Page 371 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

History CONTEXTS 369
World War II
Agitations for independence took a back seat, however, with the outbreak of World War
II, during which Burma would become a pivotal region in the fight between Japanese,
Allied and Chinese forces. Many nationalists saw the war as a chance to wring further
concessions out of the British in return for Burmese help; others, including the
Thakins, were resolutely opposed to any form of involvement in the fighting.
The rebellious young student Aung San, meanwhile, had given up his university
studies in order to devote himself to the anti-colonial struggle, and in 1940 was forced
to flee Burma after the British issued a warrant for his arrest. He travelled to China,
hoping to gain assistance from the Kuomintang government, but was intercepted by
the Japanese authorities in Amoy, who offered their help instead. Aung San and 29
fellow nationalists – the so-called “Thirty Comrades” (whose number also included
future dictator Ne Win) – were subsequently taken by the Japanese to Hainan Island
and given military training.

The Japanese occupation
Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia the war was advancing steadily closer to Burma. In
November 1941 the Japanese forces invaded British-ruled Malaya and began
moving into Thailand (which had signed a military alliance with Japan). Two
months later, further Japanese forces (accompanied by the Thirty Comrades,
including Aung San) moved through northern Thailand and into Tenasserim
(Tanintharyi) in southern Burma, capturing Moulmein (Mawlamyine) after fierce
fighting. Rangoon was evacuated in March 1942, there being insufficient troops
available to defend the city, leaving the Japanese to enter unopposed. Allied troops
retreated northwards and, after further fighting, were ordered to leave Burma for
India. The Thai army, meanwhile, occupied Kayah and Shan states, as previously
agreed in their treaty with the Japanese.
Many Burmese initially saw the Japanese – fellow Asians and Buddhists alike – as
liberators come to help them shake off British rule, although it soon became obvious
that life under the Japanese was no better than it had been under the British – in fact
quite possibly the opposite. The country was renamed the State of Burma and a puppet
government installed, but real independence remained as distant as ever. Increasingly
disgruntled, Aung San (who had served as war minister and head of the army in the
Japanese-sponsored government) put himself and the Burmese National Army (of
which he was now commander) at the service of the British.
The Allied counterattack
Allied attempts to retake Burma following the Japanese occupation were put on
hold, the battles in Europe and the Middle East being considered of more pressing
importance, while political disturbances and famine in Bengal were also tying up large
numbers of troops. It was not until October 1943 that a combined force of British,
Indian, African, American and Chinese soldiers began moving back into northern
Burma. Progress through the jungles was slow and difficult, but by May 1944 the
airfield at Myitkyina had been taken, establishing an air link with India and China.
At the same time the Japanese launched a counterattack, attempting to drive through
to Imphal, the capital of Manipur in British India, but their advance was halted at

1852 1853
Second Anglo-Burmese War: the whole of southern King Mindon assumes power, initiating wide-
Myanmar falls to the British, who establish a new reaching reforms in an attempt to modernize
capital at Yangon (Rangoon) the country

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