Robert Lyman (10:45 BST)

In remembrance of the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) 2/9/1945

'This is a superb book.' - James Holland

War of Empires: Japan is a sweeping saga of the longest and possibly most savage campaign of World War II.

In 1941 and 1942 the British and Indian Armies were brutally defeated and Japan reigned supreme in its newly conquered territories throughout Asia. But change was coming. New commanders such as Generals Alexander, Auchinleck and Slim were appointed, and tactics were developed including a new volunteer Indian Army who fought ferociously to turn the tide of war.

But the first victory did not come until March 1944, when the years of rebuilding paid off with the defeat of the Japanese at Kohima and Imphal as they staged their famed but doomed 'March on Delhi'. Further extraordinary victories followed culminating in Mandalay in May 1945 and the collapse of all Japanese forces in Burma.

Tracing this so-called 'Forgotten War', acclaimed historian Robert Lyman reveals it to be a ferocious clash of competing visions of empire, which would irrevocably change the future of both Britain and the Indian subcontinent forever.

Introduced by Peter Kennerley

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