The Japanese and the British Commonwealth armies at war, 1941-45

"This book focuses on the British Commonwealth armies serving in SE Asia during the Second World War that, following the disastrous Malayan and Burma campaigns, had to hurriedly re-train, re-equip and re-organise their demoralised troops to fight a conventional jungle war against the Imperial Japanese Army. A range of formidable problems faced British forces in conducting operations across inaccessible, rugged and jungle-covered mountains on the borders of Burma. After a faltering start, however, they successfully adapted to the exigencies of conventional jungle warfare and later inflicted shattering defeats on the Japanese. This study traces how the military effectiveness of British and Indian troops in SE Asia was so dramatically transformed, with particular attention to the two key factors of tactical doctrine and specialised training in jungle warfare. It closely examines how lessons were learnt and passed on between the British, Indian and Australian armies."--BOOK JACKET.