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The Naga Hills were very slippery so a group under Tom Best of the Queens went ahead and made it easier by cutting steps in the side of the hills and mountains. The mules were unloaded and all loads had to be manhandled over the hills and the mules were passed man to man. Then came the Naga country people — they were very friendly, the women kept well out of sight, and what was most interesting was they had flintlock guns made in London. Where they got their powder and shot from was not known. It was also in the village that the Nagas were chasing chickens with small bows and arrows.

At Midday halt we rested from 12 til 3pm, this being the Radio Link time, when contact was made with base in India and arrangements made for the next days, movement orders and contact with other columns for future rendezvous etc.

During the long trek, something we hadn’t seen before was men who had been shot and buried, dug up by the Japanese and strung up, and in many cases used for bayonet practice and officers using their samurai swords.

Malaria was with us all the time. We were given daily Mepacrin, also salt tablets. For dysentery we were given No.9 tablets, a large white tablet. Some had it so bad they could hardly walk but wouldn’t drop out — they knew that if they were to, they wouldn’t be taken prisoner — they would die.

This story was added to the People’s War site by Melita Dennett on behalf of George King, who understands the site’s terms and conditions.

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