 Ranges of steep hills channelled the advance into three attacks; by 5th Indian Division along the coast, 7th Indian Division along the Kalapanzin River and 81st (West Africa) Division along the Kaladan River.The 5th Indian Division captured the small port of Maungdaw on 9 January 1944.The Corps then prepared to capture two disused railway tunnels which linked Maungdaw with the Kalapanzin valley.