| In a staged propaganda photo, Imperial Japanese Army soldiers, probably of the Imperial Japanese Army 55th Division, are greeted by Burmese civilians at Martaban (Mottama today). Martaban was being bombed and shelled daily after Moulmein fell on January 31, 1942. Radio contact with the Commonwealth garrison, consisting of 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment, Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles and D Company, 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Light Infantry, was sporadic. On February 9, the Japanese infiltrated across the Thanlyin River and established a roadblock 8 miles (13 kilometers) north of Martaban. Repeated attacks failed to dislodge them. On February 10, Japanese artillery and aircraft pounded Martaban, and some 2,600 Japanese troops were reported to have crossed the river and infiltrated into the swamps and mud flats. The Division Commander requested permission to withdraw, and it was denied. Over the course of the day on February 11, pressure built on Commonwealth forces in Martaban. Japanese forces entered the town while the Gurkhas held open exits for Allied forces to withdraw. The imperiled Martaban garrison, despite a lack of radio communication with divisional command, abandoned Martaban. The Gurkhas succeeded in opening a way through Thebyugon and thence across country to Thaton on February 12. The Imperial Japanese Army 55th Division had fought in the campaign from start to finish under General Hiroshi Takeuchi (September 17, 1889 – July 18, 1952). Lieutenant General Shōjirō Iida (August 8, 1888 – January 23, 1980), commanding the 15th Army, thought the division to be too slow in its advance and lacking in aggression; it received no congratulations for what it had done in the early stages of the invasion of Burma, when success against poorly organised opposition was considered not to have been followed up quickly enough. General Takauchi retired in 1943. With Martaban in Japanese hands, they controlled the Salween estuary and could land troops at will. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1506.jpg |
| Image Size | 614.82 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2048 x 1490 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | Imperial Japanese Army |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | February 15, 1942 |
| Location | |
| City | Martaban |
| State or Province | Tanintharyi |
| Country | Burma |
| Archive | |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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