The Burma Campaign Memorial Library

The Burma Campaign Memorial Library was created by the Burma Campaign Fellowship Group as a permanent memorial to those who fought and those who died in the Burma campaign (1942-1945) during World War II.

The Burma Campaign Memorial Library is a comprehensive collection of writings about the war in Burma [Myanmar] between 1942 and 1945. The longest continuous and, at the time, least publicised campaign of the conflict.

The Burma Campaign Memorial Library collection was compiled by volunteers from the Burma Campaign Fellowship group over a four year period (1995-1999). It initially consisted of private donations and bequests from veterans and other individuals; books drawn from the library collection of SOAS, University of London; and books purchased with the aid of a grant from GB Sasakawa Foundation. This initial collection was complemented by a significant addition of Japanese language titles relating the campaign donated by the All Burma Veterans Association of Japan in 2001. The collection is constantly growing as existing rare books are acquired and new works on the conflict published.

The Burma Campaign Memorial Library includes published and manuscript memoirs, biographies, historical accounts, personal narratives, essays, fiction, poetry, diaries, correspondence, propaganda leaflets, and artefacts relating to the Burma campaign. Subjects covered include: the Japanese offensive, the Arakan, Imphal and Kohima, the Chindits, individual unit and formation histories, civilian Burma, and medical services. The collection also contains books on related subjects, such as the Indian National Army, the Gurkhas, the China-Burma-India Theatre, and the Burma Road.

The Burma Campaign Memorial Library is divided into an English language section (around 1200 items) and a Japanese language section (around 600 items).

Further Reading

• Graham, Gordon, 'Browsing Through a Treasure House: The Literature of the Burma Campaign ', DEKHO!

Locating items in the Burma Campaign Memorial Library

• Search the Burma Campaign Memorial Library on the SOAS Library catalogue

Consulting items from the Burma Campaign Memorial Library

• Items from the Burma Campaign Memorial Library collection can be consulted in the Special Collections Reading Room , SOAS Library.
• Items from the Burma Campaign Memorial Library can be requested in person or via our online booking system.