How the Lurkers became the 14th Burmese

As another of the authors recalls, the name evolved as we were discussing how British military units seemed to accquire colorful, descriptive names...and we did not. Even honored units like the 82nd Airborne, or the 7th Cavalry, seemed a bit pale when held up to the 24th Regiment of Foot/South Wales Borderers, or the Peshawar Mountain Battery, the Coldstream Guards and, well, let's not even get started on the Scots Highland Regiments.

That night along the Usal River we formed the 14th Burmese Lurkers, a highly classified intelligence unit. Ostensibly formed in Rangoon in 1936, it was such a closely guarded secret that it has not been seen nor heard from since as they were, of course, always out in the bush, lurkin' about. But somehow their pay chits always manage to get cashed. In order to preserve their cover, the Lurkers evolved some very unusual traditions; e.g., the Regimental Anthem was never played by a band, only hummed softly under the breath, and then there was their distinctive salute, which was both hands stuffed into pants pockets.

All in all, not your typical military unit, in any man's army.