Taukkyan Roadblock

The Battle of the Taukkyan Roadblock took place in April 1942 near Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma, during the British retreat in the face of the Japanese advance in the Burma Campaign of World War II.

As British and Indian forces withdrew northward from Rangoon, Japanese troops set up a roadblock at Taukkyan, a critical junction on the main escape route. The Japanese ambushed the retreating columns, cutting off the road and causing chaos among the Allied units. Intense fighting broke out as British forces, including the 17th Indian Division, tried to break through under heavy fire.

The roadblock caused significant Allied casualties and disruption. Though some units managed to escape, the battle highlighted the effectiveness of Japanese infiltration and ambush tactics. The Taukkyan Roadblock was a key moment in the collapse of the Allied defense of southern Burma, contributing to the eventual full withdrawal to India.

5 VP’s

Card Balance:

Allies – 5 + 2 Combat Cards

Axis – 5 + 2 Combat Cards

Complexity:

Conditions:

Jungle

Context:

Historical

Location:

Burma

Year:

1939

Theater:

Pacific

Campaign:

Burma Campaign

Codename:

Summary:

Objectives:

5 VP’s

Battlefield:

Jungle with two intersecting roads, a roadblock, a village, and some hills.

Troops:

Allies – 8 Infantry, 4 Armor

Axis (Japan) – 9 Infantry with some machine guns and anti-tank special weapons.

Allied Strategy:

1. Big Picture: while you do not have to get through the roadblock, it does present a challenge for the British as a rallying point for the enemy.

Axis Strategy

1. Big Picture Strategy: with their special weapons of machine guns and anti-tank guns, plus the roadblock present a significant opportunity for the Japanese to hold off the Brits.

Battle Reports