Covert Courage: SOE's Secret War in Burma with Richard Duckett

In this episode of the History Rage Podcast, host Paul Bavill interviews Richard Duckett, author of "The Special Operations Executive in Burma." The discussion delves into the lesser-known aspects of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in the Far East during World War II.Key Points:Diversity of Operations: Richard sheds light on SOE's operations in Burma, covering a diverse range of ethnic groups involved, including Chinese, Kachin, Karen, and more. The narrative dispels the misconception that all factions in Burma sided with the Japanese.Survival Stories: The conversation explores epic stories of survival by British prisoners of war (POWs) in Japanese camps. Richard highlights the brutalities faced by British agents, emphasizing the risks and challenges unique to the Far East theatre.Major Hugh Seagram: Richard recounts the heroic actions of Major Hugh Seagram, who surrendered to the Japanese to halt atrocities against the Karen people. The narrative extends to individuals like Saw Polar, a lieutenant with a remarkable escape and survival story.Operations Dilwin and Billet: Richard unveils significant SOE operations like Dilwin, a prolonged venture in Kachin territory, and Billet, focused on the Burma Independence Army. These operations contributed significantly to intelligence gathering and securing the Burmese resistance.Challenges in the Far East: The discussion explores the unique challenges faced by SOE in the Far East, including adapting to diverse ethnic groups, navigating the complex colonial context, and overcoming logistical hurdles in the vast and challenging environment.Collaboration with OSS: Richard shares insights into the collaboration between SOE and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), highlighting the forging of relationships that laid the foundation for future cooperation between British and American special forces.Resistance Movements: The episode touches upon the various resistance movements in Burma, encompassing Burmese nationalists, communists, and smaller ethnic groups. The complexities of these movements and their alliances are discussed in the context of the broader wartime narrative.Please subscribe to the History Rage Podcast on your favourite platform and consider supporting us on Patreon to get early access to episodes and exclusive perks. Join the conversation on TwitterYou can buy Richard’s book “SOE in Burma” at Amazon and you can follow Richard on Twitter @richard_duckettYou can follow History Rage on Twitter @HistoryRage or Paul individually @PaulBavill and let us know what you wish people would just stop believing using the Hashtag #HistoryRage.You can join our 'Angry Mob' on Patreon as well. £5 per month gets you episodes 3 months early, the invite to choose questions, entry into our prize draws and the coveted History Rage mug. Subscribe at www.patreon.com/historyrage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.