In 1942, The Empire of Japan invaded Burma from neighbouring Thailand, which they already occupied, and seized control of the country from the British. In order to maintain control of Burma they needed to deliver troops and supplies to the country and the only existing way to do that was by sea, along the coast of Thailand and up the west coast of Malaysia to Burma. The route was long and very exposed to attack by the allies and a new method of transport was needed. The British government, when in charge of Burma, had considered building a railway linking Burma and Thailand but had decided that the course of the route, through hilly jungle and over several rivers, was too difficult. They estimated that construction would take five years and shelved the project. In June
... read more