Operation Longcloth featuring 3,000 Chindits 80 years ago

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer

(Feb. 3, 2023) This week, 80 years ago, British Brig. Gen.l Orde Wingate led his 3,000 Chindits into Burma (now Myanmar) on what was called “Operation Longcloth.”

The word “Chindit” is a corruption of the Burmese word “chinthe,” which means lion. The official name was “Long Range Penetration Group.” Originally, the group included Gurkhas from Nepal. The Chindits were organized into eight groups, or columns, divided between the Southern and Northern Groups.

The Chindits were originally supposed to support an offensive into Burma. When that was cancelled, Wingate prevailed upon Gen. Archibald Wavell, commander-inchief, of the Middle East Command, to send his Chindits in anyway.

On Feb. 13, 1943, the Southern Group of Chindits crossed the Chindwin River, which stretches for 750 miles, in a north-south direction, roughly paralleling the India/Burma border, until it joins the even longer and larger, 1,422-mile-long Irrawaddy River. Two days after crossing the Chindwin River, the Chindits had their first encounter with the Japanese.

Wingate had much experience in unconventional warfare. He had organized a joint British-Jewish counter-insurgency unit in pre-war Palestine. In 1941, he organized a force in Ethiopia, which helped liberate it from Italian rule and restore its emperor, Haile Selassie, to the throne. Wingate was an odd fellow, with many eccentricities, such as meeting visitors to his tent when completely naked.

Obituaries

WILLIAM MERRILL HICKMAN SR.

Berlin

William Merrill “Bill” Hickman Sr., age 82, of Berlin, Maryland, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023 at Coastal Hospice At The Lake in Salisbury. He was born in Fenwick Island, Delaware, and was the son of the late Richard Hickman and Iva (Chesser) Greer. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for many years for Hitchens

World War Ii

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Wingate’s Chindits were to cut the rail lines between the Burmese capital, Mandalay, and Lashio, and the one between Mandalay and Myitkyini. To do that, Wingate divided them into two groups. The Northern Group, comprising 2,000 men and 850 mules, was to cut the rail lines, while the Southern Group, comprising 1,000 men and 250 mules, was to distract the enemy. The Northern Group crossed the Chindwin River on Feb. 14.

Lashio was a town of less than 5,000 but was the Burmese (Allied) terminus of the Burma Road, over which China was being supplied by the Allies, until Lashio was captured by the Japanese on April 29, 1942. It is located 120 miles northeast of Mandalay, and today has 131,000 residents. Today, Myitkyini is twice the size of Lashio. It is located on the Irrawaddy River, 488 miles from Mandalay. Myitkyini was the northernmost river port in Burma.

The Southern Group was ambushed outside of the village of Kyaikthin on March 2. They were able to destroy a railroad bridge and cross the mighty Irrawaddy River on March 10 at the village of Taguang, 127 miles north of Mandalay.

On March 6, the Northern Group assaulted the village of Pinlebu, located on the Mu River, and garrisoned by 800 Japanese soldiers. At the same time, the Chindits cut the railway line in several places and destroyed several railway bridges. Meanwhile Pinlebu’s Japanese garrison suffered 30 percent dead. Attempting to cross the Irrawaddy on March 13, a column of the Northern Group was ambushed, and lost 13 men, seven of whom were wounded and left for the Japanese. Four days later the rest of Northern Group crossed the big river.

In late March, the order came to return to India, posthaste. The first Chindits reached the Chindwin River and crossed without incident. Wingate and some of his men started for India on April 7.

Six days later they were able to cross the Irrawaddy River on bamboo

Brothers and Goody Hill Sand and Gravel.

He is survived by three children, Shari L. Baull of Frankford, Delaware, Dawn Hickman Holloway (Richard) of Berlin, Maryland, and William M. Hickman, Jr. (fiancé, Jennifer Campbell) of Etna, Ohio; two sisters, Shirley Craige of Snow Hill, Maryland, and Victoria Hickman of Ocean View, Delaware; four grandchildren, Amber Peterson (Josh), Courtney Baull (Kristy), Zachary Hickman and Anna Hickman; six great-grandchildren, Landon Peterson, Emily Peterson,

Lyndsey Peterson, Eli Peterson, Katelyn Austin and Jaxtin Hill.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Virginia L. Hickman, in 2018.

A funeral service was held on Feb. 1, 2023 at Whaleyville United Methodist Church in Whaleyville, Maryland. Burial was in Dale Cemetery in Whaleyville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Maryland 21802. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com.

Continued on Page 50 rafts supplied by friendly locals. Twenty days later, Wingate and his men reached the Chindwin River, only to find that it was heavily patrolled by the enemy, and there were no boats with which to cross! Those that could swim, crossed the 500 yard-wide, raging, Chindwin River, while their mates constructed rafts of elephant grass and bamboo.

Eventually, of the 3,000 men who began this “adventure,” 2182 returned to India. Of those, a mere 600 were fit for active duty, because of disease, infections, and malnutrition. Many would never return to that state of fitness. The Gurkhas, echoing Churchill’s reference to the RAF after the Battle of Britain, summed it up by saying, “Never have so many marched so far for so little!”

Gen. Wingate was killed in a plane crash in Manipur, India, on March 24, 1944. Not everyone mourned his passing. Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery said that he was, “...mentally unbalanced and that the best thing he ever did was to get killed in a plane crash ...”

Next week: Ekatarina Budanova and Liliya Litviyak

Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at: wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.

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PEGGY JEAN LEWIS LAYTON Salisbury

Peggy Jean Lewis Layton, was formerly of Hooper’s Island, Cambridge, Ocean City, Salisbury, Delmar, Delaware and Maryland.

Mrs. Layton was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother; and a business woman with her husband in three states and the Delmarva Peninsula.

She was born in Fishing Creek, Maryland on Hooper’s Island, Jan. 30, 1933, the third child of Julian E. and Bessie L. Lewis.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert L. Layton, on April 4, 2012.

She was also preceded in death by two brothers, William R. Lewis in 1975 and Earl (Sleepy) E. Lewis in 2002. Her father died in 1952 and her mother in 1969.

She was a member of the last graduating class of Hooper’s Island High School in 1949.

On March 31, 1951, she married Robert Lawrence Layton of Cambridge, with the Reverend Dale Ruth officiating. By this marriage of over 61 years, survivors with many fond memories include three sons, Robert (Larry) Lawrence Layton, Jr. and his wife, Pam Kraft Layton, Terry Van Layton and his wife, Jill Truitt Layton, and Ladd Lewis Layton, all of Ocean City, Maryland; six grandchildren: Beau Lawrence Layton, Lisa Layton Lynch, Morgan Layton Koster, Shelby Layton Rompalo, Robert (Bobby) Lawrence Layton, Ill, and Macy Van Layton; and eight great-grandchildren, Kaya Alexus Layton, Kaleigh Amarise Layton, Casey Robert Lynch, Piper Alexis Lynch, Lucas John Lynch, Robert Layton Koster, Weston David Rompalo and Layton Ryan Rompalo.

In 1959, the Layton’s started their first business venture, a coin-operated laundry which led to a chain of 22 operations in six counties on Delmarva.

In June of 1960, the Layton’s moved to Salisbury. In 1960 and in 1979 the Layton’s opened restaurants in Ocean City, Maryland.

Within both of these buildings, Mrs. Layton operated two stores, Peg’s Beach and Sportswear and Peg’s Beach and Tennis Loft. She loved choosing the merchandise and meeting and waiting on customers.

The Layton’s developed and owned other properties on the Eastern Shore including Court Plaza on South Salisbury Blvd. in 1975 and Layton’s Salisbury Sports Club in 1976, which they operated for 25 years.

For over 30 years, the Layton’s also maintained a private tennis court in Ocean City, hosting many wellknown figures.

Upon moving to Salisbury in 1960, Mrs. Layton and her husband became members of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Layton also held membership in numerous associations. Mrs. Layton and her husband enjoyed traveling, having visited all 50 states and over 30 foreign countries.

After her husband passed away, Mrs. Layton moved into Mallard Landing, Independent Living. Here she met her dear friends, Norm Raffish, Marilyn Hough and Jo Russen.

She enjoyed her friends there and the sense of community. Of all things she cherished most was her family.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, at Atlantic United Methodist Church, 105 4th St. Ocean City, Maryland 21842. Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. in the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wicomico County Humane Society at 5130 Citation Dr. Salisbury, Maryland 21804 or via the donate tab on its website at www.wicomicohumane.org; or Trinity United Methodist Church at 112 High St. Salisbury, Maryland 21801; or Atlantic United Methodist Church at 105 4th St. Ocean City, Maryland 21842.

Arrangements are in care of Hol- loway Funeral Home, P.A. 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury, Maryland 21804. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family.

Robert M Allen

Ocean Pines

Robert M Allen, 87, of Ocean Pines, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Jan. 27, 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn (nee Eaton), and his brother, Raymond M Allen.

He is also survived by his daughters, Cynthia Russell and Mary Hill, and her husband, Frederick, their daughter, Michelle (Stephanny), and son, Brian (Elizabeth), and Carol Clark and her husband, Michael, their daughters, Sara, Kelly and Emily; stepchildren, Mari Hillmann and her husband, Paul and their sons, Jake (Amber) and Henry; three great-grandchildren, Mark Van Dusen, his daughter, Crystal (Matt) and his son, Lee; two great-grandchildren, Christine Grant (Ed Janco), her sons, Michael and Matthew.

He was predeceased by his parents, J. Clarence and Elizabeth Morris Allen; his stepmother, and aunt, Ethel Morris Allen.

Bob was born in Neptune, New Jersey, and grew up in Wall Township and was a graduate of Manasquan High School Class of 1953. He also graduated with a degree in Agricultural Industries from the State University of New York, Farmingdale, New York.

At the time of his retirement, he was the Milk Plant superintendent at Johanna Farms, Flemington, New Jersey, where he had worked for 15 years.

Upon his retirement, Bob became very successful selling real estate, winning awards as top sales agent and producer several times at Long and Foster.

Bob was personable and friendly and went out of his way for others. He enjoyed fishing, boating, gardening and square dancing.

A viewing will be held at O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 NJ-35 Wall Township, New Jersey, 07719 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, followed by a prayer service at 11:30 a.m. Burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, Brielle.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or online at https://www.stjude.org.