Burma 1944 - Jan - Dec 44 
 
Following the great success of Operation Buccaneer 
and the seizure of the Andaman Islands and its crucial 
airfield Admiral Mountbatten somehow managed to persuade 
the Joint Chiefs that an exploitation landing in Southern 
Burma (Operation Dracula) was possible in 1943 just as the
Monsoon ended. 

In a spectacular coup de main Gurkha paratroopers of the 44th 
Parachute Division supported by Royal Marine Commandos from 
3rd Commando Brigade supported by elements of the US Pacific 
Fleet (After Admiral King resigned in protest  subsequently 
reinstated) forced their way ashore during the last days of 
the achieving total tactical surprise. 

At great cost the British secured Rangoon harbour and airfield 
intact forcing the Burma Area Army out of Rangoon but not 
defeating the main Japanese forces. 

 
XV Corps under General Christianson landed over the next few 
weeks before the US Fleet withdrew bypassing Akyab  the armour 
and artillery of XV Corps secured the Southern Burmese plain 
until checked by resolute Japanese defence at Sittang Bridge 
and in the North before the air field complex at Toungoo. 
 
General Slim from his HQ in Assam with IV Corps and Stillwells 
NCAC under command has thus far been uninvolved other than 
diversionary activity  however given the peril XV Corps faces 
orders have been issued and with the full support of the 
Hump Airlift 14th Army has crossed the Chindwin and is 
advancing south 

The Generalissimo has released X force to support the operation 
however Y Force has been held back. 


(Designer's note:  Production is 'off' for this scenario) 



