From London… Despite his junior rank, Rear Admiral Lord Mountbatten (Dickie) is appointed Chief of Staff of Combined Operations with a seat on the British Chiefs of Staff Committee. This date is the public announcement of the appointment which occurred on March 18th.

In Burma… The Japanese break through the British defense in the Irrawaddy Valley forcing the British and Chinese to retreat to new positions at Magpwe. The Chinese 6th Army is moved from the Shan States to Manadaly.