The Chinese Army in the First Burma Campaign

In: Journal of Chinese Military History, Volume 2, Issue 1, p. 43-73

Abstract

Abstract
The article analyzes the performance of the Chinese Nationalist army in the First Burma Campaign in 1942. This combat demonstrated new challenges that faced the Chinese army. After more than four years of fighting, a weakened Chinese army struggled to open a new front in the remote southwestern border area and Burma. The Chinese forces deployed in Burma included some of the best Chinese divisions, but the rest were ordinary or even weak formations. Hence their performance in Burma was no better than those back in China. Their doctrine of defense in depth (and their tactics) did not suit warfare in Burma. Although they succeeded in defending Toungoo for ten days, in other engagements the Chinese units failed to halt the Japanese. They suffered further losses during the retreat since they were not familiar with jungle warfare. In addition, the Chinese troops did not handle their relations with the British forces and local Burmese population well. These failures contributed to the collapse of the front.