Chapter Eight
The photos in this chapter show armour of the British 14th Army in Burma after the jungle breakout in the last years of the war. Fighting spilled out onto the plains and created the need for the whole force to be retrained at British-run battle schools in India after years fighting in the confines of jungle. They reached the open ground after a long fight to regain the territory they had lost in the earlier retreat from the Japanese in Spring of 1942. The primary objective after Stillwell’s Chinese Force and Alexander’s troops had been so forcefully routed was to stop a Japanese invasion of India. Combat in the Far East had been raging since the war’s declaration.
The Shermans used in Burma were few in the mid-war period but grew toward the last year of combat. Often arriving directly from America they came equipped in American standard interiors and only minor interior modification took place. Photos In this chapter even demonstrate British crews wearing American style fibre tank helmets possibly due to the better crew intercom connection achieved through them or due to the intense heat. Externally the tanks were fitted with a myriad of framework designs to dissuade Japanese magnetic mines, and to provide additional stowage potential on the hull of the tank for crew personal kit or to fasten camouflage scrim upon.
First action in the Far East however, occurred in the Pacific with the US Marine Corps at Tarawa Island in November of 1943, although I have been unable to illustrate this occurrence in the current publication. Photography from the Pacific campaign is of course abundant and demonstrates the Sherman being used in infantry support and as a mobile artillery platform as it was in parts of Italy and in Germany toward the end of the war in Europe. From the end of 1943 the Sherman was present throughout the USMC’s Island Hopping campaign although rarely fought tank against tank due to inadequate and diminished operational capability of the Japanese armoured forces. No US Armoured divisions were deployed to the Pacific but specialized Sherman equipped Tank Battalions were created to support the infantry. The enemy in the Philippines posed little threat with armoured opposition however anti-tank weapons and fearless magnetic mine carrying Japanese soldiers posed a major threat. Photographs from the island-hopping operations show a range of improvised protection created by crews including basic planks of wood attached to any flat surface of the tank, to more vigorously protected versions with hundreds of nails banged through the wood in an effort to detract borders!
Returning to the Burma campaign the background to these photographs was the story of a long and arduous struggle over difficult terrain and coping with extremes of the climatic scales ranging from monsoon to drought. By mid-war and well into Sherman full production a new assault was planned to capitalize on success. The coastal Arakan district of Burma was pinpointed for assault, at the same time Wingate’s experimental Chindit Operations were also authorised. At the Quebec Conference of 1943 plans were approved envisaging a counter-offensive against Japan which might have overburdened the C-In-C in India and SEAC (South East Asia Command) was established with Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten in Supreme Command. His HQ was relocated to Kandy in Ceylon during April of 1944. His, and SEAC’s main objectives was the reconquest of Burma and the opening of land communication lines with China. It was decided land operations might be undertaken in support of Stillwell’s project, which were intended to open the road between Ledo and that part of Burma remaining in Chinese hands. Stillwell had to oversee the construction of the road using with Chinese troops, trained and equipped in India after the withdrawal from Burma. They were also assisted by US specialised troops and native levies. The 3rd Indian Division was also retrained as an airborne force under Wingate’s direction and was planned to land on or near the Mandalay Railway.
In order to maintain pressure on the Japanese, operations in Arakan were to be resumed, Manipur based troops were to improve communications to the Chindwin Valley and also operate across the river. Both these operations were to be carried out by 14th Army men under General WJ Slim, composed of the 15th Corps in Arakan, the 3rd Corps in Manipur and the 33rd Corps held back in reserve. The dry season opened in January of 1944 and defeat of the Japanese in the Arakan soon followed. By March, the Manipur front took the focus, recce patrols probed the Chindwin valley discovering that the enemy were advancing in great strength. The 4th Corps required urgent offensive power to contain the Japanese so the 5th Division was flown immediately to the area. The danger to the railway at Dimapur matured when the Japanese sent a lightly armoured column through very rough country to strike at the main road beyond the reach of the Imphal Force. They found themselves blocked by a strong force. By the end of April 1944 the garrison at Kohima had been relieved but the Japanese stubbornly clung on. Only after major fighting took place was contact re-established with Imphal in the middle of June. The Monsoon was by then in full blast again- howling winds, deluge of rainfall but General Slim wanted the offensive pressed home. It was the enemy that wilted under the climatic conditions. Three Japanese Divisions thrust forward toward Dimapur, but without adequate supply and communications lines and were defeated.
October brought the new dry season and Slim’s offensive really gained momentum, expelling the enemy without mercy from strongpoints at Tiddim, Kennedy Peak and Fort White. Two months later bridgeheads were established across the Chindwin River. The 14th Army were ready to link with the Northern Force in an advance jointly on Mandalay. In the north General Stillwell had extended the Ledo Road 50 miles across the frontier covered by Chinese troops.
Opposition was again encountered this time from the Japanese 18th Division in the Mukaung Valley but support arrived in the form of Wingate’s 3rd Division which was landed in the Katha Region although it was during this time that Wingate himself was killed in an air-crash. A two pronged assault under Stillwell’s guidance pressed ahead, the main force fighting at Kamaing just short of Mogaung. A Chindit column comprising South Staffordshires, Lancashire Fusiliers and Gurkhas captured Kamaing on 26 June. Stillwell had now gained a firm footing in the dry region of Northern Burma by early July. At Mogaung he had captured the main Japanese northern supply depot, without supplies in the jungle defeat was only a matter of time. He had also captured valuable airfields for Allied re-supply use. His main body, bolstered by the 36th Division began to advance along the Mandalay Railway, while his Chinese troops were sent to take Bhamo. Bhamo was the head of navigation on the Irrawaddy River, this was also significantly the start point of the road which linked Burma to China. In December a foothold in Bhamo had been won and another Chinese column had crossed the Irrawaddy between Bhamo and Katha. By 10 December Katha fell. Ahead, lay the open country in which tanks could operate freely and air strips were plentiful. The fate of the Imperial Japanese Army was sealed.
The M4A4 tank, carrying its own camouflage bundle and Infantry team move forward on the battlefield in the far east IWM SE 1227
Camouflaged and firing a group of Shermans send over shells. IWM SEU 1228
The Myebon Landing of January, 1945. This photograph was taken by Sgt Titmus as Shermans move forward on open plains acting on demand from the infantry who met strong opposition IWM SE 2188
11 January 1945. 3 Commando and M4 or M4A4 armoured support embark toward the Myebon Peninsular from Akyab Island. The original caption described these Sherman tanks as dealing ‘ponderous blows to the already demoralised Japanese.’ IWM SE 2301
62 Motorised Bde advance on a road between Myaungyu on the Irrawaddy Bridgehead and Meiktila. IWM SE 3071
The Probyn’s Horse of the 14th Army attack Kaing on the route to Meiktila. The Probyn’s Horse had a long military tradition originated during the Indian Mutiny when Sir John Lawrence, the Chief Commissioner of the Punjab ordered two regiments of Sikh irregular cavalry to be raised. In 1860 Major Dighton Probyn VC became commanding officer of one of these regiments, uniformed and trained these experienced horsemen and the regiment became known as Probyn’s Horse thereafter. IWM SE 3073
Photographed by Sgt R Stubbs (AFPU), Infantry and Shermans of the 17th Division move roll on toward Meiktila in a revenge powered lightning advance in memory of their stand on the Imphal-Kohima Road in 1944, and their fighting withdrawal from Burma earlier in the war. Here men of the 6/7 Rajput Rifles use the Sherman hull as cover. Smoke from a burning village obscures the field. 23 February 1945 IWM SE 3094 & IWM SE 3095
Men from 6/7 Rajput Rifles return from a search of wooded country around Meiktila and climb aboard Shermans of The Probyn’s Horse. A good view is provided of the BC-1362 Interphone Box for tank-infantry communication. IWM SE 3099
Sherman at the Irrawaddy Bridgehead river crossing. Elsewhere men of the Norfolk Regiment and 18th Field Regiment, RA in Priests were laying down a barrage to cover. IWM SE 3167
Fighting in Mandalay narrows to one strongly held Japanese fortress at the civic and governmental centre of the city and the full force of the allied 19th Division. Troops move through the suburbs of the town and the mopping up begins in the ruins. Here Grant tanks, in far more frequent numbers in Burma than the Sherman and infantry close inwards to where the enemy stills holds out. IWM SE 3297
Sherman crossing on a company issue ‘Scissors Bridge’ which could be carried on a tank and utilised local boats to cross small rivers. Here it easily takes the weight of a tank. IWM SE 3424
Fighting on southwards the tank crews that came from the Middle East to continue the fight in the Far East. Battle taxi – ferried up to the front on the engine deck of a Sherman. IWM SE 3486
‘Cairngorm’ – Sherman of the Gordon Highlanders
Cpl Wilson lubricating track wheels with a grease gun to keep Cairngorm, his tank, in fighting condition. This series of photographs from 15 March 1945 taken by Sgt Stubbs (AFPU) details the daily grind of an all-Scots tank crew. The series features Captain J M Weir, of Glasgow the Tank and Squadron Commander, Sgt B Smith of Lanarkshire who was Co-driver and Troop Sergeant, Cpl L Wilson of Roxburgh who was driver, Cpl J Picken of Aberdeen who was Radio Operator and Tpr A Morrison of Aberdeenshire who was Gunner. The set of photographs was taken when Cairngorm formed part of the armoured advance from Taungtha to Meiktila which was captured on 3 March. They belong to 116 Royal Armoured Corps Regiment (Gordon Highlanders.) IWM SE 3506
Bombing up – Sgt Smith hands a 75mm round to Cpl Wilson. Trooper Morrison is in the turret as Cpl Picken handles machine gun ammunition for the bow mounted weapon. IWM SE 3507
Cpl Picken and Tpr Morrison (left) cleaning the barrel rifling of grease, dirt, dust and debris. IWM SE 3509
The Squadron Commander now briefs his crew, (l to r) Wilson, Picken, Morrison, and Weir. Also Sgt Smith and Captain B T Smith of the Orkney Islands listen in. Note spare track pins neatly stored IWM SE 3511
On the Taungtha Road a Sherman is photographed against typical Burmese back drop of Pagoda IWM SE 3513.
Wearing US tank crew helmets Sgt Smith and Cpl Wilson (right) throw open the hatches for fresh air after a fierce engagement with the Japanese. Captain Picken surveys the aftermath of battle from the turret. IWM SE 3515
Tpr Morrison emerges from the turret to suck in some deep breathes of air after the tank had been involved in a four hour battle in the area around the Pagoda. The Japanese were dug in using concealed positions everywhere but were forced to retreat after a fierce exchange of Cairngorm’s 75mm ammunition. Note Commander’s turret ring detail, casting marks, part numbers. IWM SE 3516
There is never an end to the fighting day, but the crew of Cairngorm find some time to stop for dinner after the battle and attempt to relax for the evening before being called into action again. IWM SE 3518
Repairing Battle-Damaged Shermans in Burma
Keeping Shermans in action around Taungtha are men of the Royal Electrical Mechanichal Engineers and I.E.M.E (Indian.) Here they are photographed in March 1945 at 5th Indian Division Tank Workshops. Final adjustments are made to a multibank engine, after its donor tank took a direct hit from a 105mm shell. This engine has been completely rebuilt and is positioned for refitting into a new vehicle. IWM SE 3617
Electrical welding of appliqué armour plates over driver and co-driver’s positions on another vehicle which has suffered battle damage but which can be returned to action after this work order has been carried out. Note the rough edges of field applied additional armour plate. IWM SE 3618
Removing the 75mm gun from a Sherman at the workshops of 5th Indian Division Workshops at Taungtha. Work will be completed at maximum speed and effort to return the tank to action just as soon as it is ready. IWM SE 3621
New T62 track sections being adjusted, note defining three rivet heads on each track block, and the curved nature of the steel track cuff. This is L/Cpl Watson, 116 RAC Regiment (Gordon Highlanders) at work in the 5th Indian Division Workshop. IWM SE 3626
An elephant liberated from the Japanese who had themselves captured it and put it to work, races a Sherman in friendly rivalry. Two giants of the battlefield with much the same concept behind both. The native crew on top of the elephant shouted across that their weapon was cheaper to run and much more lovable! The Sherman Crew shouted back that they weren’t arguing, but they felt a lot safer inside their tank! The elephant went on to devour the crew’s supply of army biscuits shortly after the photograph was posed. (March, 1945) IWM SE 3640
The crew themselves often had to repair track damage and breakage. Here they prepare new T54E1 Track, denoted by angular edges to the fabricated steel cuffs on each track block, for fitting to another Sherman of 116 R.A.C Regiment, Gordon Highlanders in the Meiktila area. (l to r) Sgt. Crawley of Lanarkshire, Cpl Adams of Aberdeen, Tpr Craik of Berwick-On-Tweed and Tpr Milne of Aberdeen. IWM SE 3697
Operation DRACULA, the amphibious attack begun on the muddy plains of a river beach head south of Rangoon. 14th Army were coming from the south around Meiktila and were intent on meeting up with their colleagues moving up from the south. Armor pushing ahead in these shots. IWM SE 3936
Infantry and Shermans move forward watched by a Bren team. No. 2 has a spare barrel tied over his back on the right, as the field is sprayed with Japanese sniper fire. IWM SE 3942
1 May 1945 and the war in the Far East is slowly coming to its close. Pegu, a vital road and rail junction some fifty miles north of Rangoon, was liberated in May, 14th Army troops engulfed the area in their sweep southward to the coast. Here Sherman tanks roll on past the blazing outskirts of Pegu IWM SE 3956