FORT MEADE, Md., Feb. 18, 2021 —
On March 5, 1944, a combined British–Indian unit known as the Chindits began parachute and glider landings behind Japanese lines in Burma. The drop included equipment and earth-moving machinery sufficient to build a large base within enemy territory.
The Chindit commanders used Communication Intelligence (COMINT) exclusively in their planning and operations, as did the U.S. Army Air Forces leadership. The British and Americans cooperated closely in developing COMINT and using it in operations in Burma.
Air support for this operation was provided by the U.S. 1st Air Commando Group. The Chindit commander, U.K. Brigadier Orde Wingate, had good relations with the Americans. In fact, Wingate sent a message to the Air Commando group saying, “we will go with your boys, any place, any time, any where.” This phrase became the group’s motto, which is still used today in its successor unit, the USAF Special Forces Command.