Background
Calvert was born at Rohtak in India, son of a member of the Indian Civil Service.
Calvert was born at Rohtak in India, son of a member of the Indian Civil Service.
He was educated at Bradfield College and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.
From late 1941 he ran the Bush Warfare School in Burma, and in 1943 he led a Chindit column under Wingate. A brigadier at the age of 30, Mad Mike commanded 77 Bde in the liberation of Burma (1944). Soon after “Vinegar Joe” Stil- well’s NCAC Hq took operational control of Lentaigne’s British Special Force (17 May 1944) friction flared up among the allies. The notoriously anglophobic Stilwell favored his American-trained Chinese divisions and his friend Merrill’s Marauders (Galahad force). While the Chinese advanced under secret orders from Chiang Kai-shek to husband their strength (Allen. Burma, 363), Calvert had increasingly heavy losses. After 1977 Bde spearheaded a cautious Chinese force, taking the strongpoint at Moguang on 27 Jun 1944. a BBC broadcast from NCAC Hq gave the Chinese the credit. Mad Mike signalled: “Chinese reported taking Mogaung. My Brigade now taking umbrage.” Continuing to suffer heavy losses in clearing critical positions on the road to Myitkyina, a vital strategic objective in the Allied campaign, 77th Bde was evacuated to India on 24 June 1944.
“The threat of a court-martial hung in the air” when the brigadier reported to Vinegar Joe before leaving. “You send some very strong signals, Calvert.” said Stilwell. “You should see the ones my brigade-major won't let me send,” replied Mad Mike. After laughing that he had the same trouble. Stilwell found the NCAC staff had misinformed him about Calvert's operations.