Battle of the Yunnan–Burma Road facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Yunnan-Burma Road |
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| Part of the Second Sino-Japanese War, World War II | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Shōjirō Iida Shozo Sakurai Masao Watanabe Takeshi Koga Yūzō Matsuyama Yutaka Hiroshi J.R.Seriroengrit |
 Joseph Stilwell Luo Zhuoying Sun Li Jen Liu Fangwu Dai Anlan Liao Yaoxiang James Scott David Tennant Cowan John Anstice William Slim Claire Lee Chennault |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 35,000 | 95,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 33rd, 55th, 56th, Phayap Army |
50,000 | ||||||
The Battle of Yunnan-Burma Road was a major event during World War II. It took place from March 18 to May 24, 1942. This battle was part of the larger 1942 Burma Campaign.
During this time, Chinese forces stepped in to help their British allies. They fought against Japanese forces in Burma. The main goal was to protect a vital supply route called the Burma Road. This road connected China to the outside world.
The Chinese forces were called the Chinese Expeditionary Force. They were led by Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell from the United States. Lieutenant General Luo Zhuoying was his second-in-command.
In February 1942, Chinese armies began moving into Burma. The 5th Army went to Taungoo. The 6th Army moved towards the border with Thailand. Later, the 66th Army arrived to help the British.
Contents
Key Battles of the Campaign
This campaign involved many important battles. These fights happened in different parts of Burma. They were all part of the larger effort to control the Burma Road.
Early Engagements
- Battle of Tachiao: This battle took place on March 18–19, 1942.
- Battle of Oktwin: Fought from March 20–23, 1942, near Oktwin.
- Battle of Toungoo: This major battle happened from March 24–30, 1942, in and around Taungoo.
- Battle of Yedashe: Took place from April 5–8, 1942, near Yedashe.
- Battle of Szuwa River: Fought from April 10–16, 1942, at the Szuwa River.
Important Clashes
- Battle of Mawchi and Bato: These battles occurred in early April 1942, near Mawchi.
- Battle of Bawlake: This fight happened on April 17, 1942, near Bawlakhe.
- Battle of Yenangyaung: A significant battle from April 17–19, 1942.
- Battle of Pyinmana: Fought from April 17–20, 1942, near Pyinmana.
- Battle of Loikaw: This battle took place on April 20, 1942, near Loikaw.
Later Stages of the Campaign
- Battle of Hopong-Taunggyi: Fought from April 20–24, 1942, near Hopong and Taunggyi.
- Battle of Loilem: This battle happened on April 25, 1942, near Loilem.
- Battle of Lashio: Took place on April 29, 1942, near Lashio.
- Battle of Hsenwe: Fought on May 1, 1942.
- Battle of Salween River: This extended battle occurred from May 6–31, 1942.
- Battle of Hsipaw-Mogok Highway: The final battle on May 23, 1942.
See also
- China Burma India Theater of World War II (CBI)
- The 1942 Japanese advance to the Indian frontier in the Burma Campaign
- Battle of Northern Burma and Western Yunnan
- X Force and Y Force for Chinese forces which fought in the Burma Campaign
