|
The British Twelfth Army was formed on May 28, 1945 to take control of operations in Burma from the Fourteenth Army, which was being withdrawn to plan for Operation Zipper, the planned invasion of Malaya by amphibious assualt, which was due to take place in August 1945.
Twelfth Army took over one of the main combat formations of Fourteenth Army; IV Corps. IV Corps had 5th, 17th and 19th Indian Divisions and 255th Tank Brigade under its command. Twelfth Army also assumed direct command of 7th and 20th Divisions, along with 22nd Brigade. Static formations under its control included 505 District and South Burma District.
There were still Japanese formations in Burma at this time, with IV Corps having the responsibility for driving them out of the remainder of the country. The Japanese tried to break out from the Allied armies closing in on them, and although suffering heavy casualties, did succeed in rescuing many of their formations.
After the war, Twelfth Army continued in existence until 1 November, when it was redesignated Burma Command.
|
