A Short History of the 1st (West African) Infantry Brigade in the Arakan 1944-45

Printed by E.G. Aylmer at Thackers Press & Distribution (Calcutta) in 1945, 70 pages. Hardback - c.14.5cm by 22.5cm (A10UVSO)

Comes with a small loose paper slip (10cm by 13.5cm), that reads: 'With the compliements of the Royal West African Frontier Force Officers Association'

From the foreword by Brigadier C.R.A. Swynnerton: This book was written at a time when no War Diaries were available from which I could check dates, etc. The M.S. has, however, been submitted to Commanding Officers of Units of the Brigade for checking and I am most grateful for their assistance and suggestions. It was felt better to produce a concise history of the Brigade's activities in the Arakan while events were still fresh in our minds and before our memories had faded, rather than to wait until more accurate data became available.

I therefore ask my readers to excuse minor errors, of which no doubt some exist, although I think I can say that, as a permanent record, this short history is as accurate as possible under the circumstances and contains no major mistakes.

Finally, I wish to thank all, ranks of the Brigade, British and African, for their whole-hearted, loyal and courageous work during a campaign of five months' march­ ing, fighting, unrelieved discomfort and peril. We had our ups and downs but the Brigade emerged from all its trials with a victorious record and the gratifying and well-founded certainty of having mastered the Japanese and of being First in number and second to none.

The condition of the book is generally good. The cover boards have some minor scuffs and blemishes, light bumping and wear along the edges and corners, and yellowing and foxing. The spine is intact and all pages are intact, unblemished and tightly bound. There is an inscription in pen in the top right hand corner of the first page (it looks like by someone who served in South East Asia Command), and yellowing to the inside pages throughout.