The Battle of Prome was a battle during the
Japanese conquest of Burma. China's
Generalissimo
''Generalissimo'' ( ) is a military rank of the highest degree, superior to field marshal and other five-star ranks in the states where they are used.
Usage
The word (), an Italian term, is the absolute superlative of ('general') thus me ...
,
Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek (31 October 1887 – 5 April 1975), also known as Chiang Chung-cheng and Jiang Jieshi, was a Chinese Nationalist politician, revolutionary, and military leader who served as the leader of the Republic of China (ROC) from 1928 ...
, believed "As long as the British hold Prome, we hold Toungoo."
Background
Japan invaded Burma in December 1941. First, the city of
Tavoy's airfield was bombed by the Japanese. Shortly afterward, the Japanese invaded
Victoria's Point, and slowly started to build up forces. On 14 January 1942, Japanese forces advanced into Burma.
After the
loss at Toungoo, the remaining allies split the land up, and each defended their own city. The
British Raj
The British Raj (; from Hindi ''rāj'': kingdom, realm, state, or empire) was the rule of the British Crown on the Indian subcontinent;
*
* it is also called Crown rule in India,
*
*
*
*
or Direct rule in India,
* Quote: "Mill, who was himsel ...
and
British Burma got Prome, while Chinese forces went to the nearby Shwedaung.
The battle
After a victory at
Shwedaung, the Japanese started firing at Prome on the night of 30 March. Despite British forces inflicting significant casualties, they withdrew to
Allanmyo
Aunglan (formerly known as Allanmyo & Myede) is the biggest city in Thayet District of the Magway Region of Myanmar. It is a port on the left (eastern) bank of the Irrawaddy, across and just north of Thayetmyo, between the cities of Pyay (Prom ...
on 2 April.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Prome 1942
Battles of World War II involving Japan
Prome
Pyay (, ; mnw, ပြန် , ; also known as Prome and Pyè) is principal town of Pyay Township in the Bago Region in Myanmar. Pyay is located on the bank of the Irrawaddy River, north-west of Yangon. It is an important trade center for the Aye ...
Military history of Burma during World War II
March 1942 events
April 1942 events
1942 in Burma