Following the disastrous Allied retreat from Burma in April 1942, and closure of the Burma Road, Chiang Kai-shek and the nationalist Chinese had become isolated from resupply save for the dangerous air route for US transports over the Himalayas, known as 'Going over the Hump.' Reopening land communication with China became a key Allied priority, as did the elimination of the strategically significant Japanese fighter base at Myitkyina. In late 1943, Lieutenant-General Joseph W. Stilwell began a land operation to retake northern Burma. As the campaign stretched into 1944, Stilwell's Allied forces (including the newly formed Merrill's Marauders, and later the Chindits) gradually closed in on Myitkyina, where a protracted siege would see Japanese soldiers of the 18th Division resisting fiercely to the last man.

Includes maps of: Eastern India States, Burma and Yunnan Province in Southwest China; Japanese Advance through Burma, JAN-MAY 1942; Operations U-Go and Thursday, MAR-JUN 1944; Stalemate at Yupbang Ga, OCT 1943-JAN 1944; Allied Advance in the Hukawng Valley and Marauder Assault on Walawbum; Drive across the Jambu Bum to Attack the IJA 18th Division; Advance to Myitkyina across the Kumon Range, 28 APR-17 MAY 1944; Capture of Mogaung by Calvert's Chindits, 2-26 JUN 1944; Assault on Myitkyina, 18 MAY-3 AUG 1944.

Origins of the campaign: the Japanese occupation of Burma. The Allies in Burma-- Chronology -- Opposing commanders: Japanese commanders. Allied commanders -- Opposing forces: Japanese forces. Allied forces. Orders of battle -- Opposing plans: Japanese plans. Allied plans -- The campaign: Down the Hukawng Valley. Advance to Walawbum. Into the Mogaung Valley. The Capture of Myitkyina airfield. 77th Brigade at Mogaung. The Battle and Siege of Myitkyina -- Aftermath.