1939–1940 Winter Offensive

1939-40 Winter Offensive

1939-40 Winter Offensive
Part of Second Sino-Japanese War
Date Late Nov. 1, 1939 to Late March 1940 Location Vicinities of Suiyuan, Hubei Result Mixed results
Belligerents
National Revolutionary Army, China	Imperial Japanese Army, Japan
Commanders and leaders
?	?
Strength
?	?
Casualties and losses
?	?

The 1939-40 Winter Offensive was one of the major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Strategic situation

The Chinese had repulsed two Japanese offensives in the summer (Sui-Tsaoyang) and fall of 1939 (Changsha). They believed that the Japanese strength was now too dissipated to take and hold new territory and would not be able to launch large offensives unless they received more reinforcements. However defending on interior lines and with control of the lines of communication they could still shift forces and launch local offensives to damage Chinese forces or mop up guerillas in the rear areas. Additionally during 1939, the Japanese where replacing many of their large four regiment square Divisions with the smaller three regiment triangular Divisions and weak Independent Mixed Brigades. This weakening of forces encouraged the Chinese to plan a large offensive to exploit that fact.

Chinese plan

Chinese objective in the offensive was to take the initiative by conducting multiple front attacks to tie down the Japanese forces. They intended to use their position of exterior lines to advantage to prevent the Japanese launching new local offensives or shifting their forces to concentrate for a large offensive. The main effort was to be by 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 9th War Areas and received the all the newly trained and reorganized units. Secondary efforts in support of the main efforts or as diversions were to be conducted by 1st, 4th, 8th, Shantung-Kiangsu and Hopei-Chahar War Areas with their existing units.

Offensive against North China Front Army

2nd War Area in north China was to cut off the communications of the Japanese 1st Army along the Cheng-tai [Chengting - Taiyuan] and Tung-pu [Tatung - to Puchow] Railways and mop up the their forces in the triangular area formed by southern Shansi and the southern sector of the Tung-pu Railway. The other Corps were to attack the enemy where they were and destroy communications in aid of the main effort.

40th Corps and 27th Corps were to attack and pin down the Japanese 36th Division in the Chang-chih [Zhangzi] and Chang-tze [Changzhi] area of Shansi. To the southwest along Tung-pu [Tatung - to Puchow] Railway 4th Army Group, 5th Army Group and 14th Army Group were to attack from the east while the 34th Corps and 61st Corps attacked from the west to cut the Tung-pu Railway between between Yi-cheng and Yun-cheng [Yuncheng] at Chiang-Hsien [Jiangxian], Wen-hsi [Wenxi], An-yi [Anyi] with the object of severing the railway at Chu-wu [Quwo] and Hou-ma [Houma] isolating 37th Division and 41st Division at Linfeng.

1st War Area was to support 2nd War Area with an attack on the Kaifeng and Po-ai [Bo'ai] area to tie down the Japanese forces of the 35th Division and 4th Cavalry Brigade of the North China Front Army.

South of the Yellow River 3rd Army Group was to cut off Lan-feng - Kai-feng Sector of Lung-hai Railway. 81st Division main force was to attack Kai-feng while a few elements attacked Lanfeng allowing the Anhwei - Honan Border area Guerrillas (40,000 men) to cut the Lunghua railroad near Lo-wang [Luowang], Nei-huang [Neihuanggi], and East and west of Lanfeng [Lankao] plus the highways at Tung-hsu [Tongxu], Huai-yang [Huaiyang] and Lu-yi [Luyi]. To the southeast 2nd Cavalry Corps was to move east of Po-Hsien [Boxian], from Luyi attack Kuei-teh [Shangqiu] from the east. Another force to intercept and stop enemy relief forces from 21st Division at Tang-shan [Dangshan] and Hsuchow [Xuzhou].

Simultaneously north of the Yellow River 36th Army Group would attack Po-ai [Bo'ai] and Hsin-hsiang [Xinxiang]. New 5th Corps would attack Japanese positions held by 1st Independent Mixed Brigade north and south of An-yang [Anyang]. Destroy bridges along the roads at Chi, Chun, Tang-yin, and Pao-lien Temple Station tying up rail traffic. 47th Corps would cut rail traffic at Po-shan [?], Chang-kou [?], and clear Tai-hsing Shan [Taihang Mountains] of Japanese troops. Finally the 9th Corps was to attack 35th Division and 4th Cavalry Brigade troops at Po-ai [Bo'ai], Hsin-yang [Jixian], Wu-she [Mucheng] and area of Hsiu-wu [Xiuwu] and Po-ai [Bo'ai], south of the western Tao-tsing railroad.

Hopei-Chahar War Area was to support 2nd War Area using its main force of 69th Corps with its New 6th Division and guerilla forces to cut the communications in the vicinity of Shih-chia-chuang [Shijiazhuang], Pao-ting [Bao-ding] held by 110th Division and Hsing-tai [Xingtai]held by the 8th Independent Mixed Brigade and along the Peiking - Hankow Railway. Other forces were to cut communications in the vicinity of Tsang-chow [Cangzhou] and Teh-chow [Dezhou] held by 27th Division along the Tientsin-Pukow Railway in this way preventing forces of the North China Front Army or its 12th Army from interfering with operations in Shansi against 1st Army.

8th War Area was to assist 2nd War Area in the north in Suiyuan by attacks on the Japanese Cavalry Group [2] of the Mongolian Army at Pao-tou [Baotou] and Kuei-sui [Hohhot]. The Main force of 35th Corps was to attack Pao-tou [Baotou]. 6th Cavalry Corps and the Advance Force was to cut the railroad between Kuei-sui [Hohhot] and Sa-la-chi [Salqin] to prevent IJA reinforcements from the 26th Division in the Tatung [Datung] area to relive Pao-tou [Baotou]. 81st Corps was to attack Anpei [Dashetai] while Guerilla Forces attacked Kuyang [Guyang] and various other sites to tie down outlying garrisons.

Shantung Kiangsu War Area was to prevent movement between North and Central China along the Tientsin-Pukow Railway by attacking and sabotaging it. In Shantung portions of 51st Corps were to attack near Tai-an [Tai'an] and portions of 57th Corps near Teng Hsien [Tengxian] held both held by IJA 32nd Division. In Kiangsu portions of 89th Corps were to attack near Chu-hsien [Chuzhou] held by 12th Independent Mixed Brigade in Kiangsu.

Central China Offensive Plan

In Central China the Japanese 11th Army was to be subject to the concentrated attack of the 5th and 9th War Areas, and supporting attacks by 6th and 3rd War Area while 3rd War Area with support from Shantung Kiangsu War area isolated 11th Army from help from 13th Army downstream by its offensive on the Yangtze and at Hangchow.

3rd War Area was to attack 116th Division positions along the south bank of the Yangtze River between Wuhu and Hukou with its main force to cut communications and attack traffic along it with mines and artillery to prevent the forces of the Japanese 13th Army from giving aid to the 11th Army up river. Shantung Kiangsu War Area was to attack along the Tientsin-Pukow Railway on the north bank of the River in support. To do this 23rd Army Group organized columns made from the 50th, 21st, 86th, and 25th Corps with three Divisions each and 18th Corps with two. The force was divided into a Right Flank Army, Central Army and Left Flank Army.

- Right Flank Army was to send one column to operate along the line from Shun-an [Shun'an] to Tung-kuan-shan, Tung-chiang village and Ma-shan to insure security and attack the enemy between Ti-kang [Digang] and Tung-ling [Tongling] and Ta-tung [Datong]. Another powerful column would advance via Ti-kang [Digang], Tung-ling [Tongling], and Ta-tung [Datong] to the river and attack ships and capture Ta-tung and Tungling at once. Another force was to be sent to Wan-chih [Wanzhi] and Wu-hu to harass and tie down the Japanese 15th Division.

- Central Army columns were to move to Tatung [Datong] and Huang-pen [Huangpen] to attack enemy strong points at Tseng-hsing-shan, Cheng-chia-ta-shan and Hsiang-shan to ensure security along the line from Shan-tan-chow to Chiang-chia-tzui. Later, they were to attack the enemy at Ma-tou-shan and operate from Meikang to the upper and lower reaches of the river.

- Left Flank Army was to organize 2 columns (built around one infantry regiment with attached artillery) to approach river banks between Tung-liu [Dongliu] and Hsian-kou [Xiangkou] and between Hokou [Hukou] and Pengtze [Pengze] to attack enemy ships and lay mines. Individual battalions or companies, attached with necessary anti tank guns, were to be organized into 3 attack teams to infiltrate into the river banks to attack enemy ships. Two Divisions attached with necessary artillery and engineers, and the Navy's Mine-laying Group would form the reserves and stand by at Tai-ping [Tai-ping] and Ching Hsien[?].

- 10th Army Group was to take Hangchow[Hangzhou], Fuyang and Yu-hang[Linping]to pin down 22nd Division in that area while the 32nd Army Group would attack and harass Nanchang from the east to aid the 9th War Area offensive against it.

9th War Area with the support of the 3rd and 6th War Areas would attack the 6th, 33rd, 34th and 40th Divisions, and 14th and 18th Independent Mixed Brigade of the Japanese 11th Army south of the Yangtze along the Canton-Hangkow Railway at Puchi and Hsien-ning and advance on Wu-chang, attack Nanchang, and along the Nanchang-Kuikiang Railway and against Jui-chang and Kiu-kiang and attack and isolate 6th division at Yueh-yang.

- 15th Army Group supported by 53rd Corps from 6th War Area was to attack Canton-Hangkow Railway and isolate 6th division at Yueh-yang.

- 27th Army Group was to attack the Canton-Hangkow Railway at Puchi and Hsien-ning[Xianning] and advance on Wu-chang.

- 30th Army Group was to attack the northward between Nan-Hsun Railway and Canton-Hangkow Railway, support 27th Army advance on Wu-chang, advance on Jui-chang and Kiu-kiang.

- 19th Army Group and 32nd Army Group from 3rd War Area attack Nanchang and the Nan-Hsun Railway. Main force of 19th Army Group, the 58th Corps and 60th Corps formerly from the 1st Army Group, was to attack Wan-shou-kung[Wangshengang], Chein-chow[Aicheng] and Pai-tze-chiao[?]. 32nd Corps was to attack Ching-an[Qiujiajie] with part of its force while 141st Division and 131st Division sabotaged traffic and communications between Chang-kung-tu [Zhanggongdu, near Quijin] and An-yi [Anyi] and between Teh-an [De'an] and Juo-hsi [Ruoxi] and the railroad and wires between Niu-hsing [Jiaoqiao] and Lo-hua [Lehuajie] and Teh-an [De'an].

5th War Area was to mop up the 3rd, 13th and 39th Divisions and 14th Independent Mixed Brigade of the 11th Army north of the Yangtze between Hsin-yang and Wuhan along the Peiking-Hankow Railway and cut communications along the Han-yi [Hankow-Ichang] and Hsiang-Hua [Hsiang-yang - Hua-yuan Highways. The 5th War Area forces were divided into four Armies to carry out the operation, River North Army, Right Flank Army, Left Flank Army, Southern Honan Army, and the Eastern Hupei Guerrilla force with the 84th Corps (178th and 188th Division under Mo Shu-chieh in reserve at Tsaoyang.

- River North Army was to send a detachment to cross the river east of Sze-kang [Shayang] and attack Tien-men [Tianmen] and Tsao-shih [Zaoshi], while the Main force was to cross between Sze-kang [Shayang] and Chiu-kou [Jiukou], attack the enemy west of Pai-ma-miao[?] along the Han-yi [Hankow-Yichang] Highway, and operate along the line from Tien-men[Tianmen] to Pai-ma-miao[?] and Yu-yen-ling[Yanglin?].

- Right Flank Army was to send a force across the river south of Chung-hsiang [Zhongxiang] to attack the enemy west of Ching-shan [Xinshi]. Its main force would cross the river north of Chung-hsiang [Zhongxiang] and attack the enemy along the Ching-chung [Xinshi- Zhongxiang] Highway. Once the strong points are taken and communications cut the Army was to operate along the line from Ching-shan [Xinshi] to Sung-ho [Songhe] and Ping-pa [Pingba], preparing for subsequent attacks.

- Left Flank Army or (River East Army) was to attack with part of its forces from Ping-lin-shih [Pinglin] to Ma-ping [Maping] and Hsi-ho[Xihe], advance to the An-ying [Anlu-Yingshan] Highway and cut lines of communication behind enemy lines. Its main force was to attack the enemy at Sui Hsien[Suizhou] and Kuan-ti-miao[Guanmiao, 5km NW of Yingshan], mop up minor enemy strong points and operate in the vicinity of An-lu [Anlu], Ping-lin[Pinglin], and Ying-shan [Yingshan], preparing for subsequent attacks.

- Southern Honan Army was to employ a force to attack the enemy north of Ying-shan [Yingshan], Kuan-yin-tang [?] and Hsi-shuang-ho [Xishuanghe] and send a strong force to cut enemy lines of communications in the area of Kuang-shui[Guangshui] and Hsin-yang [Xinyang]. Its main force was to attack in the area of Hsin-yang[Xinyang] and occupy it. The Army would then operate along the line from Kuang-shui[Guangshui] to Wu-shen-kuan[?] preparing for a future offensive.

- Eastern Hupei Guerrilla force was to attack the enemy along the line from Kuang-shui[Guangshui] to Hsin-yang[Xinyang] with a regular force in conjunction with guerillas, cutting their line of communications. Its main force was to advance to the enemy rear areas at Kuang-shui [Guangshui], Hua-yuan [Huayuan] and Hankow to check enemy movement.

South China Offensive

4th War Area was to capture Swatow and Chao-chow[?] while its main forces mopped up Japanese 21st Army (18th, 38th, and 104th Divisions and the Guards Mixed Brigade), along the Canton Kowloon Railway making the transfer of reinforcements from Kwangtung to Kwanzi difficult. In Kwangzi at Nanning the battered reminants of the Japanese 5th Division and Taiwan Mixed Brigade was to be driven out.

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I am adding this article on this lesser known but major Chinese offensive of the Sino-Japanese War. It is based primarily on:

Hsu Long-hsuen and Chang Ming-kai, History of The Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) 2nd Ed., 1971. Translated by Wen Ha-hsiung, Chung Wu Publishing; 33, 140th Lane, Tung-hwa Street, Taipei, Taiwan Republic of China.

IJA in China orbat, 1937 to 1945 http://www.china-defense.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1168

Resistance and Revolution in China Tetsuya Kataoka UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS

Asiaticus 03:36, 15 June 2006 (UTC)