Opening the Forgotten Front

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, it simultaneously launched invasions across Southeast Asia, including Burma – then a British colony. The fall of Burma in May 1942 severed China’s last land connection with Allied forces, leaving the country isolated against Japanese occupation. This strategic catastrophe forced the Allies to develop an audacious plan: reopen the Burma Road by launching a counteroffensive through some of the world’s most treacherous terrain.

The stakes could not have been higher. With coastal ports under Japanese control, China’s survival depended on supplies flown over the Himalayas – the perilous “Hump” route. But air transport alone couldn’t sustain China’s war effort. A land route had to be reopened, setting the stage for one of World War II’s most challenging yet least remembered campaigns.

The Road Back: 1943-1944 Offensives

In October 1943, the newly formed Chinese Army in India launched its long-awaited counterattack. Trained and equipped at Ramgarh under American supervision, these forces represented China’s best hope to retake northern Burma. The campaign opened with New 38th Division’s 112th Regiment advancing from Ledo toward Yupbang Ga, encountering fierce resistance from Japan’s veteran 18th Division.

The battle for Yupbang Ga became a microcosm of the entire campaign – a brutal struggle against both a determined enemy and unforgiving jungle. Japanese troops dug into fortified positions, while Chinese forces, supported by American airpower, gradually learned to combine firepower with flanking maneuvers. After two months of intense combat, the Chinese secured Yupbang Ga on December 28, 1943, proving they could defeat Japanese forces in jungle warfare.

The Twin Drives: Hukawng and Mogaung Valleys

With Yupbang Ga secured, the campaign split into two prongs. The New 22nd Division pushed south toward Taro, while New 38th Division advanced toward Taihpa Ga. This pincer movement aimed at Myitkyina, the strategic key to northern Burma. The New 22nd’s capture of Taro on January 31, 1944, marked the first major victory, eliminating 700 Japanese defenders.

Meanwhile, the New 38th Division faced Japan’s 18th Division at Walawbum. In a masterstroke of maneuver warfare, the Chinese flanked Japanese positions, forcing their withdrawal after intense fighting from March 3-9. This victory cleared the Hukawng Valley and opened the way to Mogaung Valley, where even tougher fighting awaited.

The Siege of Myitkyina

The campaign’s climax came at Myitkyina, the northern terminus of Burma’s railway network. American-led “Merrill’s Marauders” made a daring overland march to seize the airfield on May 17, 1944, allowing Chinese reinforcements to be airlifted in. What followed was a grueling 78-day siege marked by monsoons, disease, and desperate Japanese resistance.

Chinese forces, now organized as the New 1st Army under General Sun Li-jen, gradually tightened the noose. The final assault began on August 3, with Chinese and American troops fighting house-to-house against fanatical resistance. When the city fell on August 5, it marked a turning point – the Allies now controlled northern Burma’s transportation hub.

The Southern Thrust: Battle for Bhamo

Even as Myitkyina fell, Chinese forces turned south toward Bhamo, a critical Japanese stronghold on the Irrawaddy River. The New 38th Division’s approach in October 1944 forced Japanese commanders into a dilemma – reinforce Bhamo or defend the approaches to Mandalay. They chose to make a stand.

The month-long battle showcased Chinese tactical sophistication. While the 113th Regiment pinned down defenders frontally, the 112th Regiment executed a daring flanking maneuver across mountainous terrain, cutting Bhamo’s supply lines. By November 25, Japanese resistance collapsed, opening the road to Lashio and eventual linkup with Yunnan-based Chinese forces.

The Final Linkup: Burma Road Reopened

As 1945 began, Chinese forces pushed toward Namhkam, the last obstacle before linking with Yunnan-based units. The New 30th Division’s capture of Namhkam on January 15 completed the northern pincer. Meanwhile, in Yunnan, Chinese Expeditionary Forces had fought their way through the Salween River gorges, taking Tengchong and Lungling after brutal sieges.

The historic meeting came on January 27, 1945, at Mongyu, where the Burma and Ledo Roads joined. After nearly three years of isolation, China had its land route restored. On January 28, a formal ceremony at Wanting celebrated the reopening of the Burma Road – now christened the Stilwell Road in honor of the American general who had championed the campaign.

Legacy of the Burma Campaign

The Burma Campaign’s significance extends far beyond its battlefields. It marked China’s first sustained offensive victory against Japan, proving Chinese troops could defeat the Imperial Army when properly trained and equipped. The Ledo-Burma Road became the conduit for crucial supplies that sustained China’s war effort until victory.

Perhaps most importantly, the campaign forged lasting bonds between Chinese and American soldiers who fought together in the jungles. While often overshadowed by other Pacific Theater operations, the Burma Campaign remains a testament to Allied cooperation and Chinese resilience against overwhelming odds. Today, as the “Forgotten Theater” of World War II receives renewed attention, the sacrifices of those who fought to reopen China’s lifeline deserve remembrance.