The Burma Road: The Epic Story of the China-Burma-India Theater in World War II

Beautifully researched and written and covers the CBI (China-Burma-India) theater thoroughly. I am particularly interested in this theater of operation because both my mother and father served in China during WWII and I have heard so many stories about the characters featured in the book. I am so pleased the book included photos from that period. Special kudos to the author. Some history writers are dull and rather plodding. Not so here. A wonderful book.

The China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater tends to get overlooked in histories of WWII because it was a "sideshow" theater and it was overshadowed by the wars in Europe and in the Pacific. Leaders such as Eisenhower, Montgomery, Bradley, Patton, MacArthur, and Nimitz are well known; "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell and "Uncle Bill" Slim, who led the fight in the CBI Theater, are known to few, although their exploits and leadership equaled that of their more well known contemporaries. In "The Burma Road" Donovan Webster corrects that oversight, particularly in the case of Stilwell, who is the subject of much of the book. "The Burma Road" is well written, well researched, and very readable, and leaves the reader with a much better appreciation for what Stilwell accomplished in the worst terrain in the world for combat. Stilwell literally led from the front, and overcame tremendous odds, strong self-centered "political" leaders like Chiang Kai-shek (who was only concerned about what personally benefited him), and superiors who knew little about the terrain or challenges in the CBI, to lead the Allies to victory over the Japanese in that theater. If you read one book about this little-know theater and its often-overlooked Allied commanders, read "The Burma Road."

First I thought this book was on Burma road and the difficulties associated with its building by the American engineers. Then taking a closer look I realized this was a full-blown operational account of CBI ( China,Burma,India) theater of war.The book is mostly on operations executed by the American general Stilwell-led Chinese X Force that opened supply line to China cut by the Japanese forces when they captured Lashio during the opening phase of war in Burma. However before that could happen northern Burma had to be liberated from Japanese control.Though well-written the author, however, has glossed over a few things which could have given more substance to his narrative. Firstly, on the Japanese invasion of Burma the author failed to provide strategic background to the campaign. It began with Japan’s war in China becoming interminable. Japanese forces conquered large chunks of Chinese territory . But failed in inflicting a knock-out blow. Tokyo felt this was because the Chinese Nationalist forces were continuing to get supplies via French Indo China and Lashio in Burma . If these supply routes were cut the Chinese resistance would cease. This thinking underpinned Japan’s decision to occupy French Indo china and BurmaThe Briton Harold Alexander was considered a lucky general. Why was this so?There are no reference to it in the book. Alexander arrived in Burma to replace Thomas J.Hutton as the new GOC of the British forces. Immediately upon his arrival he realized the campain in Burma was lost. Therfore decided to ignore his superior’s orders and withdraw. While engaged he narrowly escaped capture by Japanese patrols. So what happened?Here the Japanese misjudged on account of failure by their battle field intelligence the British were withdrawing towards Rangoon; outcome of defeat inflicted near Sittang river bridge where 17th division was routed. Actually, the British were moving north. The Japanese commander Sakurai decided to trap the British forces by bringing his forces astride latter’s presumed path of retreat in a wide outflanking maneuver. The former narrowly missed coming in contact with British units that now crossed the path after Japanese had gone. The road was unbarred and the British escaped. What was significant the gap widened as the days went by with the British moving northwards and Japanese pressing towards the south.The Burma campaign was a disaster for the Allies. Some war historians have claimed that it was not a retreat but a rout. Nevertheless, the Allied forces escaped annhilation. This would not have happened had the Japanese employed their airpower effectively. It’s worth recalling by 1941, March 27 the Japanese enjoyed absolute air supremacy. Yet their airforces failed to harass,impede the withdrawal of Allied forces to an extent necessary which would have ensured its destruction by their ground troops.This was on account of two factors. Firstly, the air units were commanded by the senior officers of the Imperial Army who lacked experience. Secondly, instead of attacking enemy troop concentrations and military the planes bombed cities in central and northern Burma causing heavy civilian casualties.While Stilwell-led Chinese forces were busy fighting the Japanese in northern Burma came came the latter’s invasion of india.Here again author’s narrative is incomplete. He focusses too much attention on Kohima battle while ignoring equally important fought in the south near Imphal.The Japanese invasion came along multiple axes: south,southeast,northeast of the city. Among the three the thrust that came along the northeastern axis was perhaps the most dangerous. The British never expected a move from this direction. Consequently this sector was lightly defended.General Mutaguchi’s battle plan was brilliant. He correctly judged that the assault from the south and the southeastern axes would distract,divert British attention leaving Imphal’s defenses denuded. Unfortunately for the Japanese their crack 15th division ran smack on to an Indian parachute brigade at Sangshak. The paratroopers could not check the Japanese advance but managed to delay it sending the alarm bells ringing. The delay imposed gave sufficent time for the British to shore up Imphal’s defenses. This was done by bringing troops which were airlifted from the Arakan sector. The units of the 5th Indian division immediately went into action after deplaning from airfields near Imphal. The city was saved.Despite the above omissions I don’t mind giving 4 stars for the book. The book has filled a big void in my understanding of CBI Theater of war. Generally, this is an ignored,neglected theater of war. All major histories on World War II do mention it albeit perfunctorily. This attitude has changed of late. The book is a manifestation such a changed mindset. Northern Burma saw some epic battles: Shadzup,Kamaing,Nhpum Ga,Myitkina. Of these most memorable was 13-day siege Nhpum GaFinally, the author has enlivened his narrative by sharing personal experiences traveling northeast India, Burma,Yunnan prov China while researching for the book. This too is appreciated.

This is a wonderful book for people interested in World War II history. It gives detailed information about our involvement in the CBI, the China Burma India Theater of war where we were attempting to help the Chinese repel Japanese invaders. General Joseph Stilwell was given a job to do but not the authority he needed. He was aware of the corruption in the Chinese government and did what he could to combat it. However, he also had to cope with the English Lord Louis Mountbatten, a real prima donna. Chiang Kai Shek, the Chinese leader and general, had General Stilwell recalled and relieved of his command. He had the power to do this because we were afraid he would make a seperate peace with the Japanese and we would then be at war with China as well as the Japanese. The U.S. and allies did not rank the CBI as high as they did the war in the Pacific and Europe so that General Stilwell was always short of supplies and much needed troops. He did a magnificient job with what he had and in spite of the Chinese he was attempting to rescue from the Japanese. With all of the infighting among top military brass, it is amazing that the Allies won the war. This is basically a history of our American General Joseph Stilwell and his tour of duty in the CBI. He was a soldier's soldier and admired and respected by the troops who called him "Vinegar Joe." I don't know if a movie was ever made of the CBI and General Stilwell. A fascinating British officer was Lt. General Orde Wingate who headed a Special Forces group called Chindits who operated behind Japanese lines. General Wingate died in a plane crash in Burma in 1944. The plane was American and the 9 crew members, all American, also died. They were originally buried on the mountain in Burma but in 1950 all the remains, including those of General Wingate, were interred in our Arlington National Cemetery in a common grave, Section 12, No. 288. His life, and that of General Stilwell, would make a fascinating movie but I don't know who could portray them. It would require a John Wayne type and Hollywood today does not seem to have that super masculine actor.

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