Siege of Myitkyina
Joseph Stilwell intended to make a rapid march against Myitkyina, prophesying it to be a feat which will live in military history. He wanted to take the town for the nearby airstrip, strategically vital to the campaign as it would be an invaluable source of supplies and aerial support. The China-Burma-India Theater was known for notoriously difficult jungle fighting that hampered all movements. Sun Li-Jen served as the second commander of the Chinese New 1st Army, one of the best units within the National Revolutionary Army. This unit had changed their equipment from old caps into US-supplied M1 helmets. They exchanged bolt-action Type Zhongzheng rifles for newer American and British weaponry. Artillery and air support finally arrived from US and British forces. These resources gave them a distinct advantage over malnourished Japanese forces with low morale.
The US and British played a relatively minor role during the battle, although they also had active combat units such as the famed Merrill's Marauders. General Joseph Stilwell gave the Chinese 22nd Division orders to advance against bridges held by the Japanese on March 15. After two months of fighting, Myitkyina was now in reach. With the arrival of the rainy season, incessant rain did not stop until May 17. On that day at 10:00 p.m., the Chinese Expeditionary Force launched an attack with the US Army's Merrill's Marauders against the Japanese airstrip. The assault was supported by artillery fire. Eight Japanese planes were quickly destroyed as the battle escalated. The Japanese were caught by surprise and poured gasoline onto the airfield to disable it before retreating into Myitkyina proper.
The Chinese and Americans quickly overran the field relatively intact after the initial chaos. U.S. Army Air Forces and Royal Air Force C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft moved the Chinese 89th Regiment of the 30th Division to the battlefield. This move supplemented exhausted CEF and Marauder units already present at Myitkyina. Some Chinese units attacked the town itself but the attack was soon called off. Two Chinese battalions mistakenly engaged each other in a fierce firefight during confusion and excitement. Two other battalions moved in and repeated the mistake. A stalemate ensued throughout June while the capture of Mogaung began the end for the Japanese garrison.
A stalemate ensued throughout June, but the capture of Mogaung by British Chindits under Mike Calvert later that month marked the beginning of the end. Supply lines cut led to infighting between two local Japanese commanders over their orders regarding defense of the town. Stilwell had demanded that the Chindits join them but they were whittled down by disease and combat. Stilwell nevertheless was reinforced by elements of Francis Festing's 36th Division from the 15th of July at Myitkyina airfield. On hearing of weakening Japanese garrison, Stillwell sent that division not to take Myitkyina but to advance on Railway Corridor from Mogaung towards Indaw on right flank of NCAC.
On July 26, American 3rd Battalion of Marauders made significant gain by capturing northern airfield at Myitkyina. Over next week Japanese resistance was noticeably weaker. The operations against Myitkyina were particularly hard on Chinese Expeditionary Force due to hard fighting, lack of supplies, difficult terrain, and disease. Owing to excessive casualties, unit effectively ceased to exist as fighting force and was therefore disbanded. Long-awaited taking of Myitkyina and its airfield allowed for opening of Ledo Road connecting old Burma Road with China. Chinese forces' casualties were highest among all battles during Chinese-intervention of Burma Campaign.
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Common questions
Who commanded the Chinese New 1st Army during the Siege of Myitkyina?
Sun Li-Jen served as the second commander of the Chinese New 1st Army. This unit was one of the best within the National Revolutionary Army and received US-supplied M1 helmets to replace old caps.
When did the Chinese Expeditionary Force attack the Japanese airstrip at Myitkyina?
The Chinese Expeditionary Force launched an attack with the US Army's Merrill's Marauders against the Japanese airstrip on May 17 at 10:00 p.m. The assault was supported by artillery fire which quickly destroyed eight Japanese planes.
What happened to the Chinese units that mistakenly engaged each other during the battle?
Two Chinese battalions mistakenly engaged each other in a fierce firefight during confusion, and two other battalions moved in and repeated the mistake. A stalemate ensued throughout June while the capture of Mogaung began the end for the Japanese garrison.
Why were supply lines cut leading to infighting between Japanese commanders?
Supply lines were cut after the British Chindits under Mike Calvert captured Mogaung later that month. This event marked the beginning of the end for the Japanese garrison and led to infighting over their orders regarding defense of the town.
How many Japanese planes were destroyed during the initial assault on the airfield?
Eight Japanese planes were quickly destroyed as the battle escalated following the launch of the attack on May 17. The Japanese poured gasoline onto the airfield to disable it before retreating into Myitkyina proper.