Battle of Yenangyaung
The Japanese 55th Division invaded Burma on the 22nd of December 1941. This aggressive move set the stage for a desperate struggle over oil resources in early 1942. Following the capture of Rangoon in March, Allied forces regrouped in Central Burma to halt the advance. The newly formed Burma Corps included British, Indian, and locally raised Burmese troops under Lieutenant General William Slim. Their mission was to defend the Irrawaddy River valley while Chinese Expeditionary Forces protected the Sittaung River valley to the east. After capturing Singapore and the Dutch East Indies, Japan redirected divisions to reinforce their army in Burma. They also seized trucks to support their operations and launch attacks into Central Burma. One primary objective for these Japanese forces was to seize control of the Yenangyaung oil fields.
On April 15, Lieutenant General Slim ordered the destruction of the oil fields and refinery. This decision came as Japanese forces began to encircle almost 7,000 British soldiers along with 500 prisoners and civilians. An equal number of Japanese soldiers from the IJA 33rd Division surrounded them at Yenangyaung and its oil field. The 33rd Division advanced between Slim's 17th Division at Taungdwingyi and the 1st Burma Division south of Yenangyaung. Fearing that the Burma Corps might become trapped, Slim called upon Sun Liren's Chinese New 38th Division for help. Fires emanated from destroyed equipment and facilities across the battlefield. On several occasions, Japanese roadblocks split the Burma Frontier Force, the 1st Burma Division, the British 7th Armoured Brigade HQ, and the 2nd RTR into three separate forces. Casualties stopped the initial Japanese night attack during a storm on April 10.
General Sun requested to lead his entire division to assist the 1st Burma Division. General Luo Zhuoying, commander of the Chinese Expeditionary Force in Burma, refused this request. Instead, on April 17, General Sun led his 113th Regiment on the mission. This regiment consisted of 1,121 men, with only 800 being combat personnel. Because the Chinese forces lacked artillery or tanks, Lieutenant General Slim assigned the 7th Armoured Brigade to General Sun. Brigadier John Anstice commanded this brigade which included two regiments of M3 Stuart light tanks and a battery of 25-pounder guns. The temperatures reached extreme levels while smoke from demolished oil wells hung over the battlefield. For the next three days, these Chinese forces attacked southwards toward the trapped Allied troops.
The 1st Burma Division fought its way across the Pin Chaung river where they met with the relief column on April 19. On that same day, the Chinese forces attacked southwards toward Yenangyaung and Pin Chaung. The attack caused Japanese casualties but the Allied forces could not keep the oil fields. They had to retreat northward under heavy fire. The newly-arrived 112th Regiment of the New 38th Division covered the retreat by engaging Japanese forces until the following day. It then joined its sister regiment in retreating from the battlefield. The cooperation between Chinese infantry regiments and British M3 Stuart light tanks defined the tactical approach during the three-day assault. Smoke from the demolished oil wells and refineries created a hazy atmosphere over the fighting area.
Historian Louis Allen noted that the British were deprived of a supply port at Rangoon and their source of fuel at Yenangyaung. The question was no longer whether to retreat, but where to go next. The Allied forces could not hold the oil fields after the intense fighting. They retreated to the north while facing continuous pressure from Japanese troops. The 112th Regiment engaged enemy forces until it joined its sister regiment in withdrawing from the battlefield. Fires continued to burn from destroyed equipment and facilities as the Allies pulled back. This final withdrawal marked the end of the battle which lasted from April 16 to 19, 1942. The loss of these strategic resources forced a complete reorganization of Allied defenses in Central Burma.
In 2013, the Monument to the Great Victory of Yenangyaung was erected to commemorate the battle. It was promoted by Liu Weimin, the son of Liu Fangwu who commanded the 113th Regiment. This monument stands as a lasting tribute to the soldiers who fought in this critical engagement. The site serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the Burma Campaign of World War II. Historical records document the specific dates and units involved in the conflict. The battle remains a significant part of military history for both China and Britain. Researchers continue to study the tactical decisions that shaped the outcome of the fighting.
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Common questions
What were the dates of the Battle of Yenangyaung?
The battle lasted from April 16 to 19, 1942. This engagement occurred during World War II in Central Burma.
Who commanded the Chinese forces at the Battle of Yenangyaung?
General Sun Liren led his New 38th Division to assist Allied troops. His 113th Regiment consisted of 1,121 men with only 800 being combat personnel.
Why did Lieutenant General William Slim order the destruction of oil fields?
Lieutenant General Slim ordered the destruction on the 15th of April 1942, because Japanese forces began to encircle almost 7,000 British soldiers along with 500 prisoners and civilians. The decision aimed to prevent these resources from falling into enemy hands.
Which units fought together during the Battle of Yenangyaung?
Chinese infantry regiments cooperated with British M3 Stuart light tanks under Brigadier John Anstice. The 1st Burma Division also engaged alongside the Burma Frontier Force and the 2nd RTR.
When was the Monument to the Great Victory of Yenangyaung erected?
The monument was erected in 2013 to commemorate the battle. It was promoted by Liu Weimin, the son of Liu Fangwu who commanded the 113th Regiment.