battle of meiktila
BATTLE OF MEIKTILA
INTRODUCTION
1. Gentlemen, I welcome you all in today 's study period on "Battle of Meiktila" in the context of Burma Campaign. The significance of Burma Campaign in the course of world war II was of equal importance from both Allied and Axis points of view as that of other theatres of war. Burma was turned into the theatre of war during the third year of the world war II. Two major regional powers, one Asian ie Japan and another European ie Great Britain fought this war.
2. The "Battle of Meiktila" was not a battle fought in isolation. It was one of the three decisive battles among the series of battle fought in Burma front by the Allied forces against the Japanese in the process of reconquest of Burma. The other two decisive battles were, "Battle of Imphal and Kohima" and "Battle of Irrawaddy Shore". Meiktila was the nodal point on the road and rail communication in the Central Burma and was the main supply base for all Japanese forces in Northern and Central Burma. As a result after the "Battle of Irrawaddy Shore" by General William Slim with his 14th Army, his next plan was to capture "Meiktila" and "Mandaly" in order to disrupt the logistic and reinforcement system of Japanese forces which could facilitate his early capture of Rangoon.
AIM
3. The aim of this presentation is to discuss the "Battle of Meiktila" fought between the Allies and Japaneese during February-March 1945 and to highlight the principles of war applied and the lessons learnt.
SCOPE
4. The battle will be presented under the following heads:
a. Background
b. Topography
c. Strategic concept and aim for the reconquest of Burma.
d. ORBAT of Allied and Japanese forces.
e. Allied plan for capture of Meiktila.
f. Japaneese defensive plan for Meiktila.
g. The battle.
h. Japanese counter attack.
j. Causes of Allied forces victory and Japanese defeat.
k. Lessons learnt.
l. Principles of war followed.
BACKGROUND
5. The course of conflict
INTRODUCTION
1. Gentlemen, I welcome you all in today 's study period on "Battle of Meiktila" in the context of Burma Campaign. The significance of Burma Campaign in the course of world war II was of equal importance from both Allied and Axis points of view as that of other theatres of war. Burma was turned into the theatre of war during the third year of the world war II. Two major regional powers, one Asian ie Japan and another European ie Great Britain fought this war.
2. The "Battle of Meiktila" was not a battle fought in isolation. It was one of the three decisive battles among the series of battle fought in Burma front by the Allied forces against the Japanese in the process of reconquest of Burma. The other two decisive battles were, "Battle of Imphal and Kohima" and "Battle of Irrawaddy Shore". Meiktila was the nodal point on the road and rail communication in the Central Burma and was the main supply base for all Japanese forces in Northern and Central Burma. As a result after the "Battle of Irrawaddy Shore" by General William Slim with his 14th Army, his next plan was to capture "Meiktila" and "Mandaly" in order to disrupt the logistic and reinforcement system of Japanese forces which could facilitate his early capture of Rangoon.
AIM
3. The aim of this presentation is to discuss the "Battle of Meiktila" fought between the Allies and Japaneese during February-March 1945 and to highlight the principles of war applied and the lessons learnt.
SCOPE
4. The battle will be presented under the following heads:
a. Background
b. Topography
c. Strategic concept and aim for the reconquest of Burma.
d. ORBAT of Allied and Japanese forces.
e. Allied plan for capture of Meiktila.
f. Japaneese defensive plan for Meiktila.
g. The battle.
h. Japanese counter attack.
j. Causes of Allied forces victory and Japanese defeat.
k. Lessons learnt.
l. Principles of war followed.
BACKGROUND
5. The course of conflict
Bibliography: 1. The Reconquest of Burma 1943-1945 by Geoffray Matthews. 2. The War in Burma by Colonel M G Abhyanker. 3. Defeat into Victory by Field Marshal Sir William Slim.