Wavell replaces Hutton, and Alexander and Slim take command
On 28 February 1942 General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, relieved Lieutenant General Hutton of command in Burma. Smyth, who was seriously ill, was dismissed from the 17th Indian Division and replaced by Major General David Cowan. General Sir Harold Alexander was appointed General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Burma, and flew out to take up the post. Alexander's orders were to hold Rangoon. In March the army was reorganised into the Burma Corps, with the 17th Indian Division and the 1st Burma Division under Lieutenant General William Slim, and Alexander took charge…
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