21 - Japanese occupation of Southeast Asia, 1941–1945

Summary

The story of the British Empire's war is one of imperial success in contributing toward Allied victory. On the one hand, egregious imperial failure, as Britain struggled to protect people and to feed them, and failed to win the loyalty of colonial subjects; many of whom viewed the end of British rule with an indifference that shocked the British, or anti-British political leaders in Burma, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq and Malaya, men prepared to court the enemy in their desperation to get the British out. The British Empire was an integrated economic, political and military zone, a veritable imperial state. Britain's international political and strategic posture rested upon its alliance with the semi-autonomous Dominions, and its possession of India and a vast colonial empire. The British Empire suffered from the scourges that afflict all empires: internal opposition and external rivalry. The military contribution of the British Empire was a key facet of the 'British' war effort.