The Arakan Operations 1942-45: Official History of the Indian Armed Forces in the Second World War 1939-45 Campaigns in the Eastern Theatre

The Arakan Operations 1942-45 describes the operations in the coastal belt of Arakan in Burma from 1942-45. After the reverses suffered by the Indian forces in Burma, the issue confronting India was to stem the tide of Japanese advance and retrieve the situation in Burma. At this stage, the Indian Army chose Arakan and Chindwin for conducting operations. The 1944 winter operations in Arakan were aimed at the capture of its coastline to facilitate 14th Army’s advance into Central Burma. It is notable that in these campaigns, Indian, British and African troops fought side by side.

After the end of World War II, the Government of India formed a Historical Division in the Ministry of Defence. This office was tasked to produce History of the Second World War, with special reference to the part played by soldiers of the British Indian Army. Based on the official war diaries, reports and other documents held by the Division, as well as in consultation with a few actual participants.