The Japanese entered the war by attacking Pearl Harbour (a US Naval base) in the Pacific on 7th December 1941. Air raids and landings were also launched against Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaya and Singapore. Burma was invaded on 21 st January 1942, followed by the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) on the 14th February.

The Japanese used their naval and air power to support their ground forces. Lightly armed, dressed and equipped, their infantry frequently used only hand carts for transport. In this way, using tracks, often through dense jungle they by-passed their enemies who were tied to main roads by their motorised transport. By using novel jungle warfare tactics the Japanese caught the Allies totally by surprise. In just over 6 months the campaign was over.