Laager Time CBI (id:#67251)

(ASL Action Pack #20 Oktoberfest XXXIX ID: AP217)   [next]   [previous]

Maingkwan, Burma 1944-03-03 (2 others)

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Overview:

The joint Chinese-American 1st Provisional Tank Group was a historically obscure formation raised in the waning days of 1943 to fight in the China-Burma-India Theater. Although mostly formed of Chinese soldiers, they were granted an American advisory contingent of over 200 men to train over 1,800 Chinese. All of the Chinese officers were trained and educated in the United States. Most of the Americans came from the 527th Ordnance Company (Heavy Maintenance, Tank). They were originally armed and trained with light M3A3 tanks which fared poorly against Japanese anti-tank weapons. Communication difficulties hindered training, with crews sometimes going into battle with little more than a basic grasp of how to operate their vehicles, let alone an understanding of proper armor tactics. Operating along the Ledo Road in Burma, they built and maintained the road while campaigning deep into the country. As they approached the vital town of Myitkyina, they made their first serious contact with the Japanese. That night, after travelling 20 miles through dense jungle behind bulldozers, and without proper reconnaissance, they were ambushed by the Japanese.

Defender: American/Chinese (1st Provisional Tank Battalion)  

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