Behind Japanese Lines

With the OSS in Burma

By: Richard Dunlop

Narrated by: David Baker

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.

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.

Some of the unsung heroes of WW 2

I had no idea of this part of WW2. A well told story of the struggles by all the parties involved.

The OSS in Burma

Would you consider the audio edition of Behind Japanese Lines to be better than the print version?

Yes. The audio version is more exciting. The material lends itself to dramatic interpretation.

What did you like best about this story?

The ingenuity and steadfastness of the indigenous guerillas. What resourceful, brave, intelligent, loyal allies were they.

Which character – as performed by David Baker – was your favorite?

All of the characters are riveting.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. The descriptions of torture are harrowing but also necessary to understand fully the barbarous ways of the Japanese military. Simply outrageous. They got what was coming to them.

Any additional comments?

Would make for a fabulous movie, if a very expensive one (given location, logistics, and the formidable environment/weather).

Very good reading

I learned something new from this book,that the OSS had fought the Japanese during WW2. I did not know we employed the native people from Burma to fight along side of the U.S. IS A very gripping story well told