Military Model Scene

Title: Japanese Conquest of Burma 1942
Author: Tim Moreman
Publisher: Osprey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-4973-1

Campaign 384 from Osprey, The Advance to the Gates of India.. A 96-page soft-cover book by author Tim Moreman and the marvellous artwork which Osprey are so well known for, this time by illustrator Johnny Shumate.
These Campaign series books follow a common format, so following the scene setting of the Introduction there is a Chronology of events, between 8 December 1941 and 20 May 1942. Next, details of the Commanders and their available resources for the Allied units, British, Indian and Burmese, followed by a similar chapter setting out the Japanese Commanders and their forces. All this leads into the main body of the book, detailing the Campaign itself, the retreat of Allied forces, including 2 Chinese Armies, through Burma, back towards the border of India. The Japanese 25th Army was advancing rapidly on Singapore, when their 15th Army opened the offensive into Burma. No great armoured thrusts, this was a campaign dominated by Light Infantry who demonstrated real skill at fighting in the tropical jungles of Burma. There are the accounts of clashes at Moulmein, Sittang Bridge, and the fall of Rangoon. There was more as the Japanese advanced on the Irrawaddy and clashes such as Shwegyin, on the Chindwin River. Everything is rounded off with an assessment of the campaign, which did result in a successful withdrawal of the Allied units, but fighting all the way, back to the border with India itself.
A highpoint of the Japanese military advances in the Far East, and a great deal learnt by Allied forces in what they would face in the coming years to retake the country of Burma, and push back the Japanese invaders. As ever, there are plenty of archive photos throughout the book, along with good clear maps and a number of 3D Battlefield views that help explain the various actions detailed in the book.
Thanks to Osprey for the review copy.

Robin