Colonel Ba Htoo

Colonel Ba Htoo was an important person who can not be left out in the effort who called for the liberation of Burma, the British, and the Fascist Japanese Revolution. Especially, Colonel Ba Htoo’s tactics were particularly effective in countering the revolution against Fascist Japan.

Colonel Ba Htoo is the youngest son of father Pho Tun and mother Sein Mya Yin. He is a native of Le Thun Khan Village, Launglon Township, Dawei District.

After studying at Dawei Government High School until the seventh grade, he dropped out of school and worked at Heinda Mine. Due to Ba Htoo’s good performance, he was soon promoted to manager.

In 1942, the BIA (Burmese Independence Army), led by General Aung San along with Japanese troops, began to revolt against British forces. When the brigade, led by thirty comrades Bo Let Yar, captured Dawei, Ba Htoo’s patriotic rebellion erupted. So, he could not take care of his wife and three children, he then joined the BIA and served as a sergeant.

1942 In July, British troops withdrew from Burma. On July 26, the BIA was transformed into the BDA (Burmese Defense Army). Ba Htoo was promoted from Sergeant to Captain to General to the rank of Major and Battalion Commander. Major Ba Htoo has been suffering from malaria since he went to the battlefield. 1943 On August 1, Japan granted independence to Burma. However, this independence was a sham and fell under Fascist Japan, which was worse than the British colonies. Later, when the BDA expanded its divisions, Major Ba Htoo served as Mandalay Division Commander. As a divisional commander, Major Ba Htoo was plotting to overthrow the Japanese.

In January 1945, Major Ba Htoo attended a secret meeting with General Aung San and members of the Revolutionary Committee to repel the Japanese. March 27 was designated Fascist Revolution Day, and the whole nation, along with its British allies, plotted to overthrow Japan. However, Major Ba Htoo noticed that the Japanese were suspicious of Aung San, so he revolted three weeks earlier than scheduled to allow time for Aung San’s lower Burmese revolutionary forces to get preparation time. Major Ba Htoo led his troops, formed a Burmese guerrilla force, and began to attack Fascist Japan. At that time, British Allied forces were entering Upper Burma and Mandalay Division via India. Before the Allies arrived, Ba Htoo’s guerrillas were able to resist the Japanese in Mandalay. When the Allies arrived, they joined forces with Major Ba Htoo’s forces and successfully defeated the Fascist Japanese. The British claimed that they had captured Pyin Oo Lwin (Maymyo) with the help of Major Ba Htoo’s troops.

After the Allied takeover of Mandalay, Ba Htoo troops arrived in southern Shan State via Kyaukse. At that time, the weather was bad and the malaria epidemic had resurfaced. The disease was so severe that he could not recover and died at the age of 29, June 2, 1945, in Aungban Township, Telu camp near Mying Kyar Do village. The general was promoted to the rank of colonel in honor of Ba Htoo’s bravery and self-sacrifice, but Ba Htoo could not accept the position. In honor of Colonel Ba Htoo, in November 1953, a military base was established in Yapsauk, Taunggyi District, southern Shan State. Colonel Ba Htoo did not even focus on his family when it came to the revolution. He dedicated his entire life to the cause of the country and the people. The statue found at the top of the Kamyawkin Bridge from Dawei to Launglon is unique, it’s Colonel Ba Htoo who was a respected Dawei-born hero.

Writer- Dylan

Translator- Hana M