Tanks in BurmaArmoured Formations & Units

In Burma & N.E. India 1942 – 1945

Burma Study Weekend, York, November 2018By: Rob PALMER, M.A.

Agenda

• Introduction• The Context• 7 Armoured Brigade – First Burma Campaign• The Arakan 1943 • The Battle of the Admin Box• Kohima, Imphal & Nunshigum• 1944 – 45 Campaign including Meiktila• Conclusions

The Second World War

• When did it commence?• For U.K. = 3 September 1939• Only 21 years after end of First World War• Similar narrative to First World War?• May 1940 changed everything – Fall of France• Unexpected – Even by Germany• U.K. decided to fight on – CHURCHILL• Role of Empire (Dominions) crucial – SMUTS

The Far East

• Japan annexed Korea in 1910• Japan with U.K. First World War – Snubbed?• At war with China since July 1937• U.S. Sanctions – Oil• War Inevitable – to gain resources – oil/rubber• 6 December – Invasion convoy sighted off Malaya• Invaded Malaya six hours BEFORE Pearl Harbor• Hong Kong, Philippines, N.E.I., Burma

The State of Things

• India – Third of British Army in India• Indian Army = 21 Cavalry Regiments in 3 Groups • Only armour with R.T.R. companies• Role of Indian Army to reinforce Middle East• No resources for Malaya (Singapore) or Burma• Hong Kong expendable• U.K. not able to fight war against THREE enemies• Bury head in sand – hope it will go away

7th Armoured Brigade

• 7th Queen’s Own Hussars• 2nd Royal Tank Regiment• Equipped with Stuart tanks in Egypt• Sent to Malaya, diverted to Burma• 21 February 1942 – Arrived at Rangoon• 24 February 1942 – Prome to lift seige• 19 – 25 April 1942 – Under Chinese command• 31 May 1942 – Reached India with 1 tank

Stuart Tank – 7th Hussars

7 Armd BdeRoute and Actions in

Burma

The Arakan – 1943

• Advance down Mayu Peninsula• ‘C’ Sqn, 146 Regiment, R.A.C. (D.W.R.)• Captain De COSTA + 2 Troops• 17 miles walk for Recce• 11.00 1 February 1943 – Attack Commenced• Initially good, then three tanks crashed into ditch• Besa fire – Rescue Attempt – Halted• Bodies of nine crew discovered in 1945 (York)

The Valentine tank

The Battle of the Admin Box

• Advance by XV Indian Corps• 25th Dragoons (Lee tanks) as Corps Troops• Japanese counter-attack surrounds 7 Ind Div• 5 – 23 February 1944 – Admin Box• ‘B’ and ‘C’ Sqns – leaguer at night, attack at day• Supported infantry• Tanks so effective, suicide attacks on them

25th Dragoons north of Razabil

Kohima

• 30 March 1944 – ‘C’ Sqn 150th Regt R.A.C. to Imphal by air – tanks by land – road cut

• 11 April 1944 – Lt. WAIT + 5 Lee tanks up road• 18 April 1944 – 149th Regt, R.A.C. to Kohima• ‘B’ Sqn – Major Ezra RHODES• 28 April – Attempt to get up to D.C’s Bungalow• 6 May – Lee tank slid off ridge down slope• 13 May – Tennis Court – Sjt WATERHOUSE

Memorial at Kohima

Imphal & Nunshigum

• 3rd Carabiniers (Lee tanks) – Imphal• 30 March 1944 – ‘C’ Sqn 150th Regt R.A.C. to

Imphal by air – tanks by land – road cut• Lots of actions but…. Nunshigum• 13 April – ‘B’ Sqn supporting 1st Bn. 17th Dogras• Hill over 1,000 feet above plain. Two troops • Major SANFORD, Lts NEALE & FITZHERBERT, Sqn

Q.M. Sjt BRANSTON, Sjt DOE & Cpl HUBBARD• Sqn Sjt-Major CRADDOCK led final attack

Nunshigum & Imphal

Looking North to Twin Bumps

The Pimple or Northern Bump

The Highest Tank on Kennedy Peak

Extended Capital - Meiktila

The Masterstroke• 17 Indian Division & 255 Indian Armoured

Brigade crossed the Irrawaddy River and struck out for the garrison town of Meiktila

• 23 February – Armoured Column at Taungtha• 2 March – Airfield captured• Aggressive defence by armoured columns• 30 March – Japanese defeated – To Rangoon!

Sherman Tanks advancing on Meiktila

Which is Faster?

XV Indian Corps - Arakan

• 50 Indian Tank Brigade• Limited use, Squadrons only• Ramree Island• Myebon Peninsula & Kangaw• Taungup• Lt. Archie GWATKIN and Lt. John SKINNER

The M3 General Lee

Operating Practices

• Tanks used in small units – Squadrons• Intention to support infantry• All force (ground + air) battle groups – effective• Role of Forward Tank Officer (F.T.O.)• Role of the 4th Bombay Grenadiers• Japanese counter-measures not effective• Reliant on individual bravery by soldiers• MESSERVY was proved right

The GWATKIN Brothers

Proud Father & Two Sons

Conclusions

• Armour played a significant role in the campaigns fought in Burma and N. E. India

• Role is often neglected, not understood• New techniques developed• All arms battlegroups • Role of R.E., I.E.M.E., R.I.A.S.C., I.A.O.C., etc

also overlooked, but without them….?• There is more to the Second World War than

Dunkirk, D-Day, Arnhem & Bomber Command

www.BritishMilitaryHistory.co.uk

Rob Palmer

Thank you!