In 1942 the 15th Japanese army invades Myanmar. It is initially
supported by a small troop of Burmese nationalists, among them
Aung San and his comrade in arms Ne Win. While the
Japanese troops quickly gain control of the Burmese central regions,
the British colonial forces retreat to India but not without
destroying a large part of the infrastructure, which had been
built in the decades of colonial reign, in a policy of burnt
earth.
The Japanese declare Myanmar independent. Aung San becomes
Burmese Minister of War, Ne Win ascends to the rank of
Chief of the General Staff of the pro-Japanese Burmese army. During
the three-year occupation of Myanmar by the Japanese, British units
continue attacks on Japanese units and on the Burmese administration
instated by them, in a kind of guerilla warfare. Both sides
suffer enormous losses.
When it becomes obvious that Japan is going to lose the war, in
March 1945 the Burmese army led by Aung San changes sides
and declares itself allies of the allied forces. In the
following months Burmese troops support the reconquest of Myanmar
by the British forces.
The Japanese troops in Myanmar surrender in August 1945.
The British temporarily reinstate their colonial administration,
but meet with strong opposition from Burmese nationalists under
the leadership of Aung San. In January 1947 at a conference
in London the British Labor government under Prime Minister
Atlee concedes to the Burmese demand for independence.
During parliamentary elections held in April 1947 Aung San's
AntiFascist People's Freedom League wins 248 out of 255
parliament seats. But on July 19, 1947, Aung San
and five of his closest advisors fall prey to an assassination
by prewar Prime Minister U Saw.
Other Historical eras:
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