ABSTRACT
The British remained complacent about the defence of the eastern frontier because it was amenable to pressure from the British navy. In 1886, the whole of Myanmar was conquered. To ward off any possibility of penetration by the French from Indochina, they accepted Siam as a buffer state. In 1937, London took over Myanmar from the Government of India.
During the Second World War, the Americans and the British were engaged in helping China with provisions in the ongoing Sino-Japanese War and were using Myanmar as a land-bridge. In May 1942, Japan conquered Myanmar. At this time, the British were deeply involved in wars in Europe and the Middle East, and were facing a virtual revolt against their rule in India. But their determination to re-conquer Myanmar did not falter.
In 1943, Japan invited Subhas Chandra Bose to lead a force against the British. He organised the Indian National Army which, along with the Japanese army, crossed the eastern border of India. It reached the outskirts of Kohima and Imphal. Some of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War were fought on the arch from Assam to Singapore. But, in view of the untenable military position, in July 1944, the Japanese decided to retreat and the British established themselves over the eastern frontier.
