Burma Star, Medal Ribbon

Campaign Burma Dates 11 Dec 1941 - 2 Sep 1945 Ribbon Dark blue overlaid with a central red stripe to represent the Commonwealth Forces and two narrow stripes of orange to symbolise the sun. Criteria Star awarded for 1 or more days’ service in Burma between the above dates. Those serving in Bengal and Assam (in India), China, Hong Kong, Malaya or Sumatra between certain other specified dates will also qualify. Naval personnel must qualify first for the 1939-45 Star before the Burma Star can be awarded. It is then awarded for service at sea, restricted to the Bay of Bengal within certain specified boundaries. Certain special conditions apply governing award of the Star for those Naval personnel entering service less than 6 months before the end of the qualifying period. RAF air crew engaged in operations against the enemy will also qualify provided that at least one operational sortie has been completed. Campaign History The campaign in Burma took place between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945, during which time the Japanese invaded Burma, driving British forces to the Indian border. As the Japanese held superiority in the Pacific, it wasn’t until early in 1944 that the Allies were in a position to strike back and regain a foothold in Burma with the aim of finally defeating the Japanese in the Pacific and Far East. Total surrender of the Japanese came on 2 September 1945 following the dropping of the atom bombs by the Allies on two Japanese cities. PoWs were forced to labour on construction projects such as railway building (as depicted in the film 'The Bridge on the River Kwai') and were frequently tortured and starved. Around 13,000 British soldiers and 2,000 civilians died in Japanese wartime camps.