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Burma '44
'A thrilling blow-by-blow account' The Times
In February 1944, a rag-tag collection of clerks, drivers, doctors, muleteers, and other base troops, stiffened by a few dogged Yorkshiremen and a handful of tank crews managed to hold out against some of the finest infantry in the Japanese Army, and then defeat them in what was one of the most astonishing battles of the Second World War.
What became know as The Defence of the Admin Box, fought amongst the paddy fields and jungle of Northern Arakan over a fifteen-day period, turned the battle for Burma. Not only was it the first decisive victory for British troops against the Japanese, more significantly, it demonstrated how the Japanese could be defeated. The lessons learned in this tiny and otherwise insignificant corner of the Far East, set up the campaign in Burma that would follow, as General Slim’s Fourteenth Army finally turned defeat into victory.
Burma '44 is a tale of incredible drama. As gripping as the story of Rorke's drift, as momentous as the battle for the Ardennes, the Admin Box was a triumph of human grit and heroism and remains one of the most significant yet undervalued conflicts of World War Two.
In February 1944, a rag-tag collection of clerks, drivers, doctors, muleteers, and other base troops, stiffened by a few dogged Yorkshiremen and a handful of tank crews managed to hold out against some of the finest infantry in the Japanese Army, and then defeat them in what was one of the most astonishing battles of the Second World War.
What became know as The Defence of the Admin Box, fought amongst the paddy fields and jungle of Northern Arakan over a fifteen-day period, turned the battle for Burma. Not only was it the first decisive victory for British troops against the Japanese, more significantly, it demonstrated how the Japanese could be defeated. The lessons learned in this tiny and otherwise insignificant corner of the Far East, set up the campaign in Burma that would follow, as General Slim’s Fourteenth Army finally turned defeat into victory.
Burma '44 is a tale of incredible drama. As gripping as the story of Rorke's drift, as momentous as the battle for the Ardennes, the Admin Box was a triumph of human grit and heroism and remains one of the most significant yet undervalued conflicts of World War Two.
413 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2016
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1444 people want to read
About the author
James Holland
67 books1,025 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
James Holland was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and studied history at Durham University. He has worked for several London publishing houses and has also written for a number of national newspapers and magazines. Married with a son, he lives near Salisbury.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
James Holland was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and studied history at Durham University. He has worked for several London publishing houses and has also written for a number of national newspapers and magazines. Married with a son, he lives near Salisbury.
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August 17, 2025
Learning to Win
Before the Battle of the Admin Box which took place from 05-23/02/1944 the British had not managed to secure any real victory against Imperial Japan. This elusive, violent and unforgiving new foe seemed invincible. Having attacked Pearl Harbour and then swept south and west, taking the fortress of Singapore, probably the greatest British military defeat in history, Hong Kong, the sinking the of the HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse and taking Burma all pointed to the sun setting on the British. However, the Admin Box was a decisive victory. It showed that the Japanese could be beaten and taught the British how to do it. From here on in Lord Louis Mountbatten’s and General Bill Slim’s leadership and innovation brought a successful campaign to Burma for which the Japanese had not answer. James Holland brings this amazing story alive in his pure historical retelling.
Mountbatten had his critics, but he brought charm, e every and good judgement. His choice of Silm’s appointment as commander of the Fourteenth Army was not at first obvious, but was completely inspired. Holland is a huge fan of Slim and this is justified. He changed the war in the east. There were gour fundamental problems facing Slim when he took over. First, the terrain was the hardest in the world, thick jungle where any snap of a twig could be an enemy just yards away, out of sight, humid conditions and all sorts of lethal creatures, such as blood leaches which prevented most from sleeping at night. The second was disease, malaria stuck 84% of soldiers at least once during the fighting, almost everyone was struck by dysentery and there were other diseases such as jungle typhus, which often proved fatal. The Fourteen lost on average 12,000 soldiers per day to disease over the campaign! The third, was the lack of air supremacy. They were outnumbered and lacked newer technology such as radar. The fourth and final was morale. It was abysmal, as the British were untrained for jungle warfare and felt like they were facing an unbeatable and unreasonable enemy built for this kind of fighting.
Slim changed all this. Good morale was restored on Silm’s foundations of spiritual, intellectual and material. He told them their task was a noble one, the Japanese could be beaten, British soldiers were well equipped and well trained and their lives would not be thrown away lightly and finally with this good equipment they would be well supported logically. He ensured there would be no flanking manoeuvres by digging defendable areas known as ‘boxes’. Everyone would be armed from the cook to wireless operators and any trapped or besieged men would be supplied via air until they could be relieved. Slim also introduced the newer Spitfire Vs which replaced the worn out and inadequate Hurricanes. This took the Japanese by surprise in the air, who did not counter act this. He also recruited thousands of Indian soldiers to built supply roads through the jungle where mules and tucks alike could keep the supply lines running. Local women were paid to water them to keep the dust off them, which intern prevented long term damage.
When the Admin Box came, which Holland describes as a 20th century Rorke’s Drift, but with more legitimacy for the British and Indian troops involved, they proved themselves against 7,000 Japanese soldiers beating them back. The knife was just as essential as the Bren gun or Lee Enfield rifle. Japanese dominance was over and the tide was turned. Holland shows this was a typical British victory. An army poorly performing and beaten back at first and then slowly learning how to win over time. He adds excellent insight and knowledge into this theatre, which no one has covered for so long. The characters, the action, the theatre are all fascinating. Burma ‘44 is an excellent book of how the British learned to fight and win in WWII. I really enjoyed it.
Before the Battle of the Admin Box which took place from 05-23/02/1944 the British had not managed to secure any real victory against Imperial Japan. This elusive, violent and unforgiving new foe seemed invincible. Having attacked Pearl Harbour and then swept south and west, taking the fortress of Singapore, probably the greatest British military defeat in history, Hong Kong, the sinking the of the HMS Prince of Wales and Repulse and taking Burma all pointed to the sun setting on the British. However, the Admin Box was a decisive victory. It showed that the Japanese could be beaten and taught the British how to do it. From here on in Lord Louis Mountbatten’s and General Bill Slim’s leadership and innovation brought a successful campaign to Burma for which the Japanese had not answer. James Holland brings this amazing story alive in his pure historical retelling.
Mountbatten had his critics, but he brought charm, e every and good judgement. His choice of Silm’s appointment as commander of the Fourteenth Army was not at first obvious, but was completely inspired. Holland is a huge fan of Slim and this is justified. He changed the war in the east. There were gour fundamental problems facing Slim when he took over. First, the terrain was the hardest in the world, thick jungle where any snap of a twig could be an enemy just yards away, out of sight, humid conditions and all sorts of lethal creatures, such as blood leaches which prevented most from sleeping at night. The second was disease, malaria stuck 84% of soldiers at least once during the fighting, almost everyone was struck by dysentery and there were other diseases such as jungle typhus, which often proved fatal. The Fourteen lost on average 12,000 soldiers per day to disease over the campaign! The third, was the lack of air supremacy. They were outnumbered and lacked newer technology such as radar. The fourth and final was morale. It was abysmal, as the British were untrained for jungle warfare and felt like they were facing an unbeatable and unreasonable enemy built for this kind of fighting.
Slim changed all this. Good morale was restored on Silm’s foundations of spiritual, intellectual and material. He told them their task was a noble one, the Japanese could be beaten, British soldiers were well equipped and well trained and their lives would not be thrown away lightly and finally with this good equipment they would be well supported logically. He ensured there would be no flanking manoeuvres by digging defendable areas known as ‘boxes’. Everyone would be armed from the cook to wireless operators and any trapped or besieged men would be supplied via air until they could be relieved. Slim also introduced the newer Spitfire Vs which replaced the worn out and inadequate Hurricanes. This took the Japanese by surprise in the air, who did not counter act this. He also recruited thousands of Indian soldiers to built supply roads through the jungle where mules and tucks alike could keep the supply lines running. Local women were paid to water them to keep the dust off them, which intern prevented long term damage.
When the Admin Box came, which Holland describes as a 20th century Rorke’s Drift, but with more legitimacy for the British and Indian troops involved, they proved themselves against 7,000 Japanese soldiers beating them back. The knife was just as essential as the Bren gun or Lee Enfield rifle. Japanese dominance was over and the tide was turned. Holland shows this was a typical British victory. An army poorly performing and beaten back at first and then slowly learning how to win over time. He adds excellent insight and knowledge into this theatre, which no one has covered for so long. The characters, the action, the theatre are all fascinating. Burma ‘44 is an excellent book of how the British learned to fight and win in WWII. I really enjoyed it.
July 3, 2019
This is the fourth of Mr. Holland’s books I’ve read this year. As with the others, I found it to be a well written and researched and more importantly a complete look at the subject he is writing about. In this case it is a little known battle fought in February of 1944 between the British/Indian Army and the Japanese on a the India – Burma border. It has become known at the Battle of the Admin Box.
In telling the story of the battle, the author tells of just how the two armies came to be at the location, how British General William Slim remade the British Army and gave it back its confidence and in addition to the ground war, how the RAF influenced the battle. The 14th Army was in many ways a forgotten army, in fact when Lord Mountbatten assumed Theater Command, he would joke with his troops that, “You arenot forgotten, people back home didn’t know you're here.” At the far ends of the supply lines, British equipment was often obsolete and scarce. Mr. Holland uses fighter aircraft to illustrate this. In 1944, the RAF was just reequipping with Spitfire Mk Vs. They had been flying Hurricanes, which were no match the Japanese fighters they were opposing. On the Army side of the equation, he looks at the M-3 Grant Medium tanks that the 25 Dragoons were issued just before battle begins. For the Navy’s part of the scarcity, the author relates how the lack of landing craft, or more truthfully, the needs of other theaters of war that were rated more important, canceled several planned amphibious operations. This forced the British to plan their 1944 offensive to go through the jungle.
In looking at the Japanese, Mr Holland explains just how scant logistics were all part of the plan. Advancing troops were expected to live off the land or capture enemy stores. This view led the Japanese infantry to be extremely mobile and very effective in the Jungle advance in 1942/43.
The battle commenced in February 1944. The Japanese attacked the 7th Indian Division, by passing the Divisions Infantry Bdes in an attempt to capture the division’s supply depots located in the Admin Area of the division, giving the battle its name. When telling about Japanese assaults, the author give some vivid examples of just how ruthless the Japanese were. One of the starkest examples is what happened when the Japanese captured the division’s hospital. The Japanese just did not kill all of the patients and hospital staff, but bayoneted or beat them to death.
The author does an excellent job of telling of the resupply efforts made both RAF and USAAF transport aircraft. This is where the importance of the newly arrived Spitfires is shown. The Spitfires were able to gain air superiority over the battlefield and allow the British resupply drops to succeed.
In looking at the ground combat, the importance of 25th Dragoons and the Grant tanks is brought to the fore. While the tanks were at best obsolescent on the European battlefields, the Japanese did not have any effective counter measures. The Dragoons were able to use the 75 mm guns as very effective bunker busters and to break up Japanese infantry assaults.
Finally, what happened the Japanese troops when their plan of living off captured food and other supply needs didn’t happen is well told. By the end of the 15-day battle the Japanese were literally starving, out of most medical supplies and were short of ammunition.
While in itself this was not a very big battle, it did prove to the British/Indians that they could take the best the Japanese could throw at them and not only survive, but also defeat their foe.
I found this a very informative and enlightening read, esp for an American who does not have a very firm grasp on that theater of the War. I would rate this a 4.25 star read, so I’ve rounded down for GR
In telling the story of the battle, the author tells of just how the two armies came to be at the location, how British General William Slim remade the British Army and gave it back its confidence and in addition to the ground war, how the RAF influenced the battle. The 14th Army was in many ways a forgotten army, in fact when Lord Mountbatten assumed Theater Command, he would joke with his troops that, “You arenot forgotten, people back home didn’t know you're here.” At the far ends of the supply lines, British equipment was often obsolete and scarce. Mr. Holland uses fighter aircraft to illustrate this. In 1944, the RAF was just reequipping with Spitfire Mk Vs. They had been flying Hurricanes, which were no match the Japanese fighters they were opposing. On the Army side of the equation, he looks at the M-3 Grant Medium tanks that the 25 Dragoons were issued just before battle begins. For the Navy’s part of the scarcity, the author relates how the lack of landing craft, or more truthfully, the needs of other theaters of war that were rated more important, canceled several planned amphibious operations. This forced the British to plan their 1944 offensive to go through the jungle.
In looking at the Japanese, Mr Holland explains just how scant logistics were all part of the plan. Advancing troops were expected to live off the land or capture enemy stores. This view led the Japanese infantry to be extremely mobile and very effective in the Jungle advance in 1942/43.
The battle commenced in February 1944. The Japanese attacked the 7th Indian Division, by passing the Divisions Infantry Bdes in an attempt to capture the division’s supply depots located in the Admin Area of the division, giving the battle its name. When telling about Japanese assaults, the author give some vivid examples of just how ruthless the Japanese were. One of the starkest examples is what happened when the Japanese captured the division’s hospital. The Japanese just did not kill all of the patients and hospital staff, but bayoneted or beat them to death.
The author does an excellent job of telling of the resupply efforts made both RAF and USAAF transport aircraft. This is where the importance of the newly arrived Spitfires is shown. The Spitfires were able to gain air superiority over the battlefield and allow the British resupply drops to succeed.
In looking at the ground combat, the importance of 25th Dragoons and the Grant tanks is brought to the fore. While the tanks were at best obsolescent on the European battlefields, the Japanese did not have any effective counter measures. The Dragoons were able to use the 75 mm guns as very effective bunker busters and to break up Japanese infantry assaults.
Finally, what happened the Japanese troops when their plan of living off captured food and other supply needs didn’t happen is well told. By the end of the 15-day battle the Japanese were literally starving, out of most medical supplies and were short of ammunition.
While in itself this was not a very big battle, it did prove to the British/Indians that they could take the best the Japanese could throw at them and not only survive, but also defeat their foe.
I found this a very informative and enlightening read, esp for an American who does not have a very firm grasp on that theater of the War. I would rate this a 4.25 star read, so I’ve rounded down for GR
April 25, 2019
This book is about one of the barely known fights in the Burma campaign. The first part of the book moves along at a slower speed as the 'playing field' and players are identified on both sides. There are some good maps, but since all are at the front of the book, it necessitates flipping back and forth.
The big story begins in early February of 1944, when the Japanese make a surprise attack on the 7th Division headquarters under General Frank Messervy, forcing the British troops and their allies back into what is called the Ad Min Box. To protect their supplies the British put up a desperate fight despite the fact that they are cut off. Fortunately, they do have air support, which makes all the difference. On the other hand, the Japanese find themselves the victims of disease and hunger as well as combat wounds. It turns into a fight to stave off defeat--one which the British win by late February when the siege is lifted.
The reputation of the Japanese army as jungle fighters was bruised. It would be further damaged with success at Imphal and Kohima, but the Ad Min Box was the beginning of the turnaround from the disasters of 1942. Reading the description of the fighting conditions is an insight into what is often referred to as 'the Forgotten Army,' but not everyone forgot it.
One of the few humorous episodes related was a letter received by Corporal Leslie Taylor. The letter was from Inland Revenue demanding details on the civilian and military income which he and his wife had acquired. It would seem that even in the middle of the hell that was Burma, taxes (and too often death) prevailed.
The big story begins in early February of 1944, when the Japanese make a surprise attack on the 7th Division headquarters under General Frank Messervy, forcing the British troops and their allies back into what is called the Ad Min Box. To protect their supplies the British put up a desperate fight despite the fact that they are cut off. Fortunately, they do have air support, which makes all the difference. On the other hand, the Japanese find themselves the victims of disease and hunger as well as combat wounds. It turns into a fight to stave off defeat--one which the British win by late February when the siege is lifted.
The reputation of the Japanese army as jungle fighters was bruised. It would be further damaged with success at Imphal and Kohima, but the Ad Min Box was the beginning of the turnaround from the disasters of 1942. Reading the description of the fighting conditions is an insight into what is often referred to as 'the Forgotten Army,' but not everyone forgot it.
One of the few humorous episodes related was a letter received by Corporal Leslie Taylor. The letter was from Inland Revenue demanding details on the civilian and military income which he and his wife had acquired. It would seem that even in the middle of the hell that was Burma, taxes (and too often death) prevailed.
July 10, 2019
It's not you, it's me... unless I'm familiar with the battle, Holland's bombardment of eyewitness accounts & factoids will not help me grasp the picture ?
Need. To. Prepare. With Burma: The Longest War 1941-45
Need. To. Prepare. With Burma: The Longest War 1941-45
June 16, 2016
Learning to win
Yet another interesting history from Mr Holland, this time describing the battle where the British and Indian forces learned how to beat the Japanese. We are told how General Slim and his subordinates turned around the fortunes of Fourteenth Army, beating indescribable conditions and odds to create a force capable of overcoming the then unbeatable Japanese.
Although the only sources are British, this does not detract in any way from the narrative and I still felt I had had the full story of the campaign.
Overall this is a well written story of a virtually untold campaign. Well worth a read.
Yet another interesting history from Mr Holland, this time describing the battle where the British and Indian forces learned how to beat the Japanese. We are told how General Slim and his subordinates turned around the fortunes of Fourteenth Army, beating indescribable conditions and odds to create a force capable of overcoming the then unbeatable Japanese.
Although the only sources are British, this does not detract in any way from the narrative and I still felt I had had the full story of the campaign.
Overall this is a well written story of a virtually untold campaign. Well worth a read.
January 17, 2022
James Holland's gripping account of the battle in Burma that was fought in February 1944 between the British (mostly Indian) Army and the Japanese. Up until then, the Brits hadn't done too well against the Japanese, not least because that theater of operations had the lowest priority for men, weapons and supplies. But by the beginning of 1944, new leadership (especially that of the commander of the 14th Army, General William Slim), better weapons and improved training and medical facilities had the Allies back in fighting form. This book narrates the fighting in Arakan known as the Battle of the Admin Box, wherein the Indian 7th Division was surrounded by Japanese forces, as was so often the case with fighting between these two foes. But rather than retreat, the Brits dug in, held their ground and were supplied from the air. After ferocious close-quarter combat, the Japanese were destroyed and the Allies resumed their offensive. Holland treats this battle with his usual attention to detail and his portrayal of the suffering of the soldiers, all the while keeping the larger strategic picture in mind. What is lacking is the Japanese view of the battle, the book being very much the British and Indian side of the story. It isn't the first book one should read about the war in Burma (that should probably be Louis Allen's Burma: The Longest War) but it could well be the second.
February 13, 2025
It's a soft 3 star rating but it's far far better than his Battle of Britain which had me screaming by page 200. A very small battle in the midst of a very large campaign that shines a light light on that very dim CBI theater of which hardly anything is known in the Western world. I think he did downplay Churchill's part in the Bengal famine absolutely exonerating him of any blame for the severity of it. I consider that a bit of a homerism and and to apologetic. On balance it's good enough book for what it is but it's not amongst the high and mighty.
November 3, 2023
Rååått. Krig er dritt i utgangspunktet, men i jungel tilføres så sykt mye ekstra knot. Fascinerende historie fortalt på mange skalaer. Fra internasjonale prosesser til utdrag fra soldaters dagbøker. Og rundt det spesifikke slaget som boken handler om er det mange prosesser som spiller inn. Mangelen på veier i Burma, sultkrise i Bengal, Indisk opprør mot Britisk kolonialisme, kampen om luftrommet i Burma, samt den britiske hærens generelle prioritering av krigføring mot nazistene fremfor japanerne. Forfatteren etablerte disse rammene rundt slaget svært godt. Det eneste jeg savnet fra boka var flere skildringer fra den japanske siden, men dette skyldtes manglel på kilder.
Til slutt må det nevnes hvor sinnsykt britiske britiske soldater er. Gjennom slaget var tedrikking avgjørende for å holde moralen oppe, og utdrag fra dagbøker lyder som følger:
"Dig! For God's sake dig!"
"Those half-witted fools"
Og ikke minst:
"It was utter and complete pandemonium"
Britene har på ingen måte et plettfritt rulleblad i verdenshistorien, men de har sin sjarm.
Kan absolutt anbefale boken, men den er nok for spesielt interesserte.
Takkformeg
Til slutt må det nevnes hvor sinnsykt britiske britiske soldater er. Gjennom slaget var tedrikking avgjørende for å holde moralen oppe, og utdrag fra dagbøker lyder som følger:
"Dig! For God's sake dig!"
"Those half-witted fools"
Og ikke minst:
"It was utter and complete pandemonium"
Britene har på ingen måte et plettfritt rulleblad i verdenshistorien, men de har sin sjarm.
Kan absolutt anbefale boken, men den er nok for spesielt interesserte.
Takkformeg
March 14, 2025
An account of a cut off British and Indian army unit holding out for the first victory over Japanese forces in Burma. It is a heroic story under dreadful circumstances, marred slightly by being confusing which probably comes with the jungle warfare territory.
At the start the author puts in a premptory mea culpa stating there were little or no non British accounts of the battle. Fair enough until I read the authors summary of the Bengal famine where most sources would argue that weather, disenfranchisement and administrative bungling led to the death of millions. In this book the bias is such that this is completely ignored and the British adminstrators are given an almost complete pass. So I was left unsure of how hard the author had tried to bring in different voices undermining at least for me the book. Nonetheless the famine is not really germane to the story which really does not need any further embellishment.
At the start the author puts in a premptory mea culpa stating there were little or no non British accounts of the battle. Fair enough until I read the authors summary of the Bengal famine where most sources would argue that weather, disenfranchisement and administrative bungling led to the death of millions. In this book the bias is such that this is completely ignored and the British adminstrators are given an almost complete pass. So I was left unsure of how hard the author had tried to bring in different voices undermining at least for me the book. Nonetheless the famine is not really germane to the story which really does not need any further embellishment.
January 14, 2025
Good book about a little known battle pitting British and Indian forces against the Japanese, with the former learning that the latter could be beaten in jungle warfare in the Southeast Asian theater. Holland's take is a nicely woven tale that brings in much of the history that illustrates the strategic importance of Burma in the theater, and how it acted as a blocking force preventing the Japanese from adding India to its list of conquests.
With Japan running rampant throughout Southeast Asia, it was only a matter of time before their forces were directed at India ... which would have been a tempting addition to Imperial Japan's empire. But Japan's reach was overextended and it was losing the ability to resupply its forces. The Battle of Admin Box in Burma proved to be Japan's 'bridge too far' as it suffered a defeat that had a far-reaching impact on the course of the war in the theater.
Good book ... reads a bit too much like a simple Order of Battle presentation ... but shines a light on an area that has not been previously explored in detail.
With Japan running rampant throughout Southeast Asia, it was only a matter of time before their forces were directed at India ... which would have been a tempting addition to Imperial Japan's empire. But Japan's reach was overextended and it was losing the ability to resupply its forces. The Battle of Admin Box in Burma proved to be Japan's 'bridge too far' as it suffered a defeat that had a far-reaching impact on the course of the war in the theater.
Good book ... reads a bit too much like a simple Order of Battle presentation ... but shines a light on an area that has not been previously explored in detail.
September 16, 2022
James Holland has done an excellent job here of bringing to life a battle that is almost forgotten but which was actually the major turning point of the war in South East Asia.
His research is meticulous and he manages to explain the bigger picture while at the same time telling the stories of the ordinary Tommies who fought an epic battle under horrendous conditions.
If you're at all interested in the war against the Japanese this is an excellent and highly readable place to start.
His research is meticulous and he manages to explain the bigger picture while at the same time telling the stories of the ordinary Tommies who fought an epic battle under horrendous conditions.
If you're at all interested in the war against the Japanese this is an excellent and highly readable place to start.
April 3, 2025
A fantastic narrative history about a largely forgotten battle in World War Two which the author – not inaccurately, I think – compares to Rorke’s Drift in the stand's desperateness.
My grandfather (who I never met) served in Burma in the war. I don’t think he was involved in this engagement (although, as I say, I never met him and can’t be certain), but the book nevertheless gave me a sense of what he must have gone through, out there, thousands of miles from home in the jungle.
I don’t read a lot of Second World War history, but I will read more James Holland.
My grandfather (who I never met) served in Burma in the war. I don’t think he was involved in this engagement (although, as I say, I never met him and can’t be certain), but the book nevertheless gave me a sense of what he must have gone through, out there, thousands of miles from home in the jungle.
I don’t read a lot of Second World War history, but I will read more James Holland.
August 28, 2016
Another library book but I shall look out for more of his non-fiction. Had read the novel about the RAF chap shot down in Italy and did not care for it much.
There is no doubt that Burma saw some incredible events, action and success but I hope that it has at least begun to shake off the media's obsession with it being "forgotten". Maybe if there had been more movies about it then things would be different in the minds of the vox pop. We all know of the Kwai escapade and the "Burma Road" but where are the epics on TV and cinema comparable to "The Pacific"? After all, there were many nations fighting out there - some on both sides!
This book does the memory of the valiant men (and a few ladies) great credit as well they deserve. You will learn much from his coverage because I know I did. What is a "parajute"? Fascinating.
And it brings to us tales from all ranks though more from "our" side than "theirs" of course. So even though the course of events was to me hard to follow (the maps are as usual right at the front so beware Kindle readers) and I think I would say this about all too many war books you cannot have enough illustrations, maps most of all. The Osprey books are classics in this respect except for the binding - am always scared of breaking the spine when perusing their excellent 3D effect maps all in colour, maybe buy two copies and cut one up?!)
I did have a few niggles here and there about terminology and perhaps over-colourful language such as "deadly cannons" perhaps.
These books inhabit the middle ground between Kessler style action novels (Commando comics sans the drawings) and stodgier learned tomes written for the real die-hards with good eyesight. Nothing wrong with that I suppose because maybe we might pick up this one and then be inspired to check out others.
All in all a worthy book but am not sure I would pay full price for it.
There is no doubt that Burma saw some incredible events, action and success but I hope that it has at least begun to shake off the media's obsession with it being "forgotten". Maybe if there had been more movies about it then things would be different in the minds of the vox pop. We all know of the Kwai escapade and the "Burma Road" but where are the epics on TV and cinema comparable to "The Pacific"? After all, there were many nations fighting out there - some on both sides!
This book does the memory of the valiant men (and a few ladies) great credit as well they deserve. You will learn much from his coverage because I know I did. What is a "parajute"? Fascinating.
And it brings to us tales from all ranks though more from "our" side than "theirs" of course. So even though the course of events was to me hard to follow (the maps are as usual right at the front so beware Kindle readers) and I think I would say this about all too many war books you cannot have enough illustrations, maps most of all. The Osprey books are classics in this respect except for the binding - am always scared of breaking the spine when perusing their excellent 3D effect maps all in colour, maybe buy two copies and cut one up?!)
I did have a few niggles here and there about terminology and perhaps over-colourful language such as "deadly cannons" perhaps.
These books inhabit the middle ground between Kessler style action novels (Commando comics sans the drawings) and stodgier learned tomes written for the real die-hards with good eyesight. Nothing wrong with that I suppose because maybe we might pick up this one and then be inspired to check out others.
All in all a worthy book but am not sure I would pay full price for it.
August 26, 2025
Outlines the circumstances leading up to the Battle of the Admin Box and the manner in which British, American and local forces managed to overcome a battle that was seemingly against them.
Provided insight into conditions in the often overlooked Eastern sphere of WWII.
Provided insight into conditions in the often overlooked Eastern sphere of WWII.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed my first read about the Burma campaign and the admin box, James has done his usual trick of using a great selection of characters to tell the story.
May 8, 2025
Extremely detailed, as his books usually are. This arena of WWII is by far the one I am least familiar with so it was eye-opening all the way through.
May 20, 2020
Interesting history of a now forgotten battle in Burma which changed the face of warfare between the allies and the Japanese in south east Asia during WW2.
The author tells the history in two parts. The first part sets the scene, the situation in global and regional terms, And introduces the characters central to the story. The main character being General Slim, who on taking command of Fourteenth Army, commanded one of the largest allied armies in WW2, at 1.4 million. He also encompasses all arms, principally combining land and air, in such a way that linear advances in Burma were no longer necessary, and troops could be fully supported by air, with Spitfires providing the means for air superiority.
The second part of the book is about the battle, at first confused, but gradually becoming clearly one of inevitable allied victory in the light of their willingness to adapt, for everyone to be capable of fighting, and the Japanese continued inflexibility.
This is not a history of the entire Burma campaign, and is all the better for it.
The author tells the history in two parts. The first part sets the scene, the situation in global and regional terms, And introduces the characters central to the story. The main character being General Slim, who on taking command of Fourteenth Army, commanded one of the largest allied armies in WW2, at 1.4 million. He also encompasses all arms, principally combining land and air, in such a way that linear advances in Burma were no longer necessary, and troops could be fully supported by air, with Spitfires providing the means for air superiority.
The second part of the book is about the battle, at first confused, but gradually becoming clearly one of inevitable allied victory in the light of their willingness to adapt, for everyone to be capable of fighting, and the Japanese continued inflexibility.
This is not a history of the entire Burma campaign, and is all the better for it.
June 18, 2016
In early 1944 a rag tag band of clerks, drivers, animal handlers and medics, supported by a few infantry and a handful of tank crews held off an attack in the Burmese jungle by the cream of Japanese infantry. What became known as the defence of the Admin Box is little known today but in terms of heroism and significance it ranks with the much better known defence of Rorke's Drift in the Anglo-Zulu war. It also marked a turning point of Britain's war in South East Asia.
There's a lot of background at the start but it's important in order to understand the significance of the battle and the changes in command and equipment that contributed to the victory. There are maps at the start which it's useful to refer to when reading, so this is perhaps not the best book to read on Kindle.
Holland provides a vivid day-by-day picture of a battle in which the jungle played just as big a part as either army. Overall a fascinating account of an action that deserves greater recognition.
There's a lot of background at the start but it's important in order to understand the significance of the battle and the changes in command and equipment that contributed to the victory. There are maps at the start which it's useful to refer to when reading, so this is perhaps not the best book to read on Kindle.
Holland provides a vivid day-by-day picture of a battle in which the jungle played just as big a part as either army. Overall a fascinating account of an action that deserves greater recognition.
August 22, 2021
This was fun. Holland does a great job with the first part of the book where he summarizes the situation that led up to the battle. It's a sweeping account that I found incredibly readable.
That said, I found Holland's account of the battle itself a little hard to follow. Even with the aid of the handful of battle maps placed a couple of pages before the preface, the movements of the different platoons and the battalions besieged in the admin box were confusing at best. I, however, suspect that this has little to do with Holland’s writing, and more so to do with the fog of war, the general confusion of what happened back then, and the lack of sources which Holland tries to piece together to form a day-to-day narrative of the battle.
Anyway, it was interesting to read about the huge presence that the M3 Lees commanded in the box, with their 75mms and their thick wad of frontal armour. If only the British had a couple of those in Malaya and Hong Kong in 41'/42’.
That said, I found Holland's account of the battle itself a little hard to follow. Even with the aid of the handful of battle maps placed a couple of pages before the preface, the movements of the different platoons and the battalions besieged in the admin box were confusing at best. I, however, suspect that this has little to do with Holland’s writing, and more so to do with the fog of war, the general confusion of what happened back then, and the lack of sources which Holland tries to piece together to form a day-to-day narrative of the battle.
Anyway, it was interesting to read about the huge presence that the M3 Lees commanded in the box, with their 75mms and their thick wad of frontal armour. If only the British had a couple of those in Malaya and Hong Kong in 41'/42’.
May 13, 2017
A good book reminding us that forgotten jungle battle that occur in Burma in WW2. Unfortunately it describes it almost entirely from the Allied / UK point of view, in terms of texts by the soldiers that fought over there. The maps could have been better developed to provide a clearer picture on several moments of the battle. Still..a good book, recommend for WW2 aficionados
August 20, 2016
Loved every page - riveting tales of the West Yorkshire Regiment's heroism in breaking the myth of Japanese invincibility in the war in the East. In the days when "Tykes" were Tykes! Holland is a great historian who brings the men and women in the pages of his books alive.
August 2, 2020
This is a forgotten theater of World War II. Author James Holland does an excellent job in reclaiming some acclaim. The British had been pushed out of Burma and were mustering in India to ensure that the Japanese did not add it to their conquered territories. The feeling among the soldiers in India was that the Japanese soldier was superman and that the Japanese Army could not be defeated. That feeling changed with the appointment of Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten as the theater Supreme Allied Commander and his selection of General William Slim to command Fourteenth Army. The two combined to change the attitude among the forces and to move to take the fight to the Japanese. They planned to reclaim Burma. Mountbatten improved the relationship and coordination among the forces in theater especially US Army Air Corps and the Royal Air Force. He improved logistics and stressed the importance of what the soldiers were training and fighting for. Slim vastly improved the training of the Fourteenth Army units which were a hodgepodge of British and Indian units. He reorganized the Divisions and rebuilt them. He established a jungle training school and had the units go through the training especially patrolling and jungle fighting which was usually done at closer range than in Africa or Europe. Slim insisted that all soldiers regardless of specialty, cook, clerk, medical, muleteer, motor transported, mechanic or fitter, be taught in the jungle school. Slim was also lucky to have experienced Division commanders many of whom had fought in North Africa of Syria or Iraq. Major General Messervy commanded the 7th Indian Division. He had experience with armor and insisted that medium tanks could be tactically important in Jungle fighting, a theory that few subscribed to. General Slim agreed with General Messervy and the 25th Dragoons with US made Lee tanks were assigned to the XV Corps of the Fourteenth Army. The XV Corps was pushed up to the border and would lead the attack into Burma. The 7th Indian Division was the lead of the Corps. Messervy had reorganized his three Brigades with one British, one Indian and one Gurkha Regiment each. The Division also had one Sikh Regiment. Before the XV Corps could launch its attack, the Japanese 28th Army's 55th Division attacked and isolated and surrounded the brigades of the 7th Indian Division. Although initially victorious, the result was eventually catastrophic for the Japanese forces in Burma! The British forces did not retreat but chose to fight in their isolated positions. Their resolve surprised the Japanese commanders. The British forces fought gallantly and the support from the air forces was superb as was the effort from the counterattacking forces. The battle lasted ten days and the British forces lost some 3,500 casualties, dead and wounded. The 7th Indian Division suffered almost half of that number. The Japanese left 5,000 dead on the battlefield and lost another 2,000 dead in the follow up battle. One Japanese battalion, the 2nd Battalion, 122nd Regiment suffered 90% dead or wounded. Intelligence found on a dead Japanese officer stated that this battalion was down to a strength of three officers and seventy three soldiers. The usual strength of a Japanese Battalion was around nine hundred. The Fourteenth Army, XV Corps and 7th Indian Division succeeded because of excellent training, excellent equipment, strong leadership from both Indian and British officers and Non-Commissioned Officers, improved logistics and strong morale. If you are interested in World War II, this is an outstanding book to read!
March 11, 2024
I really enjoyed this book - well written, lucid and comprehensive with regard to the battle he describes - at least from the point of view of the English soldiers involved.
Mr. Holland's book does great justice to what must have been a miserable battle over an extended period - he conjures up the fear and the stench of the theatre of operations very well indeed and as a result one really begins to understand the extraordinary courage that those involved must of had. Certainly its one of the best books I have read on the challenges, tribulations and struggles of jungle warfare and that includes a raft written on Vietnam.
I also think that Mr. Holland did an excellent job in highlighting the evolution of the 14th Army under Slim. He approached this crucial subject with brevity and clarity with regard to the bigger picture and was then able to weave into the narrative how that effected the situation on the ground, be that around logistics, management of disease, tactics, morale etc. This made the battle very immediate and helped my understanding as to why we must now consider it as one of the crucial encounters of the war.
It is also refreshing to read about successful tactical innovation, be that in the use of combined arms at the same if not a more effective level than seen in the Western and Eastern Fronts, the value of training of men as infantry first and foremost to take into account the fluid nature of battle in Burma and the application of resources at hand, such as the invention of parajutes. All good stuff.
Taken all together, when reading a history such as this it is clear that the changes that Mountbatten, Slim and others wrought from late 1943 onwards were spectacular - was there any other command, on any side, in any other theatre who achieved so much, with so little, while preserving the lives of their men to such an exceptional degree in what can be only described as truly challenging circumstances?
However, I do have three, slightly more circumspect observations - first, yet again the maps provided disappointed; Second it would have been splendid to have heard from Indian, Gurkha and Japanese participants (although the lack of available first hand accounts is hardly Mr. Holland's fault) and third, the book just felt incomplete.
It is this last point which frustrated me most - it would have been terrific if Mr. Holland had "book ended" better by elaborating more on the Grand Strategy of both sides, then taken us through Arabian (as he did so well) and then finished with Imphal and Kohima - as many of the participants Mr. Holland introduced us in Arakan also fought in the later battle there would have been a satisfying sense of continuity.
In short, a great book and it really would have been a pleasure to read more of Mr. Holland's excellent prose on what is a fascinating, critical yet generally poorly researched and recorded campaign.
Mr. Holland's book does great justice to what must have been a miserable battle over an extended period - he conjures up the fear and the stench of the theatre of operations very well indeed and as a result one really begins to understand the extraordinary courage that those involved must of had. Certainly its one of the best books I have read on the challenges, tribulations and struggles of jungle warfare and that includes a raft written on Vietnam.
I also think that Mr. Holland did an excellent job in highlighting the evolution of the 14th Army under Slim. He approached this crucial subject with brevity and clarity with regard to the bigger picture and was then able to weave into the narrative how that effected the situation on the ground, be that around logistics, management of disease, tactics, morale etc. This made the battle very immediate and helped my understanding as to why we must now consider it as one of the crucial encounters of the war.
It is also refreshing to read about successful tactical innovation, be that in the use of combined arms at the same if not a more effective level than seen in the Western and Eastern Fronts, the value of training of men as infantry first and foremost to take into account the fluid nature of battle in Burma and the application of resources at hand, such as the invention of parajutes. All good stuff.
Taken all together, when reading a history such as this it is clear that the changes that Mountbatten, Slim and others wrought from late 1943 onwards were spectacular - was there any other command, on any side, in any other theatre who achieved so much, with so little, while preserving the lives of their men to such an exceptional degree in what can be only described as truly challenging circumstances?
However, I do have three, slightly more circumspect observations - first, yet again the maps provided disappointed; Second it would have been splendid to have heard from Indian, Gurkha and Japanese participants (although the lack of available first hand accounts is hardly Mr. Holland's fault) and third, the book just felt incomplete.
It is this last point which frustrated me most - it would have been terrific if Mr. Holland had "book ended" better by elaborating more on the Grand Strategy of both sides, then taken us through Arabian (as he did so well) and then finished with Imphal and Kohima - as many of the participants Mr. Holland introduced us in Arakan also fought in the later battle there would have been a satisfying sense of continuity.
In short, a great book and it really would have been a pleasure to read more of Mr. Holland's excellent prose on what is a fascinating, critical yet generally poorly researched and recorded campaign.
August 2, 2024
James Holland (https://griffonmerlin.com) is the author of more than 20 books & novels. Burma '44: The Battle That Turned World War II in the East was published last June. It is the 64th book I completed reading in 2024.
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this book as R.
This book is the story of the confrontation between the British Commonwealth forces and the Japanese in Burma (Myanmar). By February 1944, the war was not going well for the Japanese. Despite that, they made another push into western Burma with the hope of penetrating into India. At the same time, British forces were gathering to launch an offensive of their own towards the East.
The two met in the Burma, Arakan area along the western coast. The ensuing battle is known as the Battle of the Admin Box. The British had formed a defensive box near Sinzweya. That city is located close to the border between Burma and India. Up to this point, the British had failed to hold against the Japanese. Their success at Sinzweya was a huge morale boost.
The training instituted by the British, the use of Lee tanks, and the presence of modern Spitfire aircraft all contributed to winning the battle. It became a turning point in the CBI theater, much like El Alamein had been in North Africa.
Holland tells the stories of individuals and units in the steaming jungle of Western Burma. The heroic stand of the Admin Box was a pivotal battle in a mostly forgotten theater of WWII.
I enjoyed the 11 hours I spent reading this 450-page WWII-era history. I have had the opportunity to read two of his other books, BIG WEEK: THE BIGGEST AIR BATTLE OF WORLD WAR II and Normandy '44: D-Day and the Epic 77-Day Battle for France. They were both excellent reads on WWII history. I like his books as they read more like a novel than history. I have also followed his podcast We Have Ways of Making You Talk since its inception in April of 2019. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4.3 (rounded to 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this book as R.
This book is the story of the confrontation between the British Commonwealth forces and the Japanese in Burma (Myanmar). By February 1944, the war was not going well for the Japanese. Despite that, they made another push into western Burma with the hope of penetrating into India. At the same time, British forces were gathering to launch an offensive of their own towards the East.
The two met in the Burma, Arakan area along the western coast. The ensuing battle is known as the Battle of the Admin Box. The British had formed a defensive box near Sinzweya. That city is located close to the border between Burma and India. Up to this point, the British had failed to hold against the Japanese. Their success at Sinzweya was a huge morale boost.
The training instituted by the British, the use of Lee tanks, and the presence of modern Spitfire aircraft all contributed to winning the battle. It became a turning point in the CBI theater, much like El Alamein had been in North Africa.
Holland tells the stories of individuals and units in the steaming jungle of Western Burma. The heroic stand of the Admin Box was a pivotal battle in a mostly forgotten theater of WWII.
I enjoyed the 11 hours I spent reading this 450-page WWII-era history. I have had the opportunity to read two of his other books, BIG WEEK: THE BIGGEST AIR BATTLE OF WORLD WAR II and Normandy '44: D-Day and the Epic 77-Day Battle for France. They were both excellent reads on WWII history. I like his books as they read more like a novel than history. I have also followed his podcast We Have Ways of Making You Talk since its inception in April of 2019. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4.3 (rounded to 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
May 22, 2025
Detailed view of the Battles of Admin Box and Braganza Box from Western memoirs and letters
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2025
Verified Purchase
As usual with most of James Holland’s history’s, you get a wide range of participants letters and excerpts of memoirs. In this book, the subject is one of the most obscure theaters of WWII, the Burma Campaign and the British planned offensive into the Arakan, that was preempted by the Japanese Ha-Go offensive, that was designed as a diversion from their U-Go offensive, not covered here. This specifically covers the land and ground defensive battles of the Admin Box, and Braganza Box. Unfortunately, Mr. Holland only had access to memoirs and letters from British and American participants in the battles.
The British had been badly beaten, as were most Western forces, by the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces and had been suffering a crisis of morale and logistics. The British revamped their training, brought in new and innovative commanders, added new equipment including Lee/Grant medium tanks, Spitfire Mark VIII’s, and resupply by air. The result was a massive change in the fortunes of the combined British/Indian, with some contributions by the United States primarily of air supply.
If there’s any criticism, it’s in the lack of detailed maps, but you can get those from the Ospreys covering this theater.
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2025
Verified Purchase
As usual with most of James Holland’s history’s, you get a wide range of participants letters and excerpts of memoirs. In this book, the subject is one of the most obscure theaters of WWII, the Burma Campaign and the British planned offensive into the Arakan, that was preempted by the Japanese Ha-Go offensive, that was designed as a diversion from their U-Go offensive, not covered here. This specifically covers the land and ground defensive battles of the Admin Box, and Braganza Box. Unfortunately, Mr. Holland only had access to memoirs and letters from British and American participants in the battles.
The British had been badly beaten, as were most Western forces, by the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces and had been suffering a crisis of morale and logistics. The British revamped their training, brought in new and innovative commanders, added new equipment including Lee/Grant medium tanks, Spitfire Mark VIII’s, and resupply by air. The result was a massive change in the fortunes of the combined British/Indian, with some contributions by the United States primarily of air supply.
If there’s any criticism, it’s in the lack of detailed maps, but you can get those from the Ospreys covering this theater.
June 30, 2019
An interesting, detailed and well referenced view into a part of the war which I'd heard very little about if I'm being honest.
Holland does a good job of talking about the (British) Soldiers perspectives and views on the conflict, as well as a little bit of a background on the (British) Commanders and how they gained their positions and the experience they used in the battles.
My use of brackets when saying British isn't trying to make a point though, however nice it would have been to read the perspectives of Gurkha, Indian or even Japanese troops Holland himself addresses this early on explaining that he would have liked to give a more balanced narrative however available sources come predominantly from the British forces. Therefore it feels unfair to hold that against the book in any way.
I'm a big fan of learning about the theatres which were mentioned very little in my school years, I tended to hear a lot about the European Front, Russian Front, Home Front and a little bit about Africa; but had never actually heard anything about the fighting in Asia (other than the Pacific and even that was sparse) so this book was really interesting and I'm so glad it was so well written. Definitely a leaping-off point for me to try and find more to read.
Holland does a good job of talking about the (British) Soldiers perspectives and views on the conflict, as well as a little bit of a background on the (British) Commanders and how they gained their positions and the experience they used in the battles.
My use of brackets when saying British isn't trying to make a point though, however nice it would have been to read the perspectives of Gurkha, Indian or even Japanese troops Holland himself addresses this early on explaining that he would have liked to give a more balanced narrative however available sources come predominantly from the British forces. Therefore it feels unfair to hold that against the book in any way.
I'm a big fan of learning about the theatres which were mentioned very little in my school years, I tended to hear a lot about the European Front, Russian Front, Home Front and a little bit about Africa; but had never actually heard anything about the fighting in Asia (other than the Pacific and even that was sparse) so this book was really interesting and I'm so glad it was so well written. Definitely a leaping-off point for me to try and find more to read.
August 6, 2019
An interesting read from Holland, currently seeking to establish himself as one of the country's foremost WW2 authors. Holland's remit here is to explore a little known conflict - the Battle of the Admin Box - that took place in the dark heart of Burma in 1944, in which overwhelming Japanese forces surrounded a relative handful of cut-off British troops and subjected them to an intense siege. Holland likens the situation to Rorke's Drift.
It's certainly a lively and engaging read in the author's hands. There's a little dryness to it in some respects, a sometimes endless list of equipment, positions and names that don't mean all that much to the reader, and prospective readers should know that the first half of the book is all set-up. However, the environs and characters are brought to vivid life via reminiscences and recollections, and the fierce fighting is well described. What I've liked about this author's fiction is that he has a cinematic quality to his descriptions, and they're present here too, from gruesome ambushes and massacres to quieter, almost surreal moments amid the fighting. This kind of story is a familiar one, but in the author's experienced hands it works a treat.
It's certainly a lively and engaging read in the author's hands. There's a little dryness to it in some respects, a sometimes endless list of equipment, positions and names that don't mean all that much to the reader, and prospective readers should know that the first half of the book is all set-up. However, the environs and characters are brought to vivid life via reminiscences and recollections, and the fierce fighting is well described. What I've liked about this author's fiction is that he has a cinematic quality to his descriptions, and they're present here too, from gruesome ambushes and massacres to quieter, almost surreal moments amid the fighting. This kind of story is a familiar one, but in the author's experienced hands it works a treat.
January 24, 2021
I have no words other than ‘well done’. James Holland has long been unquestionably my favourite historian and historical author. His series on the Second World War, in my opinion, is one of the best series for developing a foundational knowledge of the subject. Whereas other historians will have a habit of being either too specific or too broad when writing about a topic, James Holland suffers from no such defect. Burma ‘44 covers everything you could possibly want to know about the Battles of the Admin Box, Imphal, Kohima, and the wider Burma Campaign, without stretching out too far into other unrelated topics. It’s written with the assumption that the reader may not have an in-depth knowledge of the Burma Campaign, but may understand the general story of the wider Pacific Theatre of WWII. Although anyone can read and enjoy the book, a modest bit of background knowledge certainly allows you to understand some of the nuances, lingo, and key facts and figures reference throughout. Regardless, I would strongly recommend this as starting point for anyone with an interest in the latter half of the Burma Campaign.
February 2, 2025
((3.5 stars))
I picked up this book, knowing almost nothing about the Burmese theater, Mountbatten, and the British army. The book goes into enough geopolitical details, tactical details, all the way down to the plight of the individual soldier, to give you a sense of what it was like to be there.
In 10 words or less: brutal.
The jungle was a terrible place for such a battle. And the Japanese were completely savage, less than human demons. Not for the first time, I wish we had dropped more than two bombs! Using prisoners as human shields, cutting out body parts while still alive, over running hospitals to torture and kill the wounded. The Nazis and the Japanese were quite alike in their torturing and killing mania.
Instructional too to learn that British weapons and tactics, especially using new spitfires and tanks, had evolved, and that of the Japanese had not. They used the same tactics again and again, the same aircraft as a few years ago. Really, when you think about it, their entire world goal was predicated on a swift victory.
I picked up this book, knowing almost nothing about the Burmese theater, Mountbatten, and the British army. The book goes into enough geopolitical details, tactical details, all the way down to the plight of the individual soldier, to give you a sense of what it was like to be there.
In 10 words or less: brutal.
The jungle was a terrible place for such a battle. And the Japanese were completely savage, less than human demons. Not for the first time, I wish we had dropped more than two bombs! Using prisoners as human shields, cutting out body parts while still alive, over running hospitals to torture and kill the wounded. The Nazis and the Japanese were quite alike in their torturing and killing mania.
Instructional too to learn that British weapons and tactics, especially using new spitfires and tanks, had evolved, and that of the Japanese had not. They used the same tactics again and again, the same aircraft as a few years ago. Really, when you think about it, their entire world goal was predicated on a swift victory.
September 22, 2025
An excellent history of a little-known, but significant, battle in the Arakan region of Burma in February, 1944. In sum, a polyglot force of British, Indian, Ghurka forces, were surprised, then surrounded by a larger Japanese force intent on annihilating them and seizing their supplies in anticipation of an invasion of India. To the surprise, this force held out for 2 weeks under repeated assault and bombardment; the Japanese finally forced to retreat once the siege was broken, after suffering severe casualties (as did the defending British force). The Admin Box was a turning point precisely due to the British standing and fighting, as opposed to the history of defeat/retreat in that theatre of war. This was the result of a change in training, tactics and logistics developed, in large part by Gen Wm. Slim as well as Supreme Commander Louis Mountbatten. All this contributed to a grittiness and stoicism displayed by the brave troops and their officers in this battle. After this battle, the tide began to turn in the Allies favor in the "Forgotten War."
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