The Raiders of Arakan

by C.E. Lucas Phillips, Louis Mountbatten (Foreword)

In this narrative history, Brigadier Lucas Phillips records for the first time the exploits of a little-known paramilitary unit in the Burma campaign of 1943-4 and of the British and African soldiers with whom they carried out daring raids behind the enemy lines.

Genres: History, Military History

198 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Cecil Ernest "Peter" Lucas Philips was an author.

During World War I, he served with the Royal Artillery in France and Flanders. During World War II, he served with Montgomery in the Western Desert, and in Italy. He wrote several war books including "Cockleshell Heroes," "Escape of the Amethyst," "Alamein," "The Greatest Raid of All," and "Springboard to Victory." He was a passionate gardener and has also written books on gardening including the much acclaimed "The Small Garden" and "Roses for the Small Garden."

Reviews

[Varun Bhakay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The India-Burma Sector, though largely unheralded, was where the tide actually turned against Japan in the Second World War. After the woeful embarrassment at Singapore, here was an opportunity for the Allies to redeem themselves, in some of the toughest terrain where battles could be fought.

Brig. CE Lucas Phillips' book follows a special unit by the name of "V Force" who specialised in local intelligence accumulation and hit-and-run raids which, while not necessarily on the same scale as those mounted by the Green Berets or the Royal Marines - were effective jabs to cause the enemy some level of distress.

Most of the narrative, in fact all but a couple of pages of it, revolve around Maj. Denis Holmes, one of the Indian Army officers seconded to this little outfit. Brig. Phillips traces Holmes' entire journey with his largely indigenous force as they harassed the Japanese in the forests and villages of Burma.

Action-packed in a manner reminiscent of Commando Comics, the book is easily accessible with its simple writing and effective story-telling. It conveys the sense of the whole war rather well, and is particularly good in nailing down the intricacies of fighting in Burma.

But it is still popular history, so anyone wanting a more detailed understanding of the V Force would probably have to look elsewhere. It's a great starting point, no doubt, but there are definitely parts of it that betray Brig. Phillips' naivety as regards the politics of the time, which sometimes veers towards being tremendously problematic even.

Many thanks to Sapere Books and NetGalley for an ARC of The Raiders of Arakan: V Force and the Battle for Burma in World War Two.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A ton of information

Everything well researched and explained in detail.I enjoyed learning about raids and action, but also felt could have been done with fewer words.. I sometime found myself thinking come on let's get into the action.

[sue young · Rating 1 out of 5]

An unfortunately bombastic and jingoistic account written by a 1960’s military ‘Expert’. It was an embarrassment to read.

[Gerald E Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting l

This narrative covers a very interesting sector in Britain's recovery in Malaysia and Burma. Much of the type of action was new to me and I found it absorbing.

[Carl Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wii. Authenticity

Matter of fact tale of struggle against the Japanese. Day to day heroics and consternation to the enemy. A fine account.

[Paul Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read

I knew some of the story of the Arakan but nothing about V Force this excellent, exciting and well written book educated me. Loved it