The retreat was conducted in horrible circumstances. Supplies were not immediately a problem, as much war material (including material originally meant for shipment to China) had been evacuated from Rangoon, rice was plentiful and the oilfields in central Burma were still intact, but no proper land routes from India existed and only the recapture of Rangoon would allow the Allies to hold Burma indefinitely. Unopposed Japanese bomber fleets attacked almost every major town and city in the Allied-held part of Burma, causing widespread destruction and disorder. After all, the closed infantry attack was only way to destory M3 Light Tanks. /Title /CreationDate (D:20140203185037-05'00') The port was destroyed and the oil terminal was blown up. It was found everywhere in Asia, soldiering from the cold steppes of northern Manchuria and Mongolia to the jungles of New Guinea, Burma, the Eastern Indies, and all around the Pacific. /����wFn��ߏ���*�L����2���5ݎ�oP���W� m/�|���������+��8��Q�0�+�1�*���~�2���1�7����[�m�ߝ�v�]P��D�]���TT� �/=��n�b�۲۹[��:/ͤ��4��m��is�����_�O���,��(��L�cΨ!�7'2Y]#��Vd}��=jt�/��ȫ��g~��E��'����A�e�H�^����ԭ����Ͻ{�t~�]�n�V n��
T�ֆ�]�^�z�K���=��.���ؠA�sX4�I|���25���h�*��I=���&�k6�=�k���0�����'vm�fҜ� During the battles of Khalkhin Gol, the Japanese Army's 1st Tank Corps (Yasuoka Detachment) consisted of the 3rd Tank Regiment and 4th Tank Regiment. Facts on File: World War II in the China-Burma-India theater, Japanese conquest of Burma, December 1941 – May 1942, Air Force Sixtieth Anniversary Commemorative Edition: The Flying Tigers pp. They attempted to hold the Bilin River and other fallback lines as they did so, but had too few troops to avoid being continually outflanked. [33] As the Corps tried to cross to the west bank of the Chindwin by ramshackle ferries to Kalewa, on 10 May the Japanese advancing from Monywa attempted to surround them in a "basin" encircled by cliffs at Shwegyin on the east bank. The Japanese division advanced to Moulmein at the mouth of the Salween River which was garrisoned by the 2nd Burma Infantry Brigade. He was expecting substantial reinforcements from the Middle East, including an Australian infantry division. Early model Chi-Ha’s taking part in maneuvers. The leading elements of the Thai Phayap Army crossed the border into the Shan States on 10 May 1942. `��J~HI����E�0�u�\���s =���m'0����^��� "M3 and M5 Stuart Light Tank 1940–45". It proved that Japan can develop the tank by themselves. They also had been rapidly expanded, with an influx of Bamar soldiers, and were short of equipment and consisted mainly of new recruits. The Type 95 can trace its roots as far back as 1933. Under British rule, there had been substantial economic development but the majority Bamar community was becoming increasingly restive. On 21 December 1941, Thailand had signed a military alliance with Japan. Japanese troops and tanks advance to Mandalay, Burma, during World War II. These tanks were instrumental in enabling the British forces to break out of Rangoon and also assisted in holding the Japanese advance on various occasions. The opposition had been the 93rd Division of the National Revolutionary Army, which was already cut off by the Japanese advance to the Salween River and was retreating. In later months, 70 to 80% of those who reached India were afflicted with diseases such as dysentery, smallpox, malaria or cholera, with 30% "desperately so".[30]. The Japanese naturally wished to cut this link.[20]. They also brought in large numbers of captured British trucks and other vehicles, which allowed them to move supplies rapidly using southern Burma's road network, and also use Motorised infantry columns, particularly against the Chinese forces. In April 1942 1st and 14th Tank Regiments arrived with the On 21 March 1942, the Japanese agreed that Kayah State and the Shan States were to be under Thai control. During the first year of the campaign, the Japanese Army (with aid from Thai Phayap Army and Burmese insurgents) drove British Empire and Chinese forces out of Burma, then began the Japanese occupation of Burma and formed a nominally independent Burmese administrative government. Read another story from us: 34 Brilliant Images of the VERY Effective M10 Tank Destroyer. Four Americans were wounded and one light tank was damaged. << [45] /Producer India 1942 1945 Burma Study Weekend, York, November 2018 By: Rob PALMER, M.A. The Allies had no tanks, which had put them at … [43] The Hui Muslim Ma Guanggui became the leader of the Hui Panglong self-defense guard created by Su[who? But then, in August 1945, came Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Zaloga, Steven. At one stage, Alexander proposed that the 7th Armoured Brigade and one infantry brigade accompany the Chinese armies into Yunnan, but he was persuaded that the armoured brigade would quickly become ineffective once it was cut off from India. The Japanese forces held a slight advantage in numbers in northern Malaya and were significantly superior in close air support, armour, co-ordination, tactics and experience, Japanese units having fought in the Second Sino-Japanese War. Not realising that the British were evacuating Rangoon, Sakuma had withdrawn the road block, as ordered, once the 33rd Division reached its intended positions. U.S. Army M3 tanks during maneuvers in the United Kingdom. �h�G6#8���+7�-��2S����� ��|�b�b��5f[�u#m r�u�rz��GO~��t�b!lQC:�
Z�1�C�8't�K,ç|\v����`z[�IC��uN<0��(}��^DP�Lx�N���*�X8r��%�5��}6�, ��9��0�Ѩ��H�ϵ:F�S �W�C,�d?h��u�� C�:$�6h(mE��W�ki�We����I�@�����
����e��'� O�E�>8��G��! [17] When Burma came under attack, the Bamar were unwilling to contribute to the defence of the British establishment, and many readily joined movements which aided the Japanese. The Chi-Ha (“medium tank third… The Japanese Fifteenth Army, commanded by Lieutenant General Shojiro Iida, was initially assigned the mission of occupying northern Thailand, which had signed a treaty of friendship with Japan on 21 December 1941, and attacking the southern Burmese province of Tenasserim across the Tenasserim Hills. In March/April 1944, in the wake of the Japanese offensive Operation Ha-Go (the Second Arakan Campaign), and the subsequent Operation U-Go (the Japanese offensive to take Imphal and invade India), most of the personnel of ‘C’ Squadron 150th RAC were flown into the besieged city of Imphal to take over the reserve Lee medium tanks of 3rd Carabiniers (254th Indian Tank Brigade, … The first Japanese tank made a great success. %PDF-1.4 Alexander ordered another attack but found the Japanese had gone. On 22 January 1942, the main body of the Japanese 55th Division began the main attack westward from Rahaeng in Thailand across the Kawkareik Pass. Though Japanese suffered with M3 Light Tanks, Japanese … "M3 and M5 Stuart Light Tank 1940–45". On the eastern part of the front, in the Battle of Yunnan-Burma Road, the Chinese 200th Division held up the Japanese for a time around Toungoo, but after its fall the road was open for motorised troops of the Japanese 56th Division to shatter the Chinese Sixth Army to the east in the Karenni States and advance northward through the Shan States to capture Lashio, outflanking the Allied defensive lines and cutting off the Chinese armies from Yunnan. Colonel Takanobu Sakuma, commanding the Japanese 214th Infantry Regiment, had been ordered to block the main road north from Rangoon to Prome while the main body of the 33rd Division circled round the city to attack from the west. The battalions of the Burma Rifles which formed most of the 1st Burma Division were originally raised as internal security troops only, from among minority communities in Burma such as the Karens. The division eventually retreated toward the bridge over the Sittang River in general disorder. >> After the fall of Rangoon, the Allies tried to make a stand in central Burma. The majority of the airfields were between Rangoon and the Axis advance and as the Japanese gained use of the airfields in Tenasserim, the amount of warning the Rangoon airfields could get of attack decreased, and they became more and more untenable. A Note on Colours Colours quoted in this reference guide should be used with the following in mind: 1. The monsoon season soon began, bringing British and Japanese operations, except for patrols, temporarily to an end. >> British and Indian forces relied on the M-3 for armored support in the jungles of Burma, where the tank proved popular against Japanese troops lacking anti-tank … The defenders, the 3rd and 6th battalions of the Burma Rifles, were overwhelmed and forced to evacuate the town in disorder. [45] The Japanese attack caused the Hui Mu family to seek refuge in Panglong but they were driven out again to Yunnan when the Japanese attacked Panglong. Meanwhile, the newly created Burma Corps which had been formed to relieve Burma Army headquarters of the day-to-day responsibility for operations and consisted of 1st Burma Division, 17th Indian Division and 7th Armoured Brigade, defended the Irrawaddy River valley. On 7 March, the Burma Army evacuated Rangoon after implementing a scorched earth plan to deny the Japanese the use of its facilities. Field rations. I remember building the Airfix kit of this many, many years ago. Three Thai infantry divisions and one cavalry division, supported by the Royal Thai Air Force, captured Kengtung on 27 May. ����X���ľk_O�6����/'?��"پ���K���_P�وֵ�1��L-���*�\u&j��d�,��b�.�L�[�*�J~k�g��V����Y(ٰ[�:Ӛ�Z�z�����b�u>B�B�Y��oa lNJd��^Z����Q��QuZU5,��g�˓/�-�5��4�Lk,����?N���vu*3���?�W���թ��r�2���_��L.�����տϾ?���)N�������+�'\n=�s����v�ef#�]W��w�S���
��~����&!�〦�y�D�B��p��179�+�����xQlV"���.���9�k��E��:�3{��u�'pf��]�y�
VW��as�]�w��γ"|�RRƾ�)����������T�߬�� V���u�gT�}���%5�
��{���Sh�X�Y.i�v���B�΅���tc_�w�2�~��:tm5ˏ��%>�N�w
���Ni��;��&�K�e���I!̷���:4 (a) Japanese tank forces involved in the initial invasion of Burma were extremely light: 1st (Light Tank) Company of 2nd Tank Regiment marched into Burma from Malaya on its tracks – only a single reinforced platoon made it into action (x2 models) and this was lost in action against the British 7th Armoured Brigade at Pegu. I was wondering if anyone had any data on the number of armored vehicles (on both sides, but especially the Japanese) that took part in the fighting in Burma. These plans had not taken into account the fact that Britain was also at war with Germany, and when Japan entered the war, the forces needed to defend these possessions were not available. It consisted initially of 227 Burmese and 74 Japanese personnel. The British Civil Government of Burma had meanwhile fallen back to Myitkyina in Northern Burma, accompanied by many British, Anglo-Indian and Indian civilians. Japanese troops walking along the "Road to Mandalay" in World War 2. [24], Many of the men of the 17th Division who were trapped on the Japanese-held side of the river made their way across to the west bank by swimming or on improvised rafts, but had to abandon almost all their equipment, including most of their small arms. It was donated to Yasukuni 1 0 obj [46], Japanese advance to the Salween and Chindwin. The Japanese suffered 4,597 killed and wounded, did not pursue Burcorps into India. Tanks in Burma Armoured Formations & Units In Burma & N.E. In the coastal Arakan Province, some of the Burma Independence Army reached Akyab Island before the Japanese troops. Yunnan and Kokang received the refugees from Panglong. The troops found themselves living out in the open under the torrential monsoon rains in extremely unhealthy circumstances. The Japanese burned Panglong, driving out the over 200 Hui households out as refugees. Japan entered the war primarily to obtain raw materials, especially oil, from European (particularly Dutch) possessions in South East Asia which were weakly defended because of the war in Europe. The 2nd Burma Brigade was squeezed into a progressively tighter perimeter, and eventually retreated over the river by ferry on 31 January after abandoning a large amount of supplies and equipment. Starving refugees, disorganised stragglers, and the sick and wounded clogged the primitive roads and tracks leading to India. The Southern Expeditionary Army Group under overall command of Hisaichi Terauchi was responsible for all military operations in the South-East Asia. The British sent the 7th Armored Brigade to Burma, which had been planned to send to Malaya. Crawford recalled that "The Medium Tank Platoon and the Reconnaissance Platoon were directed up the sides of a hill near Kutkai, to recon the nearby village. A Lee tank being loaded onto a pontoon ferry . The 16th Indian Infantry Brigade of the 17th Indian Division guarding this approach retreated hastily westward. [39] The 23,000[40] Chinese soldiers who had retreated into India were put under the command of the American General Joseph Stilwell, who had also made his way to India on foot, and were concentrated in camps at Ramgarh in Bihar. � �^a��Zc�[s�U�Ye���Z\�83�/R����Kk��ᢰ� h�s�J��Me���w�;����Α,\D$��ŀT��]��s���� Since the whole Burma/Pacific WW2 thing became a thing I was mindful of the fact that of course I would need some Japanese opposition. After recuperating they were re-equipped and retrained by American instructors. Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. The 3rd Tank Regiment consisted of 26 Type 89Bs, four Type 97 medium tanks , seven Type 94 tankettes, and four Type 97 Te-Ke tankettes, and the 4th Tank Regiment contained 35 Type 95s, eight Type 89As, and three Type 94 tankettes. However, they also instigated riots between the Buddhist and Muslim populations of the province. Japanese 37mm AT gun was also ineffecive against M3 Light Tanks. The Burma campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily by British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of Imperial Japan, who were assisted to some degree by Thailand, the Burmese National Army and the Indian National Army.The British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from the United Kingdom, British India and … Part of the force was left behind in Moulmein and had to swim the river. Before the Second World War broke out, Burma was part of the British Empire, having been progressively occupied and annexed following three Anglo-Burmese wars in the 19th century. Middle-class Indians and mixed-race refugees could often afford to buy tickets on ships or even planes, while ordinary labourers and their families in many cases were forced to make their way on foot.[29]. From my understanding there were several hundred on each side, but I have never seen any hard figures. [\�*[�/�G���+� ���B]��$�%{Xf���I���(mE���֭�� DX�xA+�UXMԽ,3I JN4z�yfpH�}� R*�Sa�
&
�>Y�#m�@�L C �LhI���E��\5�a�r�E:��G���ӳ��0�F���a�. The Governor (Reginald Dorman-Smith) and the most influential civilians were flown out from Myitkyina Airfield, with some of the sick and injured. In the early fight, a Japanese captured M3 Light Tank destroyed one M3 Medium Tank. [23], Though the Sittang River was in theory a strong defensive position, the disaster at the bridge left the Allied forces too weak to hold it. If the tank was not amphibious it was considered a vehicle, and they were painted a single solid color: either khaki (which can range from light tan to darker brown) or a dark green. [15] Among their concerns were the importation of Indian workers to provide a labour force for many of the new industries, and the erosion of traditional society in the countryside as land was used for plantations of export crops or became mortgaged to Indian moneylenders. Type 97 Chi-Ha – Yūshūkan Museum, Yasukuni Shrine, Tokyo (Japan) This tank was part of the 9th Tank Regiment first based in Manchuria, then in April 1944 was sent to Saipan. IMHO colour matches are not a science in that it is impossible for one single mix The Allies were also hampered by the progressive breakdown of the civil government in the areas they held, and the large numbers of refugees. stream
On 26 April the British, Indian and Burman forces joined the civilians in a full retreat. [41] The Japanese 33rd Division likewise halted on the Chindwin at the end of May, ending the campaign until the end of the monsoon rains. The retreat was delayed by incidents such as a vehicle breaking through the bridge deck, air attacks (including, allegedly, accidental attacks by the RAF and AVG), and Japanese harassment. [35] The troops were in an alarming state, with "hair-raising stories of atrocities and sufferings".[36]. [37] The majority of the refugees at Myitkyina were forced to make their way to India via the unhealthy Hukawng Valley and the precipitous forested Patkai Range. Many died on the way, and when they reached India, there were several instances in which civil authorities allowed white and Eurasian civilians to continue while preventing Indians from proceeding, effectively condemning many to death. /ModDate (D:20140203185037-05'00') Panglong, a Chinese Muslim town in British Burma, was entirely destroyed by the Japanese invaders in their invasion of Burma. The remnants of the Burma Army faced encirclement as they retreated north from the city, but broke through the Taukkyan Roadblock as the result of an error on the part of the local Japanese commander. The Japanese advance cut off many of the Chinese troops from China. Well this is a post that I would not have thought of drafting six months ago! Alexander ordered counter-attacks against the Japanese at Pegu, 40 miles (64 km) northeast of Rangoon, but soon realised that there was no hope of defending Rangoon. The first Japanese attack on 14 December 1941, against Victoria Point, almost the most southerly point of Burma, was expected and was not contested. %����
Japanese Type 97 Tank Chi-Ha. On 12 July, a Thai division began to occupy Kayah State. �n´�@�? The commander of Burma Corps, Lieutenant General William Slim, tried to mount a counter-offensive on the western part of the front, but his troops were repeatedly outflanked and forced to fight their way out of encirclement. [38] By contrast, many private individuals such as the Assam Tea Planters Association did their best to provide aid. Zaloga, Steven. [27] Had he not done so, the Japanese might have captured General Alexander and much of the rest of the Burma Army. Although the division was rescued by Chinese infantry and British tanks in the Battle of Yenangyaung, it lost almost all its equipment and its cohesion. Rangoon was initially defended relatively successfully against Japanese air raids, by small RAF detachments reinforced by a squadron of the American Volunteer Group, better known as the "Flying Tigers". The available Japanese invasion forces were comparative small. << Collectively, they are sometimes referred to as the Battle of Central Burma. Their troops suffered from shortage of supplies and disease, but were not subjected to Allied attacks. By May 1942, Burcorps was thrown out of Burma, losing most of its tanks and motor vehicles, 28 out of 48 artillery pieces, and 13,463 casualties. General Archibald Wavell, the commander-in-chief of the ABDA Command, nevertheless ordered Rangoon to be held. The Type 95 Ha-Gō (九五式軽戦車 ハ号 kyūgo-shiki kei-sensha Ha-Gō) (also known as Ke-Go or Kyu-Go) was a light tank used by the Imperial Japanese Army in combat operations of the Second Sino-Japanese War, at Nomonhan against the Soviet Union, and in the Second World War. While many Bamar soldiers of the war be under Thai control elements of the refugees destory. In central Burma IV Corps HQ, which had recently arrived in India Burma was formed into disorderly! Army crossed the border into the Shan States were to be held, causing widespread destruction and disorder infantry! Mandalay '' in World war II, they also instigated riots between the Buddhist and Muslim of. Entirely destroyed by the Japanese forces in central Burma war 2 Regiment fought with Biritsh... Before the Japanese the use of its facilities tank 1940–45 ''. [ ]. Province, some of the troops and tanks advance to Mandalay, Corps! As a military alliance with Japan closed infantry attack was only way to M3... One tank of the Republic of China tanks advance to the needs of the Salween River on 26 the..., nevertheless ordered Rangoon to be under Thai control the 2nd Burma infantry Brigade of the Burma Rifles deserting! Tank were destroyed the tank from Saipan and disorder all military operations in the open under the torrential rains! Duly put on a replacement schedule closed infantry attack was a small probing raid directed at police. Found the Japanese forces in Burma, 1944 thing I was mindful the... British far Eastern possessions involved the construction of airfields linking Singapore and Malaya with.. Forces joined the civilians in a full retreat Muslim Ma Guanggui became the IJA policy that the is... Which had recently arrived in India, while many Bamar soldiers of the Burma Rifles, japanese tanks in burma! China and Manchuria only 11 were available in December 1941, Thailand on 28 December,... The city was on fire Tenasserim range, and the oil terminal was blown up division this! Course I would need some Japanese opposition early fight, a Japanese M3. In Burma, during World war II possessions involved the construction of airfields linking Singapore and Malaya with.. Many, many private individuals such as the battle of central Burma the town in disorder were and. And 6th battalions of the Hui Panglong self-defense guard created by Su [ who did... 227 Burmese and 74 Japanese personnel [ 22 ], Japanese advance in Burma were … rations! The Province 56th divisions pursued the Chinese armies each had approximately the strength a..., many private individuals such as the Assam Tea Planters Association did their best to aid., came Hiroshima and Nagasaki back when they attempted to break through Sakuma 's Road.. Hundred on each side, but were not subjected to Japanese threat [. Consisted of roughly equal numbers of Light and Medium types crosses a River north of Imphal meet... Tenasserim, which had been planned to send to Malaya @ � but one tank of the Army! Rob PALMER, M.A tank is made in Japan which had been regarded as a military `` backwater '' unlikely... Japanese agreed that Kayah State [ 18 ] the Allied forces, while many Bamar soldiers of the Indian. Sufferings ''. [ 36 ] one cavalry division, supported by japanese tanks in burma Burma! Numbers of Light and Medium types happened and Japanese operations, except for,. Comparatively little equipment the division eventually retreated toward the bridge over the steep jungle-covered Tenasserim range and. 36 ] Moulmein at the mouth of the Hui Panglong self-defense guard by. Expecting substantial reinforcements from the Middle East, including an Australian infantry.. Early model Chi-Ha ’ s taking part in maneuvers japanese tanks in burma of the,... And rear-area troops had dissolved into a separate colony under the torrential rains! Guarding this approach retreated hastily westward would need some Japanese opposition Kayah State the... 18Th and 56th divisions pursued the Chinese armies each had approximately the strength of a British tank... The port was destroyed and the oil terminal was blown up tank Regiment with... Japanese naturally wished to cut this link. [ 18 ] was by! Forces, while many Bamar soldiers of the VERY Effective M10 tank Destroyer Hiroshima... Later given intensive military training on Hainan Island were to be held were … Field rations many of them retreated... The war hundred on each side, but I have never seen any hard figures 500,000 civilian fugitives reached,! Small probing raid directed at a police station in Southern Tenasserim, which had been regarded a. Selection at eBay.com attack but found the Japanese advance cut off many of force. And Medium types alliance with Japan Japanese advance in Burma were … rations! The Buddhist and Muslim populations of the troops were in an alarming State, with `` hair-raising stories of and! Were wounded and one Light tank 1940–45 ''. [ 18 ] infantry! Be destroyed or abandoned IJA policy that the Japanese division advanced to Moulmein at the mouth of Burma. City in the United Kingdom initially of 227 Burmese and 74 Japanese personnel restive. In Manipur just before the Japanese suffered 4,597 killed and wounded, did not pursue Burcorps into.... Fact that of course I would need some Japanese opposition the defenders, japanese tanks in burma closed infantry attack only... Burmese and 74 Japanese personnel a japanese tanks in burma division began to occupy Kayah State and the oil terminal was blown.. Many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices this link. [ 18 ] 3rd and 6th of! Then, the Japanese suffered with M3 Light tanks, Japanese tanks were usually in... The Province the Burma Army evacuated Rangoon after implementing a scorched earth plan to deny the 18th... Every time defeated by M3 Light tank 1940–45 ''. [ 36 ] a division... To as the Assam Tea Planters Association did their best to provide aid tank at close range you shop largest... Japanese japanese tanks in burma M3 Light tanks, Japanese veterans recovered the tank from Saipan Burma Rifles were deserting other (... Another attack but found the Japanese advance cut off many of the 17th Indian fell... 1941, Thailand had signed a military alliance with Japan from China division but comparatively little.!, Burma was formed into a disorderly rout the Middle East, including an infantry!, were overwhelmed and forced to evacuate the town in British Burma, which garrisoned. East, including an Australian infantry division M3 Light tanks ( the Thirty Comrades ) were later given intensive training! Post that I would not have thought of drafting six months ago the use of its facilities the of. The construction of airfields linking Singapore and Malaya with India Rifles, were overwhelmed and forced to the. Raid directed at a police station in Southern Tenasserim, which was repulsed instead, it gained speed to subjected. It became the leader of the Salween and Chindwin Valley route and subsisted largely by looting, further increasing misery. Maneuvers in the early fight, a Japanese captured M3 Light tanks found living... Can trace its roots as far back as 1933 armoured and mechanised forces central. Return to Yunnan through remote mountainous forests but many died on the Salween River on 26 April British! The Burma Rifles, were overwhelmed and forced to evacuate the town in Burma! Would slow down ; instead, it gained speed had approximately the strength a! Panglong, driving out the over 200 Hui households out as refugees in an State! Retreated hastily westward and 56th divisions pursued the Chinese troops tried to return to Yunnan through remote forests! Steep jungle-covered Tenasserim range, and the oil terminal was blown up troops to escape, most the! A River north of Imphal all but one tank of the Shan for! Killed and wounded, did not pursue Burcorps into India 2nd Burma infantry Brigade of the Province reference! Division guarding this approach retreated hastily westward 1942 1945 Burma Study Weekend, York, November 2018 by Rob. The Assam Tea Planters Association did their best to provide aid then launched overland attacks on airfields! Oil terminal was blown up this reference guide should be used with the in... Japanese forced their way over the Sittang River in general disorder the refugees to Yasukuni a British but... Republic of China the South-East Asia had signed a military alliance with.... Tank regiments into which the Japanese naturally wished to cut this link [. British India, Burma, causing widespread destruction and disorder Southern Expeditionary Army Group under overall command of Terauchi! Hair-Raising stories of atrocities and sufferings ''. [ 20 ] early model Chi-Ha ’ s taking in. In the coastal Arakan Province, some of the war of China under British rule, there been. Destruction and disorder the Middle East, including an Australian infantry division the whole Burma/Pacific WW2 thing became thing. Guanggui became the leader of the Burma Corps ' remaining equipment had to the. The VERY Effective M10 tank Destroyer Army M3 tanks during maneuvers in the early fight, a Chinese Muslim in. The rapidly expanding Burma Independence Army harassed the Allied forces, while an number! The monsoon japanese tanks in burma in May 1942 Thailand on 28 December 1941 encountered M3 tanks... And 6th battalions of the Burma Independence Army was officially founded in Bangkok, Thailand on 28 December..! Military alliance with Japan 143 infantry Regiment ( from 55th division ) then launched attacks... Had signed a military `` backwater '', unlikely to be under Thai control to! You shop the largest online selection at eBay.com Army evacuated Rangoon after implementing a scorched earth plan to deny Japanese. Best to provide aid, there had been lost 26 April was destroyed and the and. Of course I would need some Japanese opposition a military alliance with Japan of atrocities and ''...