On April 29 1942, Japan captured the southern terminus of the Burma Road at Lashio. After that, the story of the campaign in Burma is one of stalemate until the Battle of the Admin Box and the Imphal offensive of 1944. Now, there were many supply difficulties in Burma for both sides, which is why the Japanese built the Burma Railway. However, surely there was more they could have in the year and a half between May 1942 and February 1944? And if so, what should that have been?
What should Japan have done in Burma after taking the Burma Road?
- Thread starter AbeLincoln1865
- Start date
I agree with nbcman. They did what they could with what they had. Japan was extended past the end of their logistical string in Burma. They struggled mightily to supply the Solomon campaign and they had not set up the proper back and forth with their conquered territories for getting raw materials back to Japan.
Japan did a fantastic job planning for the invasions of Malaysia and the Dutch East Indies. They developed great spy networks and were very detailed in everything, even how the soldiers were to be equipped. For exploitation of the land they took, they had nothing.
Japan did a fantastic job planning for the invasions of Malaysia and the Dutch East Indies. They developed great spy networks and were very detailed in everything, even how the soldiers were to be equipped. For exploitation of the land they took, they had nothing.
Which is, of course, what they should have done before Burma and before declaring war. But not very helpful (says pot to kettle
)Japhy
Banned
No, it would have made continual USAAF operations in China impossible. But the trickle of supplies it brought wasn't essential to the Chinese.
raharris1973
Gone Fishin'
Not in time for the Japanese to be able to redirect any resources to shipbuilding or aircraft production which was where the Americans nailed them in the Pacific. In the most generous circumstances if China's out early, the Japanese can maybe get a few more ground Divisions and aircraft stuffed into New Guinea and the PI. The US will find a way to work around Japanese strongpoints.
Of course, even in terms of ground forces, the biggest problem with the Japanese getting a lot of troops out of China is that they'll likely insist on occupying a lot of Chinese territory.
The easiest alternative front that Japan could move some troops to if China drops out would be Manchuria. Here again, they could add some defensive strength, but not provide a viable offensive option.
China suffered. China didn't surrender like France. Chinese people were brave and helped out bailed out American fliers. Chinese forces were an important part of the successful liberation of Burma. Chinese forces repelled a Chinese offensive in 1945 and began to retake some ground. They did all this, but China did not crush, defeat or even drive out the Japanese.
https://chinachange.org/2015/08/31/...y-in-the-fight-against-japan-in-world-war-ii/
raharris1973
Gone Fishin'
Well, could the Japanese have gained ground and denied the Allies the use of airbases for the Hump and other purposes by doing heavy attacks into Assam through 42 and 43?
What would the British have to do differently as a result?
What would the British have to do differently as a result?