Israel’s 1948 Burma Road
The 1948 Burma Road is a hastily constructed bypass formed during Israel’s War of Independence. It was created to provide the Jews of Jerusalem who were under siege with vital water and other supplies. Today, the Burma Road traverses the Judean Foothills (the Shephelah) forests, offering a tremendous off-road tour experience, in the heart of Israel.
History of Burma Road
When the 1948 Israeli-Arab war broke out, the road to Jerusalem, along with other roads, was blocked by Jordanian forces. They captured the British stronghold of Latrun and set cannons on its eastern ridge. Five attempts by Jewish forces to conquer Latrun failed, and the 100,000 Jews living in Jerusalem were at risk of being cut off from all foods, supplies, munitions, and reinforcements. Finding an alternative route, circumventing Latrun and the Jordanian artillery, was crucial.
Palmach soldiers navigating in the area eventually found a detour. It traversed through a hidden valley south of Latrun, connecting to a path descending from Jerusalem. Heavy tractors worked through the nights to make the path navigable for trucks, and a water pipeline was installed along it. The lifeline to the Jews in Jerusalem was secured, providing vital water and other supplies in the following summer months. By the war’s end, there was no need for the road. The main road to Jerusalem was secured, and the state of Israel was formed.
How Burma Road Got Its Name
The camouflaged bypass of Latrun secured vital supplies to Jerusalem and is considered a significant tactical and engineering achievement. The Harel and Sheva brigades wanted to name the road after their unit. However, an American journalist, Kenneth Bilby, compared it to the Burma Road, a bypass that linked Burma and China during the Sino-Japanese war in 1937-8. His nickname became famous and eventually the official name, which could be more apparent.
Touring Burma Road
The full course of Israel’s 1948 Burma Road lies between Moshav Beqoa and Beit Meir, where it joins road 1. Today, some parts of ‘Burma road’ are paved, others remain dirt roads, and some parts are accessible only by all-terrain vehicles. Especially challenging, even for an off-road car, is the steep section called The Serpentines. The winding road passes through scenic landscapes of pine tree forests and vineyards. Bronze sculptures along the road illustrate the dramatic events that took place here during Israel’s War of Independence.
A tour along the Burma Road can integrated into a day tour of the Judean Foothills (the Shephela).
