Chinese aggression
Empire of Japan
Session 2
14 Feb 1937 - 5 Nov 1937
Hakko Ichiu
(“Eight corner of the World under one roof.”)
Chinese aggression
On June 4, 1937 a clash occurred between Chinese and Japanese troops near Peiping in North China. When this clash was followed by indications of intensified military activity on the part of China, we had no choice but to declare war on the dogs of China. Greater East Asia does not tolerate such irresponsible behaviour.
This chapter will briefly describe the settings for this war and how the first 5 months have progressed.
Pre-war plans
Before war broke out between Greater East Asia and China, Japan's supreme command have issued a couple of Operation orders on how Chinese aggression would be dealt with.
The first Operation order (no: 1) from Japanese High Command was issued to General Hirohito on 11th of January 1937. The plan was to strike hard from the sea with three Armies. The invading armies would consist of Japan's best trained and well-equipped troops.
However, when intelligence revealed that China had strong garisons in the area it was decided a new plan was needed and order no: 1 was cancelled.
Around beginning of Mars -37 the Japanese High Command developed a new and cunning invasion plan of China; Operation order no: 2. Here the focus had been shifted from capturing Chinas major industrial centers to trap and isolate the whole Shanxi army.
But also this plan had to be abandon when it was clear that China made heavy reinforcements in the area.
The final Operation order (no: 3) - that later was to be executed - was designed under high time-pressure since intelligence revealed that the Chinese were planning an offensive into Manchuria, to be executed next month.
Japanese High Command had realized that a coastal attack would be time-consuming and risky due to very strong Chinese defence along the coastal perimeter. Hence, a new idea emerged of breaking through the Shanxi lines at two hot-spots and exploiting.
In order for the third plan to be successful, speed was the key ingredient. Japan had to force its way straight south in a very rapid manoever that would finally incircle and capture Nanjing. If Chinese reinforcements from central and sout-west China would be able to reach Nanjing area before Japan, a stand-off would probably emerge.
War starts: Order of battle
Initial deployments
Step 1
Step 2
At the end of the second attack phase, four pockets of Chinese forces were isolated and trapped. These pockets were wiped out. The Chinese made a few futile attempts to break through the Japanese lines, but failed miserably.
After the elimination of the Chinese pockets the main objective has been to reorganize and reconcile our positions.
Summary
The first 5 months of the campaign have been very successful for the Japanese Empire. Roughly 45 Chinese divisions have been isolated and annihilated.
Greater East Asia has effectively demonstrated the awsome supremacy of the Japanese military. The initial assault was swift, deadly and the Chinese forces were merely by-standers overlooking the brilliant strategy of the Japanese supreme commander.
The first step towards defeating China has been successfully executed. The major cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing have been liberated. Chinese reinforcements have arrived along the frontier and new plans are being designed on what the next steps should be.