat, he recalled, the confusion, lack of preparedness, but also courage of the men of 1st Burma Division.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 8. Reporting the Retreat - War Correspondents in Burma

    8. Reporting the Retreat - War Correspondents in Burma
    Jul 21 2025
    This week Jack and Rob welcome historian Philip Woods, author of Reporting the Retreat: War Correspondents in Burma - hear some fascinating stories of the brave journalists in Burma in 1942 as the imperial edifice collapsed around them.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • 7. The Burma Rifles & the Burma Army

    7. The Burma Rifles & the Burma Army
    Jul 14 2025
    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.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 15 mins