During WWII, did Britain actually fight Japan at all?

Question

During WWII, did Britain actually fight Japan at all?

Answer 1

Yes, the British Empire was one of the major players in the Pacific War. In Japan's offensives during 1941-1942 many of the countries attacked were British colonies. Britain led most of the Allied campaigns in Southeast Asia, a theater of war stretching roughly from India to Indonesia. Most of the manpower came from India, but they were led by British army officers, equipped by the British military, etc. These campaigns definitely took a back seat to the bloodier and more significant combat in China and the Pacific Islands.

Answer 2

Yes,especially on the island of Rangoon.

Answer 3

Absolutely.

1.  The largest surrender of British troops in their history took place at Singapore and Malaysia.

2.  The Brits had the battleship/cruisers Repulse and Prince of Wales (the first major capital ships sunk while at sea by aircraft)

3.  The battles of Kohima and Impal (India/Burma) were major ones with significant casualties on both sides.  Kohima is sometimes referred to as the "Stalingrad of the East."

4.  The Chindits led by Orde Wingate were an outstanding story and had the second largest airborne drop during the war (Europe or Asia).  They fought in North Burma.

Answer 4

YES!

War with Japan officially broke out when the Japanese attacked the US fleet at Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941. Within 7 hours Japanese forces attacked again, this time in Malaya, part of the British Empire, taking Empire forces totally by surprise. In a 9 week campaign Japanese forces fought their way through Malaya.

By early February they were ready to attack the vital British naval base at Singapore. Although the defenders outnumbered the Japanese attackers they had few aircraft and their troops were inexperienced. Singapore fell on February 15th 1942 and around 130 000 British, Australian and Indian troops became Japanese prisoners of war. Around 1 in 3 of the captives died.

From here the next focus of the fighting was Burma.

The Japanese were keen to try and cut the Burma Road. This was the supply line from India to China which Britain and the USA were using to supply Chinese forces who were still fighting the Japanese.

From January to May 1942 British Empire forces, mostly Indian troops, fought a harsh and costly campaign, gradually retreating to the borders of India in May 1942.

The year 1942 saw an effective stalemate. The British mounted a campaign at Arakan but it was unsuccessful and British commander General Slim was unable to force the Japanese out of Burma. Other campaigns in the war took priority in terms of troops and resources.

Early in 1943 Brigadier Orde Wingate led his Chindits (mostly Indian and Gurkha troops) in attacks behind enemy lines. The Chindits suffered heavy losses but they did show that British forces could match the Japanese in jungle warfare

By late 1943 and early 1944 the tide of the war was beginning to turn. Slims forces began to get the troops and equipment they needed, especially aircraft. Early in 1944 there was a second Chindit expedition. However, the main clash of the year came in March-April as Japanese and mainly Indian forces fought for control of Kohima and Imphal. After much hard fighting the Japanese suffered decisive defeats, with around 55 000 casualties.

From this point on, the campaign became a steady drive to push the Japanese out of Burma. They fought ferociously, but by March 1945 the Allies recaptured Mandalay. They reached Rangoon in May 1945. Fighting continued in the area until July-August 1945. It was the longest single campaign fought by British Empire troops. Around 120 000 Africans, 2.5 million Indians and many thousands of British, Australian and New Zealand troops took part, as well as US forces.

Answer 5

Very much so, especially in Malaya, Burma and India.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_M...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_S...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_H...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma_campa...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_I...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinking_of_...

Answer 6

Yes they did, the battles of Imphal and Kohima are two of the more famous ones that the British fought against the Japanese, and thousands died and and suffered in Japanese POW camps, and plenty men earned the Burma star alright!

Answer 7

Yes indeed.  In Burma, for example, and at Singapore, as well.  There was also naval combat between the two countries.  Burma was the primary British campaign of the Asian war, however.  British-Domonion (or Commonwealth) forces were quite active in the Pacific, though.  Australian (and presumably New Zealand) troops fought on New Guinnea, in Burma, and took part in Naval operations around Guadalcanal.

Answer 8

Yes Burma Malaysia even china