Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

List of Maps and Tables

List of Abbreviations

Glossary

Introduction

Maps

Chapter 1

The Indian Army before the Far Eastern War

Introduction

Recruitment and Expansion of the Indian Army

Combat Experience and Modernization of the Indian Army

Conclusion

Chapter 2

Fall of Hong Kong: 8 December–26 December 1941

Pre-war British Hong Kong

The Commonwealth Forces and its Opponent

The Battle

Conclusion

Chapter 3

Disaster in Malaya: 8 December 1941–31 January 1942

Commonwealth and Japanese Forces in Malaya

Japanese Advance and Commonwealth Retreat

Reasons behind the Commonwealth Military Failure

Conclusion

Chapter 4

The Siege of Singapore: 4 February–15 February 1942

Introduction

Organization of the Defence

Retreat from the Beaches

Assessment

Conclusion

Chapter 5

Collapse in Sarawak and Borneo: 16 December 1941–3 April 1942

Introduction

Defensive Preparations

The Invasion

Conclusion

Chapter 6

Retreat from Burma: 11 December 1941–20 May 1942

Commonwealth Units in Burma and their Japanese Opponent before the Invasion

The Long Retreat

Assessment

Conclusion

Chapter 7

Reorganizing and Retraining the Indian Army: May 1942–February 1944

Lessons of Defeat

Training Infrastructure in India

External Influence

Hardware and Transportation

Organization for Victory

Conclusion

Chapter 8

Jungle War in the Arakan: 1942–1945

Introduction

Defeat in the Arakan: February 1942–16 October 1942

The First Arakan Offensive

Stalemate

HA GO Operation

Japanese Retreat in the Arakan

Conclusion

Chapter 9

Imphal and Kohima: March–July 1944

Introduction

Training, Equipment and Force Structure

Japanese Defeat in Imphal and Kohima: March–July 1944

Assessment

Conclusion

Chapter 10

Endgame in Burma: August 1944–15 August 1945

Introduction

Combat Effectiveness of the British and Indian Armies

Planning and Deployments of the Commonwealth and Japanese Armies

Mandalay-Meiktila and the Race for Rangoon

Assessment

Conclusion

Conclusion

Bibliography

Subject Index

Military Units Index