1940: Japan

The year 1940 was destined to be one of the most momentous in Japan's history. Both at home and abroad the country faced difficulties of unprecedented dimensions. The war in China had reached a stalemate, and victory was acknowledged to be still far distant. The economic strain on the country resulting from two and one-half years of inconclusive fighting became increasingly severe. Relations with some of the great western Powers grew more and more strained and, in the case of the United States, came dangerously near the breaking point. The year also saw a definite swing to a totalitarian form of government, and an outright alliance with the European Axis Powers.

At the very beginning of the year the people were warned by the Government that difficult times were ahead, and that the contemplated launching of a Japanese-sponsored 'Central Government of China' at Nanking would mean further sacrifices on their part, although not necessarily the end of the China 'incident.' They were therefore cautioned against any feeling of 'relaxation.'

JAPAN AT WAR: 1940

In China.

Late in January, a strong Japanese drive along the railway north of Canton met with severe reverses. Early in February, the Japanese made an unsuccessful attempt to extend the area of occupation around Nanning, capital of Kwangsi Province and vital communications center which they had captured in November 1939. In the numerous engagements between the two armies, both sides suffered heavy casualties, but the efforts of the Japanese were completely unsuccessful. Regardless of this defeat, however, the Japanese Army Command issued a proclamation on Feb. 14 calling on Chiang Kai-shek to surrender and warning him that his resistance was 'useless.' The proclamation said that the Japanese army had 'won sufficient areas in China for establishment of a 'new order' in Asia, that rapid progress was being made for the formation of a 'Central Government' under Wang Ching-wei'; and that, 'In the future we will not extend our operations but will await your offensive.'

Shortly after the middle of April, following a settlement by China of her United Front difficulties in Shansi, Japan started her eleventh major drive in the southern area of this province. By April 25, twenty-five Japanese columns, totaling 60,000 men were pushing their way toward southwestern Shansi and the Yellow River. Within ten days, however, the Chinese had partially severed the Japanese lines of communication and once more the Japanese attempt to cross the Yellow River failed. Early in May, an even more powerful Japanese offensive was launched toward the Upper Han River Valley of Hupeh Province, in an attempt to split the northern provinces from the southwest. Although impressive advances were made at first, the offensive met with increasing resistance, and was finally disastrously defeated.

The first days of June saw the beginning of a strong drive by the Japanese in southern Hupeh Province to gain control of the highly strategic port cities of Ichang and Shasi on the Yangtze River above Hankow. By June 4, the Japanese had crossed the Han River at three points near Ichang and had pushed to within a few miles of the walled city of Tangyang, forty-three miles northeast of Ichang. After two days of heavy fighting, in spite of stout Chinese resistance, Tangyang was captured. Shasi was taken the same day, and on June 11, Ichang, 60 miles to the northwest, fell into Japanese hands. There has been much severe fighting in this general region since June, but at the end of the year, the Chinese had not retaken Ichang.

As the China 'incident' went into its fourth year on July 7, victory was still not in sight, and a report issued by the Bureau of Information of the War Department early in the summer, stated that the 'will to fight' on the part of the rank and file of the Chinese and 'the spirit of anti-Japanism have not died out or cooled down.' The report went on to say that while the Japanese had smashed Chiang Kai-shek's winter campaign, his offensive had nevertheless, 'extended practically the entire length of China and strategically the Chinese operations showed a unity of plan and good control.' The report also stated that the Chinese had rebuilt their munitions industry in the Interior and so had kept the guerilla forces well equipped. It closed with the statement that there was not much chance of an immediate change in the situation.