129 - Slim in Burma - Innovation, Air Power and Special Forces
How did Field Marshall Slim innovate in the Burma Campaign? This is a look at military innovation through necessity that developed key capabilities for the 14th Army to defeat the Japanese forces in the Burma theatre.
We discuss:
Slim's innovation overcame critical resource shortages in Burma.
Developed aerial resupply, air evacuation, and improvised naval logistics.
Used teakwood barges to cross rivers with tanks.
Created monsoon-proof airfields with hessian and tar.
Strong advocate of Special Forces—mobilized Force 136 and Karen levies.
Outmanoeuvred Japanese by leveraging terrain and logistics.
Fought against Generals Aida, Mutaguchi, and Kimura.
Trained the Indian Army in combined arms warfare.
Built floating bridges across vast rivers like the Chindwin.
Crossing the Irrawaddy.
Led with humility and authenticity, known to Indian troops as “Uncle Bill.”
This interview is the third part of a 3-part series with Dr Robert Lyman, the expert on the Burma Campaign and Field Marshall Sir William Slim.
Check out the show notes for all of the information that we cover in this episode as well as the images and other details that didn't make it into the podcast.
