After taking control of the Malay Peninsula, the Japanese started construction of the infamous Thai-Burma "Death Railway", which was needed to help carry WWII supplies to Japanese soldiers in Burma. The Brits had thought the route implausible due to hilly jungle terrain with many rivers. In 1942, Japanese forces began construction. The railway line was built by Allied prisoners of war who suffered from appalling living conditions and Allied air raids. This famous permanent concrete and steel bridge was completed in 1943. The Allies made several attempts to destroy the bridge from the air, but succeeded only in damaging it.