London: Jonathan Cape, 1952. First edition, first printing. This is a very good (or better) copy. The dust jacket is sunned at the spine and has some general shelf wear throughout – some very slight loss at the spine tips. It has been neatly price clipped but retains the price (16s. net). The text blocks are generally clean, but with the odd spot of foxing. The red top stain slightly dulled. The boards are sharp, but the bottom right-hand corner is lightly bumped. Complete with the map to the rear. To the front fly leaf, Calvert has written a lengthy inscription to Michael Freshney, Lieutenant and commander of the Burma Rifles section in Chindit Column 1. In blue ink, it reads: ‘To my friend, Malcolm Fresney, | On page 220 I give a deserved tribute | to that very five body of men, the Officers | of the Burma Rifles, and quote General | Wingate as saying “they were the finest body | of officers any unit ever possessed.” | I have recently seen many of them 25 years | later, and I have not altered my opinion, in | fear that behaviour, success, bearing and appearance | confirm it. | Malcolm Freshney was one of the ‘originals’ | in the first Chindit Operation and again the | 2nd Chindit Operation, and was ‘[?] [?] [?]’ | against the Burma Rifles [?] – the most | arduous campaign. | I was very glad to see you again… what Britain | needs is many more young men of similar talent, | drive, vision, courtesy, loyalty & courage as you & your | colleagues showed you had in Burma, & are now. | All my very best | Michael Calvert | 15 Oct 68 | London’. This is a sensational copy, inscribed at length to an instrumental part of the Chindit campaign. Calvert served with Freshney in Burma. Overall, this is a very good (or better) copy. One of the few acknowledged masterpieces written about the Second World War. Captain Michael Calvert, a devoted disciple of General Orde Wingate, accompanied Wingate on the first controversial expedition behind the Japanese lines.