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Part 16
NORTHERN BURMA OPERATIONS.
32. I had a conference with General Stilwell on the 17th December at which plans for Upper Burma in the early part of 1943 were discussed. General Stilwell was anxious, in spite of the administrative difficulties, to secure as much of northern Burma as possible, in order to cover the construction of a road from Ledo by Myitkyina to Paoshan to join the Burma Road, and also to secure the airfield at Myitkyina. The construction of the Ledo-Myitkyina road had now been undertaken iby the Americans. It was agreed that all preparations should be continued with the object of an advance into Upper Burma from Yunnan (Chinese force), Ledo (Chinese Corps from Ramgarh) and Manipur (British IV Corps), to begin on the 1st March if the progress of road-making and administrative situation permitted.
33. On IV Corps front, 23rd Indian Division had advanced two brigades into the Tamu area in the Kabaw valley, while 17th Indian Division moved forward towards the Chin hills down a new road which was being constructed towards Tiddim. There was some patrol incidents in the Kabaw and Chindwin valleys but no major action.
In northern Burma Kachin levies based on Sumpraibum did some excellent work in harassing Japanese forces north of Myitkyina. In the Hukawng valley a small force of Japanese and rebel Burmans advanced to Shingbwiyang in October but withdrew after bombing attacks by the United States Air Force.
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