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 Date 17 May – 3 August 1944[1] Location Myitkyina, Burma Result Allied victory Belligerents  Republic of China  United States  Empire of Japan Commanders and leaders Wei Li-huang Joseph Stilwell 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]

Advance 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]

Chinese and American troops of the Northern Combat Area Command: General Joseph Stilwell New 1st 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: General 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

• Stilwell's Command Problems
• Final Victories