What Did The Invasion Of Burma?

2. It was a country geographically isolated by thick jungles and malaria-infested mountain ranges on its east, west, and north borders. Besides some oil reserves, the country possessed few natural resources and had little strategic value. Perhaps, Slim gives the best description of Burma when he states, “It could fairly be described as some of the world’s worst country, breeding the world’s worst diseases, and having for half the year at least the world’s worst climate.” It was an area that no one desired to fight for, yet it lured the countries of Japan, England, the United States, and China into some of the war’s most difficult fighting. What brought this complete reversal of thought for these countries and made Burma another battleground
These situations dramatically altered the importance the Japanese placed on Burma. The seizure of Burma in its entirety now became a key objective of Japan for several reasons. First, Burma’s location in relation to China made it appealing to use as another front in its fight with the Chinese. Second, Burma’s one key natural resource, oil, was now a prime commodity needed by the Japanese based on American actions.
7. The need to conquer Burma was further accentuated by a new expanded Japanese end state in East Asia. They believed the occupation of Burma would create anarchy in India and ignite war between the Indian populace and the British ruling party. The combination of these factors influenced the decision to conduct an attack to seize the entire country of Burma.
8. In terms of Great Britain, an attack on Burma was in essence an attack on the British Empire. Since the end of World War I, England had stationed Soldiers in Burma. Although Burma had some importance to Britain, its main concern was India. As Japanese troops crossed into Burma, the leaders of England must have assumed India was
Smyth’s original choice was to withdraw across the river and then decide about the bridge later. However, his commander, Hutton, overrode him and ordered him to fight on the enemy side of the bridge. What unfolded next has been termed by many British historians as one of the most controversial decisions taken by a British general in World War II. On 23 February 1942, he soon found the Japanese right on top of his men. Unfortunately two-thirds of his forces still had to cross the bridge. Pressure or not, he gave the word to blow the bridge stranding the majority of his combat power on the enemy side of the Sittang River. Most of his men somehow managed to make it across, but they left all their equipment to the