Rodney W. Anderson
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About
the Book
Often referred to as the Forgotten War, the Battle for Burma was fought in a geographically challenging and isolated region far from the major population centers of the time. But for the people who took part in it, the battle was a personal struggle to defend their homes from imminent Japanese invasion. Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Reginald Maddox was one such soldier.
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Born in Burma to a single mother, Patrick Maddox and his twin sister were adopted by the very doctor who oversaw their birth, Dr. Maddox. In 1941, Patrick enlisted in the Burma Rifles and was seconded to the Office of Strategic Services—Detachment 101. He spent the majority of the war behind enemy lines, using guerrilla warfare tactics to take down enemies in the hot, humid jungles.
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Part memoir and part autobiography, Shadows in the Burmese Jungle combines Patrick Maddox’s personal diaries with military records and first-person accounts from fellow soldiers to convey the challenges, sacrifices, and dangerous environment faced during the famous Battle of Burma. A perfect book for World War II history enthusiasts, it chronicles the physical and psychological toll of war, the heroism and sacrifice demanded from both soldiers and civilians, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Reviews
“A detail-thick biography of a military leader, Shadows in the Burmese Jungle covers successful guerrilla campaigns during World War II.”
—Foreword Clarion Reviews
"I am thrilled to have read another story of incredible bravery behind the lines in Burma. I knew of Lt. Col. 'Red' Maddox from my own research of Special Operations in Burma during the Second World War, and it has long been my view that here was a man whose war needed to be shared. Maddox was a truly remarkable warrior, as his son-in-law has so valuably illustrated for us. Having spent most of the time between February 1943 and July 1945 behind the lines, Maddox deserves to be remembered as an exceptional Special Forces operator from whom those now serving their country even now could take important pointers. Seconded from the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) to the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS), Maddox supported the advance into Burma in later 1944 and the first half of 1945, providing important intelligence, targets for the Allied air forces, and taking the Japanese on in numerous offensive guerrilla operations. His personal bravery and endurance throughout is something to be marvelled at, but his leadership and management of his forces also made a meaningful contribution to the Allied victory in Burma as Rodney Anderson shows us using both his research accumulated over many years and precious family papers. Shadows in the Burmese Jungle is a very welcomed addition to our Second World War Burma bookshelves, helping to ensure that the war in Burma continues to make steady progress into our collective memory and commemoration"
- Dr. Richard Duckett, Historian and Author of "The SOE in Burma"
About Rodney W. Anderson
Rodney W. Anderson is retired from the Canadian Department of National Defence. He was inspired to write his first book by the story of his father-in-law, Patrick Reginald Maddox. After obtaining Maddox’s detailed military records and wartime diaries, Rodney knew he wanted to share Maddox’s story with other war and history enthusiasts.
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In his free time, Rodney enjoys woodworking, building model boats, creating art, and doing genealogy research—always a popular pastime with his family. Rodney lives in Napanee, Ontario, with his wife Patricia.
