On the Irawaddy: A Story of the First Burmese War by G. A. Henty

Summary: With the exception of the terrible retreat from Afghanistan, none of England’s many little wars have been so fatal–in proportion to the number of those engaged–as our first expedition to Burma. It was undertaken without any due comprehension of the difficulties to be encountered, from the effects of climate and the deficiency of transport; the power, and still more the obstinacy and arrogance of the court of Ava were altogether underrated; and it was considered that our possession of her ports would assuredly bring the enemy, who had wantonly forced the struggle upon us, to submission. Events, however, proved the completeness of the error. The Burman policy of carrying off every boat on the river, laying waste the whole country, and driving away the inhabitants and the herds, maintained our army as prisoners in Rangoon through the first wet season; and caused the loss of half the white officers and men first sent there. The subsequent campaign was no less fatal and, although large reinforcements had been sent, fifty percent of the whole died; so that less than two thousand fighting men remained in the ranks, when the expedition arrived within a short distance of Ava. Not until the last Burmese army had been scattered did the court of Ava submit to the by no means onerous terms we imposed.(from the preface)


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Total running time: 8 hours, 47 minutes

To hear this book, click play in the box below or click on the chapter links.

00 – Preface

01 – A New Career

02 – The Outbreak of War

03 – A Prisoner

04 – A Ruined Temple

05 – With Brigands

06 – Among Friends

07 – On The Staff

08 – The Pagoda

09 – Victories

10 – The Advance

11 – Donabew

12 – Harry Carried Off

13 – Preparing a Rescue

14 – In The Temple

15 – The Attack

16 – Rejoining

17 – The Pride Of Burma Humbled

18 – In Business Again

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