December 1942
Retaking Myitkyina
The Allied 14th Indian Division began its (unsuccessful) attempt to seize the Mayu peninsula back from the Japanese in December 1942. At the same time, the British and Gurkha special forces (the "Chindits") were preparing for their first attempt to push deep behind Japanese lines in northern Burma ("Operation Longcloth"). The Japanese were then also battling the Chinese in Yunnan, whose 5th and 6th armies had tried in vain that year to hold the Shan states and, in 1943, would begin their push (with American support) across the Salween River towards Muse.
It was not until August 1944 that American and Chinese forces supported by Kachin Rangers managed to capture Myitkyina after a gruelling five-month long siege that began in March that year. American forces included the famed “Merrill’s Marauders”. The Japanese put up a fierce defence against almost impossible odds and both sides suffered greatly, with a total of 7,000 men dead or wounded. The Japanese commander, Major-General Genzo Mizukami committed suicide after finally evacuating the town in early August.
The retaking of Myitkyina (and Mogaung around the same time) allowed the Allies to open the new Ledo or “Stillwell” Road linking India and China.
The photographs show Chinese troops preparing to attack Myitkyina and a (very) young Chinese soldier, waiting to be airlifted from Myitkyina in Burma back home to China.