The
Szechwan Invasion, also known as the
Chongqing Operation,
Chongqing Campaign or
Operation 5, was the
Imperial Japanese Army's failed plan to destroy the
Chongqing-based
Chiang Kai-shek government during the
Second Sino-Japanese War. It was to be a stepping stone for
Japan's final control of the
Chinese mainland.
The operation started in spring of 1942, after the first phase of operations had been concluded in south China, and continued through spring of 1943. The operation is noted for Japan's sustained bombing of cities in central west China.
The Basic Plan
The basic plan was to make a multi-front breakthrough to Sichuan from northern
Shanxi, central Hubei and southern Hunan. Heavy aerial support and bombing of Chongqing supported the advance of Japanese Army and collaborationist forces. Japanese Navy patrol boats from the
Yangtze river provided further bombardment. Chiang Kai-shek discussed the invasion in his book
Soviet Russia in China, stating:
<blockquote>The
Imperial General Headquarters sent the order for drawing down 16 divisions and logistics support units from Japan reserves,
Manchukuo and Southern Areas (including
New Guinea and
Solomon islands also) to reinforce the Japanese expeditionary forces in central China area, to prepare the principal force of ten divisions in south
Shanshi and other support group conformed by six Divisions of
Ichang in
Hubei amongst other Divisions located in
Changde, in
Hunan, for striking Sichuan and the occupation of...
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