Uh-oh, it looks like your Internet Explorer is out of date.
For a better shopping experience, please upgrade now.
First Burma Campaign: The Japanese Conquest of 1942
384Overview
This fascinating narrative sets out the challenging geographical, climatic and political conditions the British were faced with in Burma as war became an increasing possibility throughout 1940 and 1941, before turning its attention to the dramatic events when the Japanese launched their ground assault on the country in January 1942.
There followed the ‘Disaster’ at Sittang Bridge, the fateful evacuation of Rangoon, and the march to the River Irrawaddy in an attempt to try and secure the north of Burma and its oil fields. But the loss of Rangoon meant the army was cut off from its supply base and the troops faced starving to death. With the Japanese closing in on the beleaguered British force, the decision was taken to abandon Burma and try to reach India. ‘The odds were we might escape either the Japanese, the failure of our supplies, or the monsoon, but our chances of avoiding all three were slender,’ declared General Alexander. His commander, General Wavell, wrote that, ‘operations were now a race with the weather as with the Japanese and as much a fight against nature as against the enemy’.
Along nothing more than rough country tracks up rugged hills and across rickety bridges constructed only of brushwood or bamboo the ragged, disease-ridden troops battled to reach India just as the monsoons broke. This, one of the most dramatic tales of the Second World War, was first described in detail by Colonel Foucar just after the events described and is now available for all to read.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781526783219 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Pen and Sword |
| Publication date: | 11/06/2020 |
| Pages: | 384 |
| Sales rank: | 629,599 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.40(d) |
About the Author
Table of Contents
Introduction John Grehan x
Chapter 1 1
Burma
Its physical features
Resources and Industries
Main towns
Communications
Lack of Communications with neighbouring countries.
Chapter 2 10
Early history of Burma
British associations with the country
The wars with Burma
British Rule
Self Government and its results
Japanese influences.
Chapter 3 20
Events in the Far East
Japanese aims and aggression
Military forces in Burma
Military effect of the Separation from India
Creation of the Army in Burma
Expansion from 1939 onwards
State of preparedness of Burma on outbreak of war with Japan in December 1941
Other Allied Forces in Burma
Forces employed by Japan in Burma.
Chapter 4 40
Appreciations of a possible Japanese attack on Burma
View of Singapore Defence Conference
View of Burma Army
Dispositions made in accordance with these views
Reconsideration of situation after outbreak of war with Japan
Changes of Command affecting Burma
The Reinforcement problem.
Chapter 5 50
Opening of the Campaign in December 1941
Early Operations
F.F.2 raid on Prachuab Girikhan
Japanese occupation of Victoria Point and Bokpyin
F.F.2 attack on Bokpyin
Other Operations in Tenasserim, Karenni, and in the Shan States
Internal conditions in Burma
Air raids on Rangoon and their serious results
Civil Defence in Burma.
Chapter 6 57
Detailed appreciation of the military situation by Lieut.-General Mutton
Events in Tenasserim in January 1942
Signs of an early Japanese advance
Evacuation of Mergui
Japanese attack and capture Tavoy
Advance of Japanese 55th Division on Kawkareik
Operations in that area
Withdrawal of 16 Brigade.
Chapter 7 70
The Japanese advance on Moulmein
Operations leading up to the attack on that town on January 30th 1942
The defence of Moulmein
British withdrawal on January 31st, 1942.
Chapter 8 79
Operations on the west bank of the Salween river
Defence of and withdrawal from Martaban
Attack on the 7 th Battalion 10th Baluch Regiment at Kuzeik
Decision to withdraw to the Bilin river
Evacuation of Thaton on February 15th, 1942.
Chapter 9 93
British dispositions on the Bilin river line
Operations on that line
Heavy enemy attacks held
Japanese infiltrate round both flanks and carry out coastal landings
Withdrawal of 17 Division to Kyaikto.
Chapter 10 104
Operations carried out by 17 Division on February 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 1942
The withdrawal from Kyaikto
Japanese attacks on the Sittang bridgehead and on our force east of the river
Battle of the Sittang
Withdrawal of 17 Division across the Sittang.
Chapter 11 123
Operations in the Pegu area between February 26th and March 8th, 1942
The Japanese attack on Pegu
Establishment of a road block south of Pegu
British withdrawal from Pegu and successful attack on the road block.
Chapter 12 136
Situation in Rangoon during January and February 1942
Labour shortage
Evacuation of non-essential population
Outbreak of lawlessness and looting
Decision of General Alexander to abandon the port
Demolitions
Final withdrawal from Rangoon
The enemy establish a road block on the road to Prome
Operations in the Taukkyan area on March 7th and 8th, 1942.
Chapter 13 149
Effects of the loss of Rangoon
Regrouping of British forces in the Irrawaddy valley
Formation of Burcorps
Minor operations at Henzada and Letpadan
Japanese attacks on A.V.G. and R.A.F. at Magwe and the serious results thereof
Formation of a striking force by Burcorps
Operations of striking force at Padigon and Paungde
Enemy establish a road block at Shwedaung
Action at Shwedaung
Attack on our force at Padaung.
Chapter 14 165
Operations in the Shan States and Karenni in January and February 1942
Relief of 1 Burma Division by Chinese VI Army
Concentration of 1 Burma Division south of Toungoo
Decision by Army Commander to release unreliable elements in Battalions of Burma Rifles
Our attacks on Pyuntaza and Shwegyin
Decision to withdraw 1 Burma Division to the Irrawaddy front
Actions at Kyauktaga and Gonde.
Chapter 15 175
Entry into Burma of the Chinese Expeditionary Force
Organisation and equipment
Problems of Transport and Supply
Formation of Chinese Liaison Mission
Chinese system of Command
Operations until the end of March 1942
The loss of Toungoo.
Chapter 16 185
The situation at Prome
Decision to evacuate the town
Dispositions of 17 Division in the area
Japanese attack on Prome on April 1st, 1942
Our Withdrawal
Actions at Ainggyaunngon and Hmawza
March to Dayindabo
Plan for the defence of the oilfields
Withdrawal of Burcorps to line Minhla-Taungdwingyi.
Chapter 17 195
Defence of the Minhla-Taungdwingyi line
Failure of Chinese to assist
Operations about Kokkogwa and Alebo
Enemy take Migaungye
Result of this and withdrawal of 1 Burma Division to Yin Chaung line
Action near Mingyun
Japanese attack Yin Chaung line
Withdrawal to Pin Chaung begun
Operations on west bank of Irrawaddy
Decision to retain Taungdwingyi.
Chapter 18 211
Denial Scheme for Yenangyaung and Chauk oilfields
Orders issued for the destruction of the oilfields
Japanese establish themselves on the Pin Chaung
Operations at Yenangyaung between April 16th, and 21st, 1942
Withdrawal of 1 Burma Division
Operations by columns of 17 Division from Natmauk and Taungdwingyi
Plans for an offensive against the Japanese in the Yenangyaung area.
Chapter 19 227
Effect of the Japanese advance through the Shan States
General Alexander's plans in the event of the loss of Mandalay
Decision to fall back to Kalewa to protect India
Supply problems
Withdrawal to west bank of Irrawaddy begun
2 Burma Brigade ordered to cover Myittha valley
Successful delaying actions at Meiktila and Kyaukse
Decision to withdraw Chinese V Army to Katha
Destruction of the Ava bridge.
Chapter 20 244
Japanese appear unexpectedly at Monywa
Attack on Headquarters of 1 Burma Division
Attack on and capture of Monywa
Serious results
Our attempts to recapture the town
Decision to break off the action and withdrawal of 1 Burma Division on Ye-U
Minor operations north of Monywa
Japanese move up the Chindwin -16 Brigade hurried to Kalewa
March of 2 Burma Brigade by Pauk and Tilin to Kalemyo.
Chapter 21 255
General Alexander ordered to withdraw his force north of Tamu
The withdrawal to Shwegyin
Action at Shwegyin
Final stages of the withdrawal north of Tamu
4 Corps assumes operational control of all Burma Army troops.
Chapter 22 266
Operations carried out by Chinese Expeditionary Force in April and May 1942
The Japanese thrust through Karenni and the Shan States
Collapse of the VI Army
Occupation by the enemy of Bhamo and Myitkyina
Chinese operations south of Mandalay
Withdrawal of V Army and 38th Division to China
Conduct of Chinese forces during withdrawal
Failure of British and Chinese to co-operate fully.
Chapter 23 277
Events in Arakan and more particularly in Akyab
Civil unrest
Air attacks on Akyab
Japanese advance
Encounters with Japanese
Evacuation of Akyab
Organisation of Karen Levies
Resistance by Karen Levies and Karens of Burma Rifles
Commando units
Evacuation of Myitkyina
Indiscipline of members of armed forces on the northern evacuation routes to India.
Chapter 24 286
The Air Garrison of Burma
Its inadequacy
Strength of Japanese air force opposed to it
Air attacks on Rangoon
Our successes
Air support for early operations of 17 Division
Withdrawal from Rangoon
Formation of Burwing and Akwing
Heavy reverses at Magwe and Akyab
Termination of R.A.F. activities based on Burma
Operations from homing and India
Our air losses and those of the Japanese.
Chapter 25 303
Civil administration in so far as it affected the military situation
General failure to place civil and military administration on a war time basis before opening of hostilities
Evacuation problems
Work on the Burma-Assam road
Military administration and other matters
The Base
Transport and Supply
Ordnance
Transportation and Movement Control
Denial of Railways and River services
No general Denial Scheme
Signals
Medical stores
Matters affecting discipline and morale
Morale of Burma units
Casualties.
Chapter 26 326
Careful Japanese preparations for invasion
Unscrupulous methods
Wearing of native dress
Burmese assistance to the enemy
General attitude of the Burmese
Japanese treatment of prisoners
Japanese tactical methods
Causes of our failure to hold Burma
Conclusion.
Appendices
Appendix A Army in Burma Location Statement for December 1st, 1941. 338
Appendix B Army in Burma outline Order of Battle for December 8th, 1941. 349
Appendix C State of 17 Division Infantry Battalions on evening of February 24th, 1942. 352
Appendix D Chinese Expeditionary Force Order of Battle. 354
Appendix E Army in Burma-Order of Battle for April 1st, 1942. 357
Customer Reviews
