The "33rd division" was transferred to the 15th army on 6 November 1941, and took part in the invasion of British Burma, under Lieutenant General Shozo Sakurai. Initially "33rd division" have landed in Bangkok in January 1942 and proceed inland. It lost a battalion at the Battle of Yenangyaung, but completed the conquest of Burma in May 1942 nonetheless. Later in December 1942, the "33rd division" was instrumental to defeat an Allied forces in a Arakan Campaign 1942–43.