BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The 24th instalment in a series of archival releases on China's WWII engagements on Wednesday covered its battles in Myanmar, then a British colony.
The road linking southwest China's Yunnan Province and Myanmar was an important international passageway during WWII. Japanese soldiers attempted to cut the supply corridor to threaten Chinese troops.
In February, 1942, shortly before the Japanese occupied the major city of Yangon, the British government asked China for help.
By March 20, after 12 days of fierce combat in Myanmar, Chinese expeditionary forces had covered the British army's retreat and killed more than 5,000 Japanese enemies.
In another battle in Myanmar, Chinese soldiers rescued more than 7,000 British captives and 500 American missionaries and journalists.
The Chinese spent half a year in Myanmar, covering more than 1,500 km, and provided vital help to the British army.
Every day since Aug. 25, China's State Archives Administration has released a new set of articles outlining historic battles to mark the 69th anniversary of victory against Japanese aggressors.
China has officially set Sept. 3 as Victory Day to mark Japan's surrender on Sept. 2, 1945.
