Burma '44

The Battle That Turned World War II in the East

By: James Holland

Narrated by: Al Murray

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Celebrated historian of World War II James Holland chronicles the astonishing Allied victory at the Battle of the Admin Box in Burma (now Myanmar), a turning point of the war in the Far East.

In February 1944, in one of the most astonishing battles of World War II, a ragtag collection of British clerks, drivers, doctors, muleteers, and other base troops, stiffened by a few dogged Yorkshiremen and a handful of tank crews, managed to defeat a much larger and sophisticated contingent of some of the finest infantry in the Japanese army on their march toward India.

What became known as the Battle of the Admin Box, fought among the paddy fields and jungle of Northern Arakan over a 15-day period, turned the battle for Burma. Not only was it the first decisive victory for Allied troops against the Japanese, more significantly, it demonstrated how the Japanese could be defeated. Lessons learned in this otherwise insignificant corner of the Far East set up the campaign in Burma that would follow, as General William Slim’s Fourteenth Army finally turned the tide of the war in the East.

In Burma ’44, acclaimed World War II historian James Holland offers a dramatic tale of victory against incredible odds. As momentous as the Battle of the Bulge 10 months later, the Admin Box was a triumph of human grit and heroism and remains one of the most significant yet underappreciated conflicts of the entire war. In Holland’s hands, it is finally given its proper place in the history of World War II.

©2016 Griffon Merlin Ltd. Recorded by arrangement with Atlantic Monthly Press, an imprint of Grove Atlantic, Inc. (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Terrific Narratives

This was a terrific narrative of forgotten battle in a forgotten war. Would have been nice to have more details of TO&E. When author says anti-air and anti-tank guns joined artillery to repel attack, would be nice to know what they were, how many, how'd they get there, was it local initiative or were they ordered to fire. What ammo used, AT doesn't seem very effective, but AA could be very useful. Also lack of maps made it difficult to envision tactical situation. It was a worthwhile resd/listen if for no other reason than the dearth of information on the subject. Narration was very good.

Burma 1944 forgotten front of World War II

Great book on the forgotten front of World War II Burma 1944. Good information and insight about Burma during World War II.

Very good use of narrative while still having all the historical "factage" I wanted.

I really liked the way the author included the historical, social, and cultural context that this battle occurred in.

The forgotten army? No one ever knew you were there lol

Holland is one of my favorite authors and he has done another spectacular book. Al Murray has always entertained with his ability to weave a narrative that is entertaining and riveting to listen to

Engaging WWII History

For those that enjoy World War II history, this book is going to be a treat. Burma was a true turning point in the war, and without a victory here, things could have turned out much differently.

As the allies and American troops begin taking on the Japanese army, they know they are up against some of the best trained soldiers in the world. Japan began training their young men early, and as they matured, each was molded into one of the highest trained soldiers, ones who would not back down, and would fight to the death.

Get a deeper look into the battle of Burma, and the struggle that these brave soldiers undertook, turning the side of the war, and bringing the allied forces a step closer to victory.

What a great read! I really enjoyed this one, and learned quite a bit that I didn't know. I look forward to reading this one again, and notating some significant areas. Fantastically written, and will keep you riveted throughout.

Personal Stories

What I enjoyed was how the author used personal stories that told the how the battle unfolded.

Gripping!!

An intensely gripping account of the forgotten campaign in Burma in the year 1944. This book gives you a "boots on the ground" account of the intense fighting in the jungles of Burma and the battles against nature and brutal Imperial Japanese soldiers as British and Indian forces fight for they're lives to defeat them. Very well read and to the point. Read or listen to this book!!

Fills in gaps

This book fills in a good gap on what occurred in Burma, a forgotten area of World War II. Well researched, as most of Mr. Holland‘s books are the courage and outstanding fighting abilities of the Allied troops involved in this battle were well documented. I could have done without the last chapter involving the conversation between Mr. Holland and the narrator, but it did not detract from the overall excellence of this book.

Forgotten Army gets the credit it deserves

Great overview of an oft overlooked campaign in the most inhospitable terrain. Quality as always from James holland

good summary

Narrator was in a hurry to get to the end. many commas were orphaned in the reading of this story. the story itself was very brief, a tiny paet of a bigger war. That part was well done.