Siege of Myitkyina

Siege of Myitkyina
Part of the Second Sino-Japanese War of the Pacific War

A 75-mm pack howitzer supports GALAHAD's siege operations at Myitkyina
Date17 May – 3 August 1944[1]
LocationMyitkyina, Burma
Result Allied victory
Belligerents
 United States
 Republic of China
 Empire of Japan
Commanders and leaders
United States Joseph Stilwell
Republic of China (1912–49) Wei Li-huang
Japan Genzo Mizukami[2]
Strength
Chinese Expeditionary Force
Northern Combat Area Command
Garrison (3,000)
Casualties and losses
Chinese[3]
972 killed
3184 wounded
188 invalid
U.S.
272 killed
955 wounded
980 invalid
790 killed
1180 wounded
187 captured[4]
250pxAdvance to Myitkyina

The siege of Myitkyina was an engagement during the Burma Campaign of WWII. The Allied victory was part of the larger operation of North Burma & Yunnan which succeeded in opening the Ledo Road.

Background

Joseph Stilwell intended to make a rapid march against Myitkyina prophesying it to be a "feat which will live in military history". Merrill's Marauders led the Allied advance.

Siege

Crossing 100 miles of Burmese jungle to capture the airfield outside Myitkyina. The Japanese forces within Myitkyina were seriously underestimated and the Allied advance bogged down into a siege of the city. Though not a true siege, the Japanese were able to receive a small trickle of supplies and reinforcements. British Chindits arrived from the south in an effort to prevent Japanese reinforcements. On August 3, General Genzo Mizukami ordered the town abandoned and took his life in a literal compliance to "defend Myitkyina to the death".[5]

Aftermath

The operation against Myitkyina was particularly hard on the Marauders. Owing to excessive casualties the unit ceased to exist as a fighting force and was therefore disbanded. The Allied victory allowed for the opening of the Ledo Road connecting the old Burma Road with China.

Order of Battle

American-Chinese order of battle[6] Japanese order of battle[7]

NCAC: General Joseph Stilwell

  • New Army: Zhen Dongguo
    • 22nd Division: Liao Yaoxiang
    • 30th Division: Tang Shouzhi
    • 38th Division: Sun Li-Jen
    • 14th Division: Long Tianwu
    • 50th Division:Pan Yukun
  • 1st Tank Division
  • GALAHAD: BG Frank Merrill
    • 5307th Provisional Regiment
  • Chinese Expeditionary Force: Wei Li-huang
    • 11 Army Group: Sung Hsi-lien
      • 2 Army: Wang Ling-yun
      • 6 Army: Huang Chieh
      • 71 Army: Chung Pin
    • 20th Army Group: Liao Yao-hsiang
      • 53 Army: Chou Fu-chen
      • 54 Army: Chueh Han-chien
      • 8 Army: Ho Shao-chou

33rd Japanese Army: General Hondo Masaki

  • 2 Division: Okazaki
  • 18 Division: Tanaka
  • 53 Division: Takeda
  • 56 Division: Matsuyama
  • 24 Independent Mixed Brigade: Hayashi
  • Myitkyina: Genzo Mizukami

References

  1. Jaques, Tony (2007) Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: F-O (p.700)
  2. Jaques, Tony (2007) Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: F-O (p.700)
  3. China-Buma-India Command
  4. China-Buma-India Command
  5. Pacific War Online
  6. Pacific War Online
  7. Pacific War Online

External links