Longest, Harshest, Largest: Superlatives of the Burma Campaign

Join military historian and author Rob Lyman as he discusses the superlative characteristics of the Burma campaign.

The Burma campaign was characterised by its unique challenges and notable achievements, making it a campaign of superlatives in several ways.

It was the longest British land campaign of the Second World War. It saw the largest British Commonwealth army ever assembled. It witnessed the brilliant leadership of General William Slim and delivered two of the greatest defeats that the Imperial Japanese Army sustained during the Second World War.

Dr Robert Lyman will delve into what made the Burma campaign so great, and why – despite its scale - it remains largely forgotten.

About the speaker

Dr Robert Lyman is a writer and historian. He is a Research Fellow at the Changing Character of War Centre, Pembroke College, Oxford.

Since finishing a 20-year career in the Army, he has published widely on the Second World War in Europe, North Africa and Asia. He is Field Marshal William Slim’s military biographer. He was the BBC’s historical adviser for the VJ Day commemorations in 2015 and 2020, and is a regular contributor to documentary films on various aspects of the conflict.