Morale was low in some units, reflected in unnecessary panics. The British reorganised their command in eastern India. [9] Although the forward unit (the second battalion of the 213th Regiment, known as "Isagoda battalion" after its commander) had spent fifty days digging defensive positions to cover the Maungdaw-Buthidaung road, they were ordered to pull back to join the main body of the force near the tip of the Mayu peninsula. It is one of the locations that the Myanmar Army has been launching long-term offensive attacks against the Arakan Army. This consisted of two battalions of the 213th Regiment (part of the Japanese 33rd Division), a mountain artillerybattalion and various supporting arms detachments, commanded by Colonel Kosuke Miyawaki. This WordPress.com site is Pacific War era information, The Premier Online Military History Magazine, Of history, warfare, leadership, and alcohol, American Universities Declare War on Military History, Operation Compass: The Aussies Capture Tobruk, The Penguin: German Pirates in the Antarctic, The Battle of Hammond’s Store and the Burning of William’s Fort, The First American Flag: The Grand Union Flag, Operation Compass: The Battle of the Camps, The Deadliest Blogger: Military History Page. Both Slim and the brigade commander (Brigadier George Todd) protested that a complete regiment (of 50 or more tanks) would be required, but they were overruled. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Arakan, Burma. A renewed attack by the Indian 123rd Brigade on Rathedaung two days later briefly gained some outlying positions, but the Brigade was forced to withdraw.[12]. Third Battle of Arakan. The Japanese struck less than a week later, and in just the manner Slim predicted. By December 1942, Japanese advocates of the banzai charge-at-all-costs were mostly dead for obvious reasons. Historical Map of South & Southwest Asia (15 April 1944 - Battle of Imphal-Kohima: By the close of 1943 the British were ready for a new offensive against the Japanese in Burma, mounting a second round of Arakan and Chindit offensives, this time in conjunction with the Americans and Chinese. Counter-attacks failed and the British and Indian troops in Buthidaung and the Kalapanzin valley were cut off. The Battle of the Admin Box was a WW2 military engagement in Burma involving Japanese infantry units and Allied forces comprising British and Indian units that took place from 5th to 23rd of February 1944. Change ), Conflict simulation, peacebuilding, and development, Research from the Defence Studies Department, King's College London, The historical writing of Barry C. Jacobsen. It is an online publication of news, articles, and documents. The Mayu peninsula is separated from the coast of western Arakan by the wide Mayu River and is itself split in two by the Mayu Range which runs along its length. With food, ammunition and weapon replenishment came cigarettes, kit, oil, petrol, the mail, even bear. The Mayu peninsula is separated from the coast of western Arakan by the wide Mayu River and is itself split in two by the Mayu Range which runs along its length. English: Battle of Arakan, 1943- a Command Post overlooking South Twin Hill image: Soldiers relaxing in an observation post in a jungle setting. The limited goal of the British advance in Arakan in 1942 and 1943 was Akyab Island. Irwin in turn demanded a single troop of tanks from 50th Indian Tank Brigade, part of Slim's XV Corps at Ranchi. But training troops, defending coastlines, and fighting guerillas was tedious stuff, and the Arakan Offensive looked to be a sure victory. Then they could easily cross the mountains and smash the flank of the western prong. The more than 40-day-long battle is likely to continue but last week, Myanmar military generals claimed that they had successfully repelled Arakan Army (AA) forces that were preparing to overtake Chin State’s Paletwa Township, on the border of India and Bangladesh. Before the aircraft left the armor was moving into action. However, Wavell could see through his bullshit and relieved him instead. (Today, the “Quit India Movement” is considered “mostly peaceful”…) Indians attacked British and Indian Army and government facilities, including factories, roadways, and railways that supported the war effort. Irwin rescinded Lloyd's order and dismissed Lloyd on 29 March, taking command of the 14th Division in person until the headquarters of the Indian 26th Division, commanded by Major-General Cyril Lomax, could take over.[16]. The only permanently established route across the range was a disused railway track, converted into a road, which linked Buthidaung with the port of Maungdaw on the west coast of the peninsula. Gurkhas clearing enemy positions on 'Scraggy' hill near Imphal, April 1944.