| Scenario in dates: |
| April 19, 1936: |
British Mandatory Palestine - An Arab uprising against British rule and Jews breaks out. Jewish population is doubled in Palestine due to immigration caused by growing anti-Semitism in Europe within four years. As part of the fight against the insurgents, the British officer Orde Wingate sets up Jewish Special Night Squads and later will use this experience in leading them during the Chindit operations in Burma during World War II. |
| August 13, 1942: |
Burma - The 153rd Indian Parachute Battalion is dropped with supplies into deep jungle outpost Fort Hertz with engineering supplies. The day before, aerial reconnaissance surprisingly found that the fort was being defended by British troops, who retreated disorganizedly during the spring Japanese offensive, but lacked the equipment for connection. Among them is Captain Arthur Thompson, who will be known after the war under pen name Francis Clifford. His first novels will take place in Southeast Asia and will be written based on his own experiences in World War II. |
| January 18, 1943: |
In Burma - The British 14th Indian Division attacks Japanese positions at Donbaik in the Arakan. The assault is unsuccessful. |
| February 1, 1944: |
In Burma - British forces renew the attack on Donbaik, in the Arakan, but they do not make any gains. |
| February 8, 1943: |
In Burma - The first Chindit raiding expedition sets out from Imphal for Tamu. The force is formally the 77th Indian Brigade under the command of General Wingate. |
| February 14, 1943: |
In Burma - The Chindits cross the Chindwin River in two groups at Auktaung and Tonhe. General Wingate leads the larger northern group. |
| March 1, 1943: |
In Burma - The Chindit force is making slower than expected progress because. In part, this is the result of a concern for finding clearings for supply drops. It is later discovered that it is possible to recover supplies in jungle areas. |
| March 2, 1943: |
In Burma - The southern Chindit group experiences a setback in meeting its immediate objectives. |
| March 3, 1943: |
In Burma - The southern Chindit group cuts the Mandalay-Myitkyina railroad line, north of Kyaikthin. |
| March 6, 1943: |
In Burma - The Chindits execute a number of demolitions on the railroad between Nankan and Bongyaung. |
| March 10, 1943: |
In Burma - The Chindits are now operating in several columns. They cross the Irrawaddy River in two places, at Tagaung and Tigyaing farther north. |
| April 8, 1943: |
In Burma - General Kawabe replaces General Iida in command of Japanese forces, which are now organized as the Burma Area Army. The Japanese are planning to extend their hold on northern Burma. Among the logistical preparations are the construction of new rail lines. About 60,000 Allied prisoners of war are employed in this work and about 15,000 will die through ill treatment. |
| August 1, 1943: |
In Tokyo - The Japanese announce recognition of an independent Burma which has declared war on the United States and Britain. The leader of the Burmese government, Ba Maw, signs a secret treaty with the Japanese. |
| October 17, 1943: |
Burma-Thailand - The Japanese complete a railway linking Burma and Thailand, built under dire conditions by civilian forced labor from Japanese occupied countries and tens of thousands of Allied prisoners of war (POW) to supply troops on the Burmese battlefield. After the war, there will be an artistic depiction of the events from the construction in the form of a famous novel with its equally famous film adaptation of the same name Bridge over the River Kwai. |
| December 13, 1943: |
India - US 2nd Lt. Adair in his P-40 "Lulu Belle" patrol fighter stands alone against 62 Japanese planes heading from Burma to attack Nagaghuli Airfield, the base of his "Burma Banshees" squadron in Assam. His daring attack causes the bombers to miss the target, and he also shoots down one Sally bomber and two Zero fighters in the process. |
| January 6, 1944: |
In Burma - Brigadier General Merrill is designated to command a volunteer unit specialized for long range penetration operations and jungle warfare. Officially named the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) becomes known as "Merrill´s Marauders". |
| January 9, 1944: |
In Burma - Allied forces overrun Maungdaw on the Arakan front. |
| February 4, 1944: |
In Burma - Japanese forces launch a major offensive in the Arakan (Operation Ha-Go). |
| February 5, 1944: |
In Burma - The 16th Long Range Penetration Brigade (a Chindit brigade) leaves Ledo and marches south toward the "Aberdeen" area. |
| February 24, 1944: |
In Burma - British forces capture the Nyakyedyauk Pass. |
| March 5, 1944: |
In Burma - The 77th Long Range Penetration Brigade (LRP) is flown to a landing area named "Broadway", 50 miles southwest of Myitkyina. A second Chindit brigade, 16th LRP, is marching south toward the "Aberdeen" area from Ledo. |
| March 7, 1944: |
Burma - After the joint action of Chinese troops and Merrill´s Marauders in the Battle of Walawbum, Japanese forces withdraw. The Chinese 1st Independent Armored Battalion, armed with an M3A3 Stuart, joins combat successfully. The Czech doctor Frantiek Kriegel, who later enters history as the only member of kidnaped Czechoslovak delegation in Moscow who refused to sign Soviet protocols legalizing the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, treating 50 wounded Allied soldiers in the middle of the battle. |
| March 8, 1944: |
In Burma - The Japanese launch an offensive aimed at destroying the British forces around Imphal and Kohima, advancing through the passes to Dimapur and cutting off the Sino-American forces in the north. Three divisions of the Japanese 15th Army (General Mutaguchi) spearhead the operation. The initial feint by the Japanese 33rd Division (General Yamagida) strikes the British 17th Indian Division (General Cowan) around Tiddim. The British forces engaged in the initial assaults are part of the IV Corps (General Scoones). The British intend for the 17th and 20th Indian Divisions to fall back, from their forward positions, to Imphal, where they can be supplied. They underestimate the size of the Japanese forces involved in the offensive. |
| March 9, 1944: |
In Burma - News of the advance of the Japanese 33rd Division reaches the headquarters of British 17th Indian Division. Initially, General Cowan refuses to believe the reports. |
| March 10, 1944: |
In Burma - Japanese forces attack the rear of the positions of the British 17th Indian Division. |
| March 11, 1944: |
In Burma - The Japanese 33rd Division continues attacking the British 17th Indian Division and is also infiltrating to the rear of 20th Indian Division where its advance is held near Witok. In central Burma, Chindit forces are disrupting Japanese communications with their forces facing American General Stilwell´s Sino-American forces. Meanwhile, British forces capture Buthidaung in the Arakan. |
| March 13, 1944: |
In Burma - General Scoones, British IV Corps commander, authorizes the 17th and 20th Indian Divisions to pull back to Imphal. Scoones is supported by his superiors, Slim and Giffard, that reinforcements are required. Therefore, Mountbatten sends requests for the use of American aircraft, airlifting supplies to the Chinese, to redeploy the 5th Indian Division from the Arakan. Meanwhile, Japanese planes attack the "Broadway" airfield used by Chindit forces. |
| March 14, 1944: |
In Burma - The British 17th Indian Division (Cowan) begins to withdraw about 24 hours after having received permission. Japanese forces have prepared four roadblocks on the route it must take to pull back to Imphal. To the north, the 20th Indian Division (Gracey) is already retreating. |
| March 15, 1944: |
In Burma - The Japanese 15th and 31st Divisions begin crossing the Chindwin River, north and south of Homalin. |
| March 17, 1944: |
In Burma - Japanese aircraft strike the "Broadway" landing zone for supply of the Chindits. Several British Spitfires are destroyed on the ground. The Chindits and the Japanese fight for the "Pagoda Hill" hill, on the top it changes to the fantastic bayonet charge, which finally comes out to British victory. Most of the man-to-man fight shines Lieutenant George Cairns, who kills a Japanese officer after the Japanese cut his hand and then by his raised sword as a single-handed wounds several other Japanese soldiers before falls by bleeding. Posthumously he was later for courage in fight given the the Victorian Cross, the highest military decoration of the British Empire, but after the repeated proposal, because the first proposal for the award burns in the plane in the unfortunate accident of the commander of the Chindits, General Wingate. |
| March 20, 1944: |
In Burma - The first brigade of the British 5th Division arrives at Imphal by air. A battalion is sent to Kohima. |
| March 21, 1944: |
In Burma - The British 20th Indian Division completes its withdrawal. The division now holds a line on the Shenan Hills and between Palel and Wangjing. The 17th Indian Division continues fighting through the roadblocks, held by the Japanese 33rd Division, in its effort to pull back. |
| March 24, 1944: |
In Burma - General Orde Wingate, commanding the Chindit forces, is killed in an airplane accident at age 41. The senior Chindits commander, Lentaigne, replaces him. |
| March 27, 1944: |
In Burma - The British India XXXIII Corps (General Stopford) is assigned to 14th Army (General Slim). It is ordered to concentrate at Dimapur and then advance to Kohima. Meanwhile, a second brigade of the 5th Division arrives at Imphal by air while the third brigade is sent to Dimapur as a reinforcement for XXXIII Corps. |
| March 29, 1944: |
In Burma - The Japanese 31st Division (Sato) cuts the road between Imphal and Kohima. General Slim, commanding British 14th Army, decides to supply the garrison of Imphal by air. Deep in the jugle of the Japanese rear, General Merrill, commander of "Merrill´s Marauders", is suffering a heart attack that he is surviving. The command is taken by executive officer Colonel Charles N. Hunter, who will write book named Galahad (by the code name for Merrill´s Marauders) after the war about his experience in this unit. |
| April 2, 1944: |
In Burma - Forces of the Japanese 15th Army (Mutaguchi) continue to advance. They have cut the road between Kohima and Imphal. South of Imphal, the British 17th Indian Division has nearly completed the retreat to its new positions. |
| April 4, 1944: |
In Burma - The Japanese 31st Division attacks British defenses at Kohima. Both routes out of the town, toward the rear, are cut. The capture of this supply depot is crucial to sustaining the offensive. Japanese forces are expecting to resupply from its stocks. |
| April 7, 1944: |
In Burma - Near Kohima, Japanese forces encircle the British 161st Brigade, part of British India XXXIII Corps (Stopford) at Jotsoma and block the main road to the west from Kohima near Zubza. About 3500 British-Indian troops are now trapped in Kohima and engaged in hand-to-hand fighting for the next 13 days. |
| April 10, 1944: |
In Burma - British General Slim, commanding 14th Army, prepares a counteroffensive. British troops surrounded at Imphal and Kohima continue to be supplied by air. The British India XXXIII Corps (Stopford) is tasked with breaking through Japanese lines and relieving Kohima. |
| April 14, 1944: |
In Burma - British forces break through the Japanese road block at Zubza and the British 161st Brigade at Jotsoma is relieved by attacks of other elements of the 2nd Indian Division. |
| April 18, 1944: |
In Burma - Elements of the British 5th Brigade link up with the Kohima garrison, breaking the Japanese encirclement. |
| April 20, 1944: |
In Burma - The Allied garrison on Summer House Hill, Kohima, is relieved by the British 2nd Division. |
| April 30, 1944: |
In Burma - The battle for Imphal continues. Japanese forces, however, are experiencing food shortages. |
| May 3, 1944: |
In Burma - The British 14th Army captures heights above Maungdaw-Buthidaung road in the Arakan. |
| May 5, 1944: |
In Burma - The British 14th Army (Slim) counterattacks near Imphal. |
| May 10, 1944: |
In China - Chinese forces cross the Salween River, near the Burmese border, on a broad front. |
| May 14, 1944: |
Burma - Popular British singer Vera Lynn visits a combat unit on the Burmese battlefield as part of her performances at open-air concerts for British soldiers in Egypt, India and Burma. During this meeting, unique film shots are created, in which she does not sing, but talks to the soldiers, gives autographs and watches the demonstration of the military technique. The faces of the soldiers show that this woman is a sweetheart of the armed forces. She will live to a respectable age of 103 and her state funeral with military honors and the flight of Spitfires will take place on July 10, 2020, on the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Britain. |
| May 17, 1944: |
In Burma - Merrill´s Marauders help Chinese forces capture Myitkyina airfield. The airport is gained relatively easy and intact from the surprised Japanese, but the failed attack by Chinese troops on the city itself, where the Japanese are retreating to, is a harbinger of long and difficult struggles for this key point. |
| May 24, 1944: |
In Burma - The Japanese 18th Division launches strong counterattacks to the south of Myitkyina. |
| June 5, 1944: |
In Burma - A British flank attack at Kohima forces the Japanese forces off the Aradura Spur and into retreat. The road to Imphal remains blocked by Japanese forces. |
| June 22, 1944: |
In Burma - Elements of the British 2nd Indian Division link up with the 5th Indian Division at Milestone 107 on the Imphal-Kohima road. The siege of Imphal has been broken. Japanese forces experience heavy losses both due to combat and supply shortages. |
| July 26, 1944: |
Burma - the American 3rd Battalion of the Merrill´s Marauders makes a significant gain by capturing the northern air field at Myitkyina. |
| August 3, 1944: |
In Burma - A joint Sino-American force captures Myitkyina, in the northeast. Most of the Japanese garrison has successfully withdrawn. "Merrill´s Marauders" are involved in the battle. Although it is a unit specially trained for guerrilla combat in the jungle and its men are exhausted by operation for several months deep in the Japanese rear, it is ordered to this battle as regular infantry, causing great losses. |
| August 4, 1944: |
In Burma - The British 2nd Division (part of British India XXXIII Corps) captures Tamu. |
| August 10, 1944: |
Burma - a week after the Myitkyina´s fall to U.S. and Chinese forces, the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional) known as "Merrill´s Marauders" is officially disbanded. After months of guerrilla activity in the jungle far beyond the Japanese lines and the final battle for Myitkyina, unit ends with a final total of only 130 combat-effective officers and men (out of the original 2,997). Commander Hunter is so disgusted with the overall treatment of his unit that he calls it "the most impoverished, most abused, most heroic, and most underrated unit in the entire war." |
| October 19, 1944: |
In the Nicobar Islands - Elements of the British Eastern Fleet continue diversionary operations with air strikes on the islands. Considerable damage is caused but the operation fails to divert Japanese attention from American operations in the Philippines. |
| October 19, 1944: |
In Burma - British forces capture Tiddim. |
| October 19, 1944: |
China - General Stilwell is recalled from his command by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Partly as a result of controversy concerning the casualties suffered by U.S. forces in Burma and partly due to continuing difficulties with the British and Chinese commanders, escpecially Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. |
| November 4, 1944: |
In Burma - The British 5th Indian Division, leading the advance of British 14th Army, captures Kennedy Peak, south of Tiddim. |
| November 8, 1944: |
In Burma - In the advance of British 14th Army over Kennedy Peak, Fort White, to the south of Tiddim, is captured. |
| December 3, 1944: |
In Burma - British colonial troops (from East Africa) capture Kalewa, one of the main centers for river traffic south to Mandalay. |
| December 4, 1944: |
Burma - At the newly conquered Kalewa, a bridge over the Chindwin River is built in a short time, the longest pontoon bridge made of prefabricated parts of the Bailey bridge system during the entire war. The Indian 20th Division begins its advance from the bridgehead. |
| December 12, 1944: |
In Burma - In the Arakan, a new British offensive begins. Forces of the British India XV Corps advance toward Akyab. |
| December 15, 1944: |
In Burma - Chinese forces capture Bhamo. The British 19th and 36th Divisions link up at Indaw and establish a continuous defense line against the Japanese in northern Burma. |
| December 21, 1944: |
In Burma - Allied forces of the British 14th Army have advanced another 50 miles down the railway corridor to Mandalay and have occupied the Japanese bases of Wuntho and Nankan. |
| January 3, 1945: |
In Burma - There are British landings at the northwest tip of Akyab Island in the Arakan area. A Commando and an Indian brigade are involved but there is little resistance from the Japanese. Inland, troops of British India XXXIII Corps capture Yeu, 22 miles northwest of Shwebo, in their advance to the Irrawaddy River. Chinese forces have captured Wanting on the Burma Road. |
| January 4, 1945: |
In Burma - Akyab Island is completely occupied by forces of the British 14th Army. The port and airfield are secured. |
| January 5, 1945: |
In Burma - Shwebo is taken by the British 2nd Division of British India XXXIII Corps (Stopford) as the advance to the Irrawaddy River continues. |
| January 8, 1945: |
In Burma - British 14th Army troops, southeast of Yeu, have reached within 4 miles of Shwebo, 55 miles northwest of Mandalay. |
| January 10, 1945: |
In Burma - While the advance of British India XXXIII Corps to the Irrawaddy River is attracting Japanese attention, British IV Corps is moving southward to the west of Chindwin with the intention of crossing the Irrawaddy River near Meiktila. Gangaw is captured in this advance. |
| January 12, 1945: |
In Burma - In the Arakan there are landings of British Commando troops near Myebon on the mainland between Akyab and Ramree. |
| January 14, 1945: |
In Burma - The British 19th Indian Division takes bridgeheads over the Irrawaddy north of Mandalay at Thabeikkyin. |
| January 15, 1945: |
In Burma - The British 19th Indian Division takes bridgeheads over the Irrawaddy north of Mandalay at Kyaukmyaung. Fierce Japanese attacks in these areas immediately begin. |
| January 16, 1945: |
In Burma - Namhkam is taken by the Chinese units, which have advanced from Myitkyina along the Ledo Road. The road northeast from Namhkam into Chino China is not yet clear. |
| January 20, 1945: |
In Burma - On the Ledo Road, the Chinese forces have only a few more miles to clear. The advance from Yunnan has reached Wanting River on the border and from the other direction, Mu-se is taken only 10 miles away. |
| January 21, 1945: |
In Burma - There are British landings at the northern tip of Ramree Island. The British 4th and 71st Indian Brigades are put ashore. The battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth, the escort carrier HMS Ameer, the light cruiser HMS Phoebe and other ships are in support but there is little resistance. On the mainland, Monywa on the Chindwin River, is taken by 20th Indian Division (part of British India XXXIII Corps). |
| January 22, 1945: |
In Burma - The British IV Corps takes Tilin in its continuing advance toward the Irrawaddy River to the south. |
| January 23, 1945: |
In Burma - Myinmu is taken the by 20th Indian Division. This division and the other British India XXXIII Corps units, which have crossed the Irrawaddy north of Mandalay, attract significant Japanese counterattacks because of the threat posed to Mandalay. This is exactly what General Slim, commanding British 14th Army, has hoped for while British IV Corps prepares the real advance further south. |
| January 26, 1945: |
In Burma - There are British landings on Cheduba Island south of Ramree Island (Yangbye). A small force of Marines goes ashore on the first day. They are later reinforced by the 36th Indian Brigade. On the mainland to the north, the 81st African Division takes Myohaung. Inland, in the advance of British IV Corps to the Irrawaddy River, Pauk is taken by the 7th Indian Division. |
| January 26, 1945: |
United States - premiere of movie Objective, Burma! in New York City with Errol Flynn in the lead role of captain of the US Paratroopers. Although it is both artistic and commercial success not only in the US, its screening in Britain is explicitly forbidden by Winston Churchill´s personal intervention because of its "Americanization" of historical events. In fact, the filmed successful action was made by a British unit, and the British army had a lion´s share of victory in Burma. |
| January 27, 1945: |
In Burma - The Ledo Road to China is finally cleared when Chinese troops from Burma and Yunnan province link up near Mongyu. General Sultan, who leads the British, American and Chinese in the area, has in fact announced the road as open on January 22nd. Sultans forces are now moving south toward Mandalay and Lashio by several routes. |
| January 28, 1945: |
In China - The first supply convoy using the Ledo Road arrives. |
| February 2, 1945: |
In Burma - The South East Asian Command announces that after bitter fighting, the Japanese have lost the battle of Kangaw and their escape road from northern Arakan is closed. |
| February 7, 1945: |
In Burma - Chinese troops capture Lashio. |
| February 9, 1945: |
In Burma - In the Arakan area the British 26th Indian Division completes the capture of Ramree Island. |
| February 12, 1945: |
In Burma - West of Mandalay, units of the British India XXXIII Corps establish a second series of bridgeheads over the Irrawaddy River. The advance is led by the British 20th Indian Division, opposite Myinmu. To the south, British IV Corps has reached the Irrawaddy River at Myitche and Seikpyu and is preparing to cross. British and American units of Northern Area Combat Command (Sultan), advancing south toward Lashio and Kyaukme, are engaged in heavy fighting near the Shweli River. |
| February 13, 1945: |
In Burma - The British 20th Indian Division establishes a solid bridgehead over the Irrawaddy River despite Japanese counterattacks. |
| February 14, 1945: |
In Burma - The British 7th Indian Division, part of British IV Corps, begins to cross the Irrawaddy River near Myaungu. Japanese opposition is limited because most of the forces have been withdrawn to defend Mandalay. North of Mandalay, the British 19th Indian Division takes Singu despite Japanese resistance. |
| February 17, 1945: |
In Burma - The British operations in Arakan continue with successful landings at Ru-Ya, 40 miles south of Myebon. Heavy fighting continues in the area of British India XXXIII Corps bridgeheads over the Irrawaddy River and along the Shweli River farther north especially near Myitson. |
| February 19, 1945: |
In Burma - Many of the Japanese soldiers retreating on the Ramree Island through the mangrove swamp become the victims of the huge saltwater crocodiles. However, the number of 1,000 Japanese soldiers eaten by crocodiles, which even made it into the Guinness Book of Records as the largest animal attack on humans, is just an unsubstantiated myth. |
| February 21, 1945: |
In Burma - The British 17th Indian Division and supporting armored units (elements of British IV Corps) begin a breakout from the bridgehead at Myaungu and advance toward Meiktila. Farther north, troops of British India XXXIII Corps step up their efforts to attract the main Japanese forces when the British 2nd Division crosses the Irrawaddy near Ngazun to link with the British 20th Indian Division who already have a bridgehead near there. Farther north still, the British 36th Division takes Myitson. |
| February 22, 1945: |
In Burma - There are landings near Kangaw carried out by 6000 troops of the British 3rd Commando Brigade and other units. |
| February 24, 1945: |
In Burma - In their advance on Meiktila, the British 17th Indian Division takes Taungtha. |
| February 26, 1945: |
In Burma - The advance of British 17th Indian Division toward Meiktila continues. Mahlaing and the Thabuktong airfield are captured during the day. Future reinforcements for British IV Corps can be flown in to this airfield. |
| February 27, 1945: |
In Burma - Units of the British 19th Indian Division begin to break out of their bridgehead over the Irrawaddy River, at Habeikkyin, and advance south toward Mandalay against heavy Japanese resistance. |
| February 28, 1945: |
In Burma - The British IV Corps begins to attack Meiktila in strength. Although Meiktila is a vital communications center, serving all the Japanese forces around Mandalay and to the north, it is lightly defended. The Japanese command believes the British forces in the area are only lightly armed (in the Chindit pattern) and relatively small. |
| March 3, 1945: |
In Burma - Meiktila is completely occupied by units of the British IV Corps. This effectively cuts the main route for supplies to the bulk of the Japanese forces in Burma is and compels some of the Japanese units fighting farther north, against British India XXXIII Corps, to turn away to try to clear their lines of communication. |
| March 5, 1945: |
In Burma - Japanese counterattacks against British IV Corps begin. The small town of Taungtha is retaken by the Japanese and the British 17th Indian Division is nearly cut off in Meiktila. British airborne supply operations continue, however. |
| March 6, 1945: |
In Burma - In their advance down the Burma Road, units of the Chinese 1st Army reach and capture Lashio. |
| March 8, 1945: |
In Burma - The British 2nd and 20th Indian Divisions begin to break out of their bridgeheads over the Irrawaddy River to the west of Mandalay. |
| March 9, 1945: |
In Burma - The southward advance of the British 19th Indian Division reaches the outskirts of Mandalay. Other units of British India XXXIII Corps are advancing toward the city from the west. The fighting around Meiktila continues as the Japanese bring troops from the Mandalay area in a desperate attempt to free their lines of communications. |
| March 11, 1945: |
In Burma - Mongmit is captured by a converging attack, from north (around Myitson) and west, by the brigades of the British 36th Division. |
| March 12, 1945: |
In Burma - Myotha, southwest of Mandalay, falls to the British 20th Indian Division. |
| March 13, 1945: |
In Burma - Maymo, to the east of Mandalay, is taken by the British 62nd Indian Brigade -- cutting the last rail line to Mandalay. Other units of the British 19th Indian Division are still engaged in Mandalay but most of the city has been capture in a house-to-house fighting. |
| March 15, 1945: |
In Burma - Japanese forces intensive their efforts against Meiktila but fail to make significant progress against the British 17th Indian Division which is receiving supplies, reinforcements and ground attack support from the air. |
| March 17, 1945: |
In Burma - Units of the Chinese 6th Army take Hsipaw on the Burma Road, 50 miles southwest of Lashio. The Chinese 1st Army is still trying to advance along the road from Lashio to clear it of Japanese blocks. |
| March 18, 1945: |
In Burma - The British 2nd Division takes Ava on the bend of the Irrawaddy River only a few miles south of Mandalay. The heavy fighting in Mandalay and round Meiktila continues. |
| March 19, 1945: |
In Burma - Mogok is taken by the British 36th Division. |
| March 20, 1945: |
In Burma - The British 19th Indian Division completes the capture of Mandalay. The Fort Dufferin position has been among the most stubbornly defended by Japanese forces. |
| March 23, 1945: |
In Burma - As well as capturing Mandalay, British India XXXIII Corps units attack southward. Wundwin is taken by British 20th Indian Division on one flank of this advance. |
| March 24, 1945: |
In Burma - The Allied Chinese New 1st Army links up with the Chinese 50th Division near Hsipaw, bringing the campaign in northern Burma to an end. |
| March 28, 1945: |
In Burma - The Japanese have failed in their efforts to retake Meiktila and while they have been involved in this area, British India XXXIII Corps has been making important gains to the north. General Kimura, commanding Japanese forces in Burma, decides that with his main line of communications cut, he must try to withdraw his troops to the east of Meiktila. |
| March 30, 1945: |
In Burma - Kyaukse is taken by British 20th Indian Division. British forces hold most of the important positions on the road between Mandalay and Meiktila. Japanese forces in central Burma have been brought to battle and defeated exactly as General Slim, commanding British 14th Army, has hoped. The Japanese have not been able to slip away largely intact as they intended, and instead have been compelled to fight the main action with improvised forces against the carefully organized British defense around Meiktila. |
| March 31, 1945: |
In Burma - Northeast of Mandalay, the British 36th Division and units of the Chinese 6th Army take Kyaukme. The Burma Road from Mandalay to Lashio has been cleared of Japanese forces. |
| April 8, 1945: |
In Burma - The forces of the British 14th Army have completed regrouping, following their successes at Mandalay and Meiktila, and are now ready for a final offensive against the remaining Japanese forces. The British IV Corps is to advance down the Sittang Valley and British India XXXIII Corps by the Irrawaddy Valley. All of the units have been reorganized to make them more mobile. |
| April 10, 1945: |
In Burma - Thazi, east of Meiktila, is captured by the British IV Corps. |
| April 12, 1945: |
In Burma - The British IV Corps advance continues in the Sittang Valley. There is fighting at Pyaubwe and Yamethin. To the west of Meiktila, British 7th Indian Division from (part of British India XXXIII Corps) captures Kyaukpadaung. |
| April 15, 1945: |
In Burma - The British 20th Indian Division (part of British India XXXIII Corps) captures Taungdwingyi and moves toward Magwe and Thayetmyo. Other units of British India XXXIII Corps are still fighting farther up the Irrawaddy River. |
| April 16, 1945: |
In Burma - In the Arakan, Taungup falls to the British forces. |
| April 19, 1945: |
In Burma - In the south, along the Irrawaddy River, Magwe is taken by British 20th Indian Division advancing southwest from Meiktila. In the Sittang Valley, Pyinmana falls to the British 5th Indian Division, which now leads the advance of British IV Corps. Farther north between Meiktila and the Irrawaddy River, British India XXXIII Corps completes the clearance of the Mount Popa area and capture Chauk. |
| April 21, 1945: |
In Burma - The British IV Corps advance in the Sittang Valley is beginning to pull ahead of the parallel efforts in the Irrawaddy Valley. Yedashe is taken by the British 5th Indian Division, while in the rear the airfields around Pyinmana are being cleared to be put into Allied service. In the Irrawaddy Valley, Yenangyaung falls to British India XXXIII Corps units mopping up in the rear of the main advance. |
| April 22, 1945: |
In Burma - In the Sittang Valley, Toungoo falls to the British 5th Indian Division. |
| April 25, 1945: |
In Burma - In the Irrawaddy Valley, mopping up operations continue. Salin is captured by British forces. The British India XXXIII Corps advance is closing on Allanmyo. The British 5th Indian Division, in the Sittang Valley, continues to advance rapidly and captures of Perwegen. Japanese forces around Rangoon and in other parts of southern Burma are beginning to withdraw through Pegu to the east in order to withdraw into Thailand. |
| April 26, 1945: |
In Burma - Armor of the British 14th Army capture Toungoo in the drive south from Meiktila to Rangoon. |
| April 29, 1945: |
In Burma - In the Irrawaddy Valley, Allanmyo falls to the advances of British India XXXIII Corps. The remaining Japanese units in this area are losing cohesion as a result of the British attacks. In the Sittang Valley, the British 17th Indian Division captures Nyaunglebim and continues attacking near Payagyi. |
| May 1, 1945: |
In Burma - British attacks in the Sittang Valley approach Pegu. Monsoon rains begin in southern Burma, slowing further progress toward Rangoon by land. In anticipation of this eventuality, an amphibious operation to capture Rangoon is initiated with parachute landings at the mouth of the Irrawaddy River, on the east bank. |
| May 2, 1945: |
In Burma - British forces launch Operation Dracula, the amphibious assault on Rangoon. British 26th Indian Division provides the landing force while Admiral Martin commands the 4 escort carriers and other naval units supporting the operation. There is no Japanese resistance. British TF63 (Admiral Walker) with the battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth and Richelieu and 2 escort carriers as well as cruisers and destroyers conduct covering operations in which Port Blair and Car Nicobar are bombed and shelled. Meanwhile, to the north of the landings, the British IV Corps complete the capture Pegu. |
| May 2, 1945: |
Indian Ocean - a Wing Commander James Nicolson, VC, is killed when a RAF B-24 Liberator from No. 355 Squadron, in which he is flying as an observer of Rangoon operation, catches fire and crashes into the Bay of Bengal. Nicolson is the only RAF fighter pilot to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World War, recieving it for bravery during Battle of Britain, when in spite of wounding and plane fire he attacked and shot down enemy plane, although as a result of staying in his burning aircraft he sustained serious burns overall his body. |
| May 3, 1945: |
In Burma - Rangoon is captured by British 26th Indian Division without encountering any Japanese resistance. To the north, on the Irrawaddy River, Prome is taken by British India XXXIII Corps. |
| May 4, 1945: |
In Burma - The advance of the British India XV Corps, northward from Rangoon, and the British IV and British India XXXIII Corps, southward, threatens to cut of the Japanese 28th Army (General Sakurai) from the rest of the Japanese forces. The Irrawaddy river separates the Japanese forces. |
| May 4, 1945: |
Burma - American sergeant Edward Niland is freed from Japanese captivity by the advancing British troops. In May 1944, he failed to return from a B-25 bomber mission and was presumed dead. As his two army brothers, Preston and Robert Niland, were killed at the start of the Normandy landings, a fourth brother, Frederick "Fritz" Niland, also serving in Normandy, was withdrawn from combat and sent to the United States. The story will become the inspiration for the war movie Saving Private Ryan (1998). |
| May 5, 1945: |
In Burma - There are air raids, by aircraft from four British escort carriers, on Japanese bases between Mergui and Victoria Point in southern Burma. |
| May 6, 1945: |
In Burma - Troops from the British 26th Indian Division, part of British India XV Corps, advancing north from Rangoon link with British 17th Indian Division, part of British IV Corps, at Hlegu. The Japanese 28th Army is cut off as a result. Scattered Japanese forces remain in Burma from west of the Sittang River toward Thailand and in the southwest of the country. British mopping-up operations continue, limited by the monsoon weather conditions. |
| May 12, 1945: |
Burma - Nepalese soldier Lachhiman Gurung delivers a heroic performance in defending the village of Taungdaw with a Gurkhah unit against Japanese forces trying to break through. He holds a night attack of 200 enemy soldiers from his position, although after the explosion of a Japanese hand grenade he remains in battle alone and with a torn right hand. With his left hand, he manage to load and fire his rifle for four hours until dawn, when there are 31 dead Japanese in front of his position. He will later be awarded the highest British award, the Victoria Cross, for his bravery and perseverance. |
| May 13, 1945: |
In Burma - In the Arakan area, the British 82nd West African Division occupies Gwa unopposed. |
| June 15, 1945: |
In Liberated Burma - admiral Mountbatten addresses the victory parade in Rangoon. American OSS units complete mopping up operations in the Shan Mountains area. |
| June 25, 1945: |
In Burma - South of Prome, seven villages are cleared of Japanese forces. Mogaung is taken by combined attack of Chinese troops and Chindits. The railway connection supplying the Japanese occupied Myitkyina is interrupted, which causes a turnaround in the stalemate during its siege. |
| July 6, 1945: |
In Burma - Japanese forces strike at British forward positions in the Sittang river bend east of Pegu but fail to make significant gains. Heavy casualties are reportedly inflicted on the Japanese. A Japanese attack on the Mawchi road, 24 miles east of Toungoo is defeated. |
| July 8, 1945: |
In Burma - British Sergeant Simon Eden (aged 20), of the Royal Air Force, and son of the British Foreign Secretary, is listed as missing in action. |
| July 19, 1945: |
In Burma - Japanese units begin an all out effort to breakout of their encircled positions. |
| July 21, 1945: |
In Burma - Heavy fighting took place along the Sittang river as the Japanese continued their counterthrusts. |
| July 22, 1945: |
In Burma - Japanese forces trapped in the Pegu Hills, estimated to number 5000, suffer heavy losses in attempts to breakout eastwards to the Sittang river. |
| July 23, 1945: |
In Burma - Japanese forces continue to attempt to breakout eastwards from the Pegu Hills, despite heavy losses. Only a small proportion have succeeded in crossing the Mandalay-Rangoon road. British commanders report counting more than 500 dead, excluding those killed by artillery and air attacks. |
| July 25, 1945: |
In Burma - Japanese forces pull out of Taunggyi in the Shan states. |
| July 28, 1945: |
In Burma - The Japanese 28th Army attempts to withdraw across the Sittang River. It suffers over 13,000 killed and drowned in the attempt. |
| August 3, 1945: |
In Burma - Organized Japanese resistance comes to an end as the Allies win the "Battle of the Breakthrough." Of 10,000 Japanese troops defending the Pegu Yoma range, 8300 are estimated to be dead. |
| August 4, 1945: |
In Burma - British troops in the Lower Sittang area clear the Japanese from the Pegu-Martaban railway at Abya, northeast of Pegu. |
| August 7, 1945: |
In Burma - British troops encounter determined resistance from Japanese forces in the flooded area between Myitkyo and the old Sittang River channel. |
| August 26, 1945: |
In Burma - Japanese envoys, led by Lt. General Numato, Chief of Staff to Field Marshal Terauchi, Commander in Chief, Japanese Southern Army, arrives at an airfield outside Rangoon this morning to carry out surrender arrangements in southeast Asia. |
| August 27, 1945: |
In Burma - Contact has been established with the Japanese troops in the Sittang valley and they now await specific surrender instructions. |
| August 28, 1945: |
In Burma - Japanese forces sign a formal surrender in Rangoon. |
| August 30, 1945: |
In Burma - Japanese forces based at Abya surrender to the Allies. |
| December 19, 1945: |
England - The son of Leon Amery, British Minister for India and Burma in Churchill´s war cabinet, is executed in London. John Amery was convicted of a total of eight high betrayals, including organizing the British Free Corps (Britisches Freikorps), a Waffen-SS unit made up of former prisoners of war from British dominions. |
| May 3, 1946: |
San Francisco - Generals Joe Stilwell and Frank Merrill, combat veterans from fights in Southeast Asia, lead two Marine platoons in suppressing the prison uprising known as the Battle of Alcatraz. |
| October 12, 1946: |
United States - General Joseph Stilwell dies of stomach cancer in San Francisco, who served mainly in China, India and Burma during the war and in the of war commanded the 10th Army in Okinawa after death of General Buckner. |
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| Literature sources: |
 | Jordan, David, Wiest Andrew: Atlas Of World War II., Ottovo nakladatelství, 2006, Praha |
 . | Swanston, Alexander & Malcolm: The Historical Atlas of World War II, Columbus, 2007, Praha |
 | Hata, Izawa, Sh, Ikuhiro, Yasuho, Christopher: Japanese army air force fighter units and their aces, 1931-1945, DOBROVSKÝ s.r.o., 2007, Praha |
 | O´Brien, Terence: Out of the Blue, Nae vojsko, 2007, Praha |
| . | Newark, Tim: Turing the Tide of War, Ottovo nakladatelství, 2003, Praha |
 | Rottman, Gordon L.: M3 Medium Tank vs Panzer III - Kasserine Pass 1943, Grada Publishing a.s., 2010, Praha |
 | Hrbek, Jaroslav, Hrbek Ivan: Vítězství přichází z moře (Victory comes from sea), Nae vojsko, 1999, Praha |
 | Rooney, David: Burma victory, Mustang, 1995, Plzeň |
Roubíček, Marcel: Armády vazalů Japonska 1894-1945 (Armies of Japanese Vassal States 1894-1945), HPM No. 4/2001
Pátek, Zdeněk: Thunderbolty v britských slubách (Thunderbolts in British Service), HPM No. 2 a 3/1995
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