The Jungle War: The Second World War Adventures of Lieutenant Jim Chance

Hannah Watson speaks to Dr Robert Lyman about her new book for young readers set in the jungles of Burma in 1942-43.

In support of both the Kohima Educational Trust and the Gurkha Welfare Trust, Hannah Watson has written a new book for young readers, aged between 8 and 14, which explores the early years of the Burma campaign.

‘The Jungle War’ is a fictionalised account of real events during the retreat from Burma in 1942 and the subsequent Chindit expedition back into Burma in 1943.

A thrilling, roller-coaster adventure, the book tells the story of the Japanese invasion of Burma, and Jim Chance’s epic retreat, with his Gurkha soldiers, back to safety in India. Jim and some of his Gurkhas then become Chindits, returning to Burma for further action in 1943.

Join Hannah as she speaks with Dr Robert Lyman about the origins of her book, the operations she depicts and her approach to bringing them to life for a young audience. 

This event has been developed by the Kohima Educational Trust as part of the Kohima 80th Anniversary Weekend.

About the speaker

Hannah Watson

Hannah Watson is an author and illustrator based in Oxford. After writing and editing over 30 titles for children with Usborne Publishing, her freelance work has focused on fulfilling private commissions, often illustrations of buildings around her historic home city. ‘The Jungle War’ is her first book written for the middle grade age range.