Image: An RAF Hawker Hurricane flies alongside Ava Bridge, Burma, during a low-level reconnaissance sortie, March 1945. Public Domain Image.
We are grateful to one of our longstanding Vice Presidents, Major General Sir Laurence New CB CBE for the following article, to reflect on the Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) on 15 August. Sir Laurence has been Patron and President of the Burma Star Association Branch on the Isle of Man since 1985.
By Major General Sir Laurence New CB CBE
As we commemorate the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day on 15 August this year, we remember the defeat of a heinous evil, perpetrated by a nation state. The Japanese set out to engulf their neighbours, in order to eliminate the weaknesses in their own infrastructure and lack of natural resources, thereby permitting their own expansion. Their Armed Forces were physically brave and trained never to surrender; a combination rendering them very difficult to defeat. Moreover, the Japanese at the time despised any opponents who did surrender, treating them with extreme brutality. Initially British and Commonwealth servicemen were thrown into inhuman captivity from which few survived, but then the fightback began in Burma and under extraordinarily harsh conditions.
Their Armed Forces were physically brave and trained never to surrender; a combination rendering them very difficult to defeat.
The Japanese ground forces seemed unbeatable but their reputation of invincibility slowly became the myth that it was. Good leadership, enormous courage and the advent of air supply enabled the British and Commonwealth Forces in the Far East, dubbed the ‘Forgotten Army’, to engage the Japanese, halt their advance into British India, drive them out of Burma and defeat them.
Image: The WWII Burma Star Medal created and awarded by the British Government c. 1945. Public Domain Image.
Subsequently the American Armed Forces also fought courageously and at great cost to reclaim the many islands, drawing ever closer to mainland Japan until their eventual surrender.
As Christians we can learn much from the Forgotten Army’s legacy.
As Christians we can learn much from the Forgotten Army’s legacy. They drew renewed strength, self-confidence and courage from a great leader who they came to trust as ‘Uncle’ Bill (at the time General William Slim).
Image: Bombardier James Fenton at the Isle of Man’s Burma Star Memorial in a previous year.
Despite what appeared to be an unbeatable enemy, Slim’s leadership instilled the belief to overcome the horrors of the hellish jungle and the mythical supremacy in their Japanese enemy. Today, we too face an evil enemy who can often appear to be invincible, but we have a leader in whom we can place complete trust, who promises us victory, no matter the cost and by faith alone:
‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’
This year the Isle of Man’s VJ Day Memorial Service is being held on Sunday 10 August at the Island’s Burma Star Memorial. Alongside Sir Laurence will be Bombardier James Fenton, aged 103, one of only a few hundred still living from a lower estimate of 179,000 awarded the Burma Star Campaign Medal.
Our book SASRA in the Second World War covers the Association’s activities across the world during WWII. If you would like a free copy, please contact our head office to take up the offer. Email admin@sasra.org.uk or call 03000 301 302. All we ask is for postage and package costs of £2.99 to be covered and a donation if you wish, following prayerful consideration.
Pray with us
- Give thanks that God strengthens us and we can wholeheartedly trust in Him even when the battle seems impossible.
- Give thanks for the ongoing support that Sir Laurence gives to SASRA. May the Lord bless him in all that he does.
- Give thanks for Bombardier Fenton and his service. Pray for the Lord's favour to be upon him.
- Pray for those who fought in the Burma Campaign and do not yet know and love the Lord. May the Lord open up their hearts and minds to His saving grace, and comfort those who are troubled by their memories.
