Julian Thompson: A grim war in which surrender was unthinkable
From a lecture by the author of 'War in Burma 1942-1945', given at the Imperial War Museum
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Burma, from December 1941 to August 1945, was the scene of the longest land war and biggest, in terms of numbers, fought by the British and Americans against the Japanese in the Second World War.
How prepared was the British Army? I should really refer to them as the British, Indian and African armies, for 340,000 Indian and Gurkha soldiers were involved, with some 100,000 British and 90,000 Africans. The British infantry came mostly from internal security duties in Burma and India. They had not had the chance to train for any kind of war, let alone how to fight in forested terrain.
The myth of the Japanese being superb jungle fighters has endured to this day. In fact they had never fought or trained in terrain like Burma. The key to Japanese success was the high standard of training and hardihood of all their soldiers. Long marches and gruelling exercises had turned them into superb light infantry, able to cover long distances over rough terrain, carrying heavy loads. Hardy, frugal, and ruthless, they were a formidable enemy. Surrender was unthinkable. Death at the hands of the enemy or by one's own was the only honourable exit from the fight. Prisoners were regarded with contempt, and treated accordingly.
The writer John Masters, who fought in Burma, remarked: "It is the fashion to dismiss their courage as fanaticism but this only begs the question. They believed in something and were willing to die for it, for any smallest detail that would help to achieve it. What else is bravery?"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments