The British Army 1939-45 (3): Far East

The Japanese onslaught in Asia following Pearl Harbor in December 1941 found the British and Indian Army garrisons of the imperial colonies unprepared for hard jungle fighting, not only in terms of equipment and tactical training but also in uniforms. After the bitter retreat came a frustratingly slow build-up for the eventual victorious counter-offensive. Starved of resources, 14th Army units modified and improvised; however, by 1945 experience was giving rise to some of the most modern tropical uniforms and equipment in the world. This third in Martin Brayley's series describes and illustrates in detail the road from 'khaki drill' to 'jungle green' .

About the Author
Martin Brayley is a military photographer whose service with the Royal Navy has taken him to most comers of the world. A long-time militaria collector, he has contributed many articles to specialist magazines in the UK and overseas, and is the author of WWII British Women's Uniforms in Colour Photographs (1995) and the well-reviewed The World War II Tommy (1998). He is currently working on a series of three titles on the British Army of World War II, of which the first is Men-at-Arms 354 on uniforms wom in North-West Europe, 1939-45. An expert marksman, he has represented Great Britain at international level. Martin Brayley lives in Hampshire with his wife and two children. Mike Chappell spent 22 years in infantry soldiering, retiring in 1974 as RSM of the 1st Bn., The Wessex Regiment (Rifle Volunteers). Since beginning to paint military subjects in 1968 Mike has gained world-wide popularity as a military illustrator, and has been a prolific artist and author for well over 20 years. He currently lives and works in Kent.