Later the 56th Division flanked the Allied line to the east, by advancing through the mountains to the Salween River in the Karenni States. The Division defeated the Chinese 6th Corps in the Karen Hills area battles of Mawchi on 13 April 1942,  Bawlake, Taunggyi and Loikaw on 20 April 1940, and forced their retreat eastward to Yunnan. Advancing north through the Shan States the 56th Division defeated elements of the Chinese 65th Corps to take the city of Lashio on the Burma Road.
Later, the 56th Division flanked the Allied line to the east by advancing through the mountains to the Salween River in the Karenni States. The Division defeated the Chinese 6th Corps in the Karen Hills area battles of Mawchi on April 13, 1942, Bawlake, Taunggyi and Loikaw on April 20, 1940, and forced their retreat eastward to Yunnan.  The 56th Division advanced north through the Shan States and defeated elements of the Chinese 65th Corps to capture Lashio on the Burma Road.