Behind Japanese Lines

With the OSS in Burma

By: Richard Dunlop

Narrated by: David Baker

Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

The extraordinary firsthand account of an American special forces unit in the jungles of southeast Asia and their guerilla operations against the Japanese during World War II!

In early 1942, with World War II going badly, President Roosevelt turned to General William "Wild Bill” Donovan, now known historically as the Father of Central Intelligence,” with orders to form a special unit whose primary mission was to prepare for the eventual reopening of the Burma Road linking Burma and China by performing guerilla operations behind the Japanese lines. Thus was born OSS Detachment 101, the first clandestine special force formed by Donovan and one that would play a highly dangerous but vital role in the reconquest of Burma by the Allies.

Behind Japanese Lines, originally published in 1979, is the exciting story of the men of Detachment 101, who, with their loyal native alliesthe Kachin headhunters fought a guerilla war for almost three years. It was a war not only against a tough and unyielding enemy, but against the jungle itself, one of the most difficult and dangerous patches of terrain in the world. Exposed to blistering heat and threatened by loathsome tropical diseases, the Western-raised OSS men also found themselves beset by unfriendly tribesmen and surrounded by the jungle’s unique perilsgiant leeches, cobras, and rogue tigers.

Not merely a war narrative, Behind Japanese Lines is an adventure story, the story of unconventional men with an almost impossible mission fighting an irregular war in supremely hostile territory.

Drawing upon the author’s own experiences as a member of Detachment 101, interviews with surviving 101 members, and classified documents, Dunlop’s tale unfolds with cinematic intensity, detailing the danger, tension, and drama of secret warfare. Never before have the activities of the OSS been recorded in such authentic firsthand detail.

©2014 Richard Dunlop (P)2013 Audible Inc.

amazing history of Heroism!

I'd never heard to the Kachin people and had no idea they fought with us. the story of the original OSS soldiers, their bravery, and individual Heroism was fantastic

Well read and written

Captivating listen, informative and sad account of the trails of war and the love of humanity

The OSS carved out a unique place in military annals.

A detailed account of the birth of the OSS with an unanticipated formation of a symbiotic relationship between allied forces and indigenous hill tribes. Those tribes people were equally indispensable to the hard fought retaking of Burma.

Entertaining!

One of the best I have read since joining Audible. Well performed and full of detail, with interesting facts about the OSS in Burma.

Worth a listen

Unique and interesting story of behind enemy lines and the guerrilla warfare utilized in Burma in World War II I greatly appreciate the story for sharing the view that one rarely sees or hears of World War II I would’ve liked the book to go in a little more detail about some of the actual combat formations and I would’ve liked to of seen a narrative as a relates to some of the main characters after the war what became of them did they continue to communicate with the Cochins narration was excellent

Fascinating

Amazing story telling about the OSS in Burma, something I’ve never even heard or read about before. The chapters are paced very well and I’ve never once felt lost in the jungle of words like these men had been. Highly recommend!

Slow to start, but worth the listen.

Well done performance. Great book. It was slow to get engaged in the beginning but it was well with money and time.

Phenomenal book. really enjoyed it

I wish there were more books about CBI theater on Audible. This book is an amazing story that is almost hard to believe.

History alive

Good book of the OSS behind Japanese lines in WW II. Hard to follow as the names of the villages and major characters are not familiar. But once past that the exploits of the OSS and their native allies is great.

Love it

As a history buff I’ve read hundreds of books on WW2. This book really shows what day to day life behind Japanese lines was like. Really interesting group of people in this book as well.