About this episode
This episode explores the challenges faced by Allied forces in Burma during World War II and the critical role of intelligence and deception in their campaign.
July 2025 By late 1944, the tide had turned against the Japanese in south-east Asia, with the repulse of their attempted invasion of India. However, the multi-national Allied forces in Burma still faced enormous challenges if they were to retain the initiative, and push the enemy out of the country. Every mile travelled from their supply bases, across barely-navigable expanses of jungle and mountain, exposed Allied troops to greater difficulties and risk of starvation and destruction. It was a struggle against the terrain and a race against time to liberate Burma before the arrival of the monsoon. In this struggle, intelligence and deception were essential weapons in the Allied arsenal. In this It Happened Here episode, Head of Audiences and Programmes Vicki Pipe is joined by Research Officer Dr Thomas Cheetham to explore the 1945 battles for Burma and the race to Rangoon which formed the climax of Britain’s war against Japan. This episode features Veteran’s Eric Rhodes, Roy Buckmaster and Dennis Underwood, from our Oral History archive. Our thanks go to Owen Moogan and Dr Ben Thompson for voicing our historical documents. Image: Oil painting of General William Slim, 1st Viscount…
People in this episode
Host: Vicki Pipe
Guest: Dr Thomas Cheetham
Topics covered
- World War II
- Burma Campaign
- Allied Forces
- Military Strategy
- Intelligence and Deception
Keywords
- Blitzkrieg
- Burma
- Allied forces
- World War II
- military history
- intelligence
- deception
- Rangoon
- monsoon
- Oral History
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Bletchley Park
Books & works: Oil painting of General William Slim, 1st Viscount Slim
Places: Burma, India
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