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The article, “Pacific Theatre Part 12a: Extra Limey Edition,” by Lestrade aka Unpopular Opinion, published on December 31, 2022, critiques the historical narrative of the Burma campaign during World War 2. The author argues that the campaign, unlike more prominently featured Pacific battles like Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal, is poorly documented and based on a “shaggy dog story” with a lack of supporting evidence, akin to low-budget fan-fiction.
The narrative of the Burma campaign, according to the author, is presented as a series of illogical events, starting with the Japanese invasion of Thailand with minimal resistance, followed by the British abandonment of Burma to retreat into India. The author questions the official explanations, such as the British being occupied in North Africa, and suggests a deliberate fabrication of events. Key points of contention include:
- Thailand’s role: The quick acquiescence of Thailand to the Japanese invasion, with a staged “five-hour war” to save face, is highlighted as suspicious.
- British inaction: The British military’s failure to implement planned defenses like Operation Matador and Operation Krohcol is presented as evidence of deliberate inaction.
- Japanese advance: The author disputes the ease and speed of the Japanese advance, particularly the lack of naval action and the focus on infantry movements, and questions the staging of events like the Sittang Bridge Disaster.
- Alleged photo manipulation: The author claims numerous historical photographs from the Burma campaign, particularly those depicting bombings in Rangoon, are obvious “paste-ups” and fabrications.
- Rangoon’s fall and recapture: The capture of Rangoon by the Japanese and its later recapture by the Allies are presented as events that occurred with surprisingly little direct combat in the cities themselves.
- Stalemate and the Stilwell Road: The author questions the two-year stalemate in the campaign and criticizes General Joseph Stilwell’s focus on building the Stilwell Road over retaking Rangoon.
- Chinese leadership and alleged corruption: The author delves into the background of Chiang Kai-Shek, Soong Mei-ling, and Charlie Soong, suggesting they were western-trained assets and that significant US aid to China was potentially diverted to the black market or personal enrichment, rather than the war effort. The author also questions the origins and motivations of Sun Yat-sen.
- Flying Tigers and Claire Lee Chennault: Suspicion is cast on the Flying Tigers and their commander, Claire Lee Chennault, suggesting the majority of US aid went to American personnel in China for personal gain.
- Indian Ocean Raid and Sri Lanka: The Japanese attack on Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) and the subsequent naval engagements are questioned, with the author claiming staged photos and fabricated accounts of ship sinkings, such as the HMS Cornwall.
- Subhas Chandra Bose and Andaman Islands: A brief diversion explores the controversial figure of Subhas Chandra Bose, his alleged collaborations, and the Japanese occupation of the Andaman Islands.
- Chittagong and Imphal: The author points to a lack of evidence for significant conflict in places like Chittagong and questions the low casualty figures for such a supposedly key front-line city.
- Orde Wingate: The article sets up the next installment by mentioning the need for a military genius like Orde Wingate to train jungle special forces.
The author’s overarching thesis is that the Burma campaign, like much of the Pacific theatre, was heavily embellished or fabricated to serve a particular narrative, driven by “normalcy bias, civil compliance and the vast typist pool of military intelligence.”