Battle of Bilin River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Bilin River |
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| Part of The Burma Campaign | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 British Empire British India |
 Japan |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Sir John Smyth |
Shōjirō Iida |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 1 division | 2 divisions | ||||||
The Battle of Bilin River was an important early battle during World War II in Burma. It took place from February 14 to February 19, 1942. Japan won this battle against the British Indian Army. This win helped Japan achieve another big victory soon after at the Battle of Sittang Bridge.
Brigadier Sir John Smyth led the 17th Indian Infantry Division during this battle. He described the Bilin River as "only a ditch" at that time of year. However, he also called it "a good co-ordinating line" for defense. His division was new and had not fought in a battle before.
Japanese forces entered Burma (now Myanmar) on January 15. They quickly captured Tavoy (now Dawei) on January 19. This cut off the soldiers at Mergui, who had to escape by sea. The Japanese also took three small airfields. This gave them air support for their troops. They then moved towards Kawkareik.
Brigadier Smyth wanted to pull his troops back to a stronger defensive area. But he was ordered to stay and fight where they were.
What Happened Before the Battle?
On January 26, the Japanese 55th Division attacked Moulmein. Taking this town would give them another airfield. But it was a difficult place for the Indian Army to defend. It was also hard to retreat from because there was no bridge over the Gulf of Martaban. Any escape would need boats or ferries.
The British Indian Army fought hard for two days. They then managed to escape on a river steamer. However, they lost about 600 soldiers. They also lost a lot of their military supplies.
Brigadier Smyth sent another officer, Brigadier "Punch" Cowan, to Rangoon. Cowan was to ask the Army Commander, General Hutton, for permission to move the troops. Smyth wanted to retreat behind the Sittang River (now Sittaung). General Hutton refused this request. Smyth later called this a "disastrous decision."
The Battle Begins
The 17th Division held their ground at the Bilin River. They fought the Japanese for two days in close-quarters jungle combat. The Japanese strategy was to go around the sides of the British Indian forces. They aimed to surround them.
When it looked like the division would be completely surrounded, General Hutton arrived. He came from Rangoon and finally gave Smyth permission to retreat. The 17th Division managed to break away from the fighting under the cover of darkness. They began a 30-mile (48 km) retreat along a dusty road towards the Sittang Bridge.
What Happened Next?
The 17th Division slowly moved back towards the bridge over the Sittang River. But the Japanese managed to get around them. The Japanese reached the bridge area first. This forced the British to blow up the bridge.
Most of the 17th Division was then stuck on the wrong side of the Sittang River. While many soldiers eventually crossed the river, they lost almost all of their equipment.
Sources
- Liddell Hart, B.H., History of the Second World War. New York: G.P. Putnam, 1970. ISBN: 0-306-80912-5.
- Slim, William (1956), Defeat Into Victory. Citations from the Four Square Books 1958 edition which lacks an ISBN, but also available from NY: Buccaneer Books ISBN: 1-56849-077-1, Cooper Square Press ISBN: 0-8154-1022-0; London: Cassell ISBN: 0-304-29114-5, Pan ISBN: 0-330-39066-X.
