Figure 1.--

The primary Japanese objective as it moved to war was seize control of China. This was clear from an early point with the first Sino-Japanese War (1894-95). And the Japanese made in clear with their Twent-One Demands (1915). This was different thas the NAZI General-Plan Ost. They did not want to replace the Chinese population, although they did attempt to colonize Manchuria after they seized it. They did want to control Chinese markets and gain access to Chinese natural resources. The Chinese refused to surrender The Japanese decided that the way to finally win the war in China was to go to war with Britain and America. This extended the War to Southeast Asia and the Pacific. What the Japanese called the Southern Resource Zone. The Allies called the Asian part of the campaign, the China, Burma, India theater (CBI). The Japanese managed to seized Malaya, Singapore and Burma, but were stopped at the Indian border. The Pacific part of the theater was the scene of some of the greatest naval battles of history. They enjoyed a substantial superiority in forces, but were unable to defeat the depleted American Pacific Fleet. The Japanese had a major problem with the land engagements. Most of their army was in China and they had only a limited capability to move them into the Pacific. And the Japanese Army commanders that engaged the Americans proved inept, wasting their men in frontal assaults against entrenched American troops supported by artillery. After Guadalcanal, the Japanese land operations were almost entirely defensive in the Pacific.

Created: 5:57 AM 12/3/2023
Last updated: 5:57 AM 12/3/2023