Battle of the Admin Box
Sinzweya, near the Ngakyedauk Pass, Arakan (Rakhine), Myanmar
What happened
British and Indian troops of the 7th Indian Division under Major General Frank Messervy and Brigadier Geoffrey Evans fought a Japanese force under Major General Tokutaro Sakurai. In February 1944, Japanese troops slipped behind the British and Indian lines in Burma and overran a divisional headquarters. Instead of retreating, the defenders formed a fortified square, or 'box', around their supply area. Planes dropped food and ammunition by parachute, and the box held until the Japanese ran out of supplies and withdrew.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first time British and Indian troops in Burma held firm against a major Japanese encircling attack and defeated it. The same methods of air supply were used on a much larger scale at Imphal later that year.
What came next
A few weeks later the Japanese launched their offensive against Imphal and Kohima, where the defenders again held out with supplies from the air.
Did you know?
Early in the battle, the defenders found a Japanese officer's papers containing the complete plan of the attack.
Timeline
- 5 February 1944The Japanese offensive in Arakan begins.
- 6-7 February 1944The 7th Indian Division's headquarters is overrun.
- 23 February 1944The Japanese break off the attack.
- March 1944The Battle of Imphal begins.