Battle of Meiktila and Mandalay

Battle of Central Burma
Part of the Burma campaign, the South-East Asian theatre of World War II and the Pacific Theater of World War II

Sherman tanks and trucks of 63rd Motorised Brigade advancing from Nyaungyu to Meiktila, March 1945
DateJanuary–March 1945
Location
Central Burma
Result Allied victory
Belligerents

 United Kingdom

 United States

 Japan

(Indian National Army)
Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom William Slim Empire of Japan Heitarō Kimura
Casualties and losses
2,307 killed
15,888 wounded and missing[1]
6,513 killed
6,299 wounded and missing[1]

The concurrent Battle of Meiktila and Battle of Mandalay were decisive engagements near the end of the Burma campaign during World War II. Collectively, they are sometimes referred to as the Battle of Central Burma. Despite logistical difficulties, the Allies were able to deploy large armoured and mechanised forces in Central Burma, and also possessed air supremacy. Most of the Japanese forces in Burma were destroyed during the battles, allowing the Allies to later recapture the capital, Rangoon, and reoccupy most of the country with little organised opposition.

  1. ^ a b Allen (1984), p.638