Japan Triumphant

Abstract

Moving through Thailand, the Japanese attacked the British colony of Burma in February 1942 (refer to Map 41). Burma was important for guarding the flank of forces in Malaya, and the Burma Road was the only remaining Allied supply route to China. Rangoon was the main port for supplies for China. Wavell believed it could be held, but the British, Indian and Burmese forces (‘Burcorps’) were outflanked and forced to fall back. Japanese forces took Rangoon on 7 March. The arrival of two Chinese armies under the American General Stilwell in March made little difference to Japanese progress, and the withdrawal northward became a rout. General Alexander, the new commander of Burcorps, was forced to order a general retreat to Assam across roadless hills in the face of Japanese skill in jungle fighting, and air superiority. By 30 April, Lashio, the Burmese terminus of the road to China, was in Japanese hands. When the monsoon season arrived in late May, the Japanese were in full possession of Burma, which served as the western edge of their defensive perimeter.