Why do they do it?

Question

There was an old black and white WW2 film on telly about a n American Unit fighting the Japanese in Burma. At the end of the film you were told that this unit was dibanded just after the japanese surrender in Burma and how this unit was congratulated by the American President. The point is that the Americans never fought in Burma. It was the British troops who kicked the Japs out. The nearest American units fighting the japs were in the Phillipines. Why do they have to give us all this bull.

Why do people on here have to resort to name calling to answer a question. Very childish!

Answer 1

American contribution to Burmis in WW2.

The RAF were aided by a number of USAAF units from the Tenth and Fourteenth air forces. The American Volunteer Group (AVG) known as "Flying Tigers" were in the theatre before the war and the unit formed the core of the Fourteenth Air Force.

"Flying Tigers"
In April, 1937, Claire L. Chennault, then a captain in the United States Army Air Corps, retired from active duty and accepted an offer form Madame Chiang Kai-shek for a three month mission to China to make a confidential survey of the Chinese Air Force. At that time China and Japan were on the verge of war and the fledgling Chinese Air Force was beset by internal problems and torn between American and Italian influence. Madame Chiang Kai-shek took over leadership of the Aeronautical Commission in order to reorganize the Chinese Air Force. This was the beginning of Chennault's stay in China which did not terminate until 1945 at the close of World War II. Chennault's combat and other experiences between 1937 and 1941 in China are another story, but it was these experiences together with the knowledge he attained of combat tactics and the operations of Japanese Air Force over China that laid the ground work for the organization of the American Volunteer Group in 1941.

Two other notable units were the No. 490 Bomb Squadron USAAF nicknamed the "Burma Bridge Busters", (part of the 341 Bomb Group USAAF which also included the 11th, 22nd and 491st Bomb Squadrons) and 1st Air Commando Group which was created to support the Chindits. When the Chindit operation ended, the 1st Air Commando Group, renamed the 1st Air Commando Force, stayed to support other units of the British Fourteenth Army.

The strategic need to keep open the supply routes to China dictated the Burma campaign. After the loss of the Burma Road, the British wanted to supply China via the Hump until they could recapture it. The American General Joseph Stilwell thought it better to build a new road through north Burma to link up with the Burma Road close to the Chinese border. He prevailed and this influenced the conduct of the campaign. So that the Ledo Road could be built, he attacked the Japanese northern front with Merrill's Marauders, the Chindits and Chinese troops along the route of the new road. They cleared north Burma after heavy jungle fighting and the prolonged siege of Myitkyina.

The American contribution was also vital to the logistics in the theatre. The USAAF provided roughly half the air transport units deployed in Burma, and almost all the aircraft flown by RAF transport squadrons. Specialist American railroad units using imported American and Canadian locomotives increased the tonnage carried by the Northeast Indian Railways to three times their peacetime level.

Thy do they do it because the US was there.

Answer 2

American units did fight in the Burma theater.

General Joseph Stilwell commanded the Northern Combat Area Command.

His command included Chinese divisions and Merrill's Marauders ( which the American 75th Ranger Regiment traces it's roots to)

The 10th and 14th US Air Forces were also in the Burma Theater. The provided roughly half the air transport units deployed in Burma, and almost all the aircraft flown by RAF transport squadrons.

Seems like Military history, isn't your strong suit.

Answer 3

Silly Boy!!!!

Just shows how misinformed you are, the Americans were in Burma, they were known as "Merrill's Marauders", who followed the Chindits into the jungle in 1943.

Most of the Air Drops to Orde Wingates, Chindits was supplied by the American Airforce as well.

Beside the British, there were Gurkas, Indians, Australians, and New Zealand military in Burma, none of whon would thank a tow-rag like you calling them British or for the fact you are so ignorant of the fact they were there as well.

Answer 4

The 5307th Composite Unit, known as Merrill's Marauders, was an American long-range penetration special forces unit that fought in Burma to help open the Burma road.

P.S.
The funny thing is that in the movie you refer to, Operation Burma, the American commander was played by an Australian, Errol Flynn.

Answer 5

Sorry to disappoint you guys.They were probably referring to America's Merrill's Marauders that attacked the Japanese northern front in Burma..Also half the transport missions were flown by the then Army Air Corp.

Answer 6

Sorry to dump on your version of history,but Americans did fight in Burma,in the air and on the ground.

Answer 7

You and many of the posters here need to learn some history before answering the question instead of popping off with what you 'think' you know.

Answer 8

It was an old movieand as such fictionand for the entertainment of the audience. No one uses this as an official reference for facts of history.

Answer 9

your research is incomplete! Read about the flying tigers and the defense of Burma.

Answer 10

The war didn't start until 1942 did it, or did it?

The US never came into WW1 until 1917 yet according to them they won it. That is after the British had killed almost a million Germans.

Hollywood is a disgraceful propaganda tool of the US Govt.

Even English film makers would involve US actors in their films so they would sell in the US and they were always the heroes of the hour and they always got the girl.

Hollywood war films are a a load of rubbish really.

The most accurate were some English films and some US films of the Pacific war.