How many British soldiers served in Burma?
British Empire forces peaked at around 1,000,000 land and air forces, and were drawn primarily from British India, with British Army forces (equivalent to eight regular infantry divisions and six tank regiments), 100,000 East and West African colonial troops, and smaller numbers of land and air forces from several …
Did the Chindits fight in Burma?
The Chindits were British empire troops who carried out guerrilla-style operations in Burma during the Second World War. The force was made up mostly of the British Indian Army and the Gurkhas. It also included Burmese soldiers who had escaped Japanese occupation.
Who fought in the Burma campaign?
The Burma campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily by British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of Imperial Japan, who were assisted to some degree by Thailand, the Burmese National Army and the Indian National Army.
How long were British troops in Burma?
Allied troops endured over three years of brutal fighting, often in extreme terrain and menaced by severe weather and the threat of disease. Allied troops, led by Britain’s Indian Army, reoccupied Burma in 1945.
Why did the British occupy Burma?
In the early 1800s, the British government, motivated by profit and security, marched into the Southeast Asian nation of Burma, also known today as Myanmar. A Buddhist country rich in natural resources, Burma was an expansionist power that bordered India, one of Great Britain’s most prized colonies.
How did soldiers get the Burma Star?
The award of a gallantry medal or Mention in Dispatches qualified the recipient for the award of the Burma Star, regardless of service duration. Those whose qualifying service period was terminated prematurely by their death or disability due to service were awarded this Star.
What did the British want from Burma?