Most of the following is taken from the narrative in Hsu Long-hsuen and Chang Ming-kai, History of The Sino-Japanese War
Page 319-334 and Map 19 posted above. I have tried to ID the current names of localities and if possible name the units involved if not mentioned in the text, since there was no orbat for either side listed there.
The IJA in China orbat, 1937 to 1945, posted posted on the China Defense forum:
http://www.china-defense.com/forum/show ... php?t=1168 , was helpful in locating the Japanese units
So too was the map 1 from Resistance and Revolution posted at:
http://content.cdlib.org:8088/xtf/view? ... view=print
The Expedia find a map page:
http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?qscr=mmfn
is a great help in geting a good topo map to understand the situation and locate places named in the narrative.
As always contributions, corrections, comments welcome.
asiaticus
-------------
Chinese Winter Offensive (Late Nov 1939 - Late March 1940)
Part 2 Central China and South China Offensive Plan
Central China Offensive
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 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.
3rd War Area
- 23rd Army Group
--50th Corps, 3 Divisions
--21st Corps, 3 Divisions
--86th Corps, 3 Divisions
--25th Corps, 3 Divisions
--18th Corps, 2 Divisions
Japan [2]
13th Army
116th Division (along the Yangtze between Hokou to Wuhu)
15th Division (along the Yangtze near Wuhu)
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.
- Right Flank Army
- 21st Corps?
--- 146th Division?
--- 148th Division?
--- ? Division ?
- 50th Corps
-- 144th Division
-- 145th Division?
-- 79th Division
79th and 144th Divisions are known to have been in this Right Flank Army as was 50th Corps. 50th Corps had 144 and 145 Divisions and 21st Corps later in 1942 had 146th, 147th and 148th Division with it. My guess is that 147th Division was detached 18th Corps in this operation only. Units with ? Are my conjecture based on the narrative.
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.
- Central Army
--86th Corps ?
--- 16th Division
--- 67th Division
--- ? Division
--25th Corps
--- 10th Reserve Division
--- 40th Division
--- 190th Division
10th Reserve, 16th, 40th, 67th and 190th Divisions are known to have been in Central Army as was 25th Corps. 25th Corps had been with 32nd Group Army in the attack on Nanchang with 10th Reserve, 16th, 67th and 79th Divisions in early 1939. These had probably been shot up pretty badly in the battle and needed to be rebuilt and probably reassigned for this offensive. The battle narrative indicates the 40th and 67th Divisions relieved 10th Reserve and 16th Divisions after they suffered big losses so were probably in the same Corps. 86th Corps later in 1942 had 16th and 67th Division still with it and 25th Corps had 40th Division. Units assignments to Corps are my conjecture based on the narrative.
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[?].
- Left Flank Army
-- 18th Corps - ?
--- 147th Division - ?
--- ? Division - ?
18th Corps and 147th Division are mentioned as being with the Left Flank Army in the narrative.
Additionally
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.
3rd War Area
- 10th Army Group
-- 192nd Division
-- 62nd Division
- 2nd Resistance and Defense column
- 6th Resistance and Defense column
- 8th Resistance and Defense column
- 3rd District Self Defense Group
Japan [2]
13th Army
22nd Division [Hangchow area]
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.
9th War Area
- 15th Army Group - Kuan Lin-cheng [acting] ?
-- 79th Corps - Hsia Chu-chung ?
--- 98th Division - Wang Chia-pen ?
--- 82nd Division - Lo Chi-chiang ?
--- 140th Division - Li Tang ?
--- 2 Replacement Regiments.
-- 4th Corps - Ou Chen?
--- 59th Division? - Chang Teh-neng?
--- 90th Division? - Chen Yung-chi?
--- 102nd Division? - Po Hui-chang?
6th War Area
- 53rd Corps
-- 116th Division (part)
Japan [2]
11th Army
- 6th Division [Yueh-yang area]
(The 4th and 79th Corps and its 82nd, 98th and 140th Divisions and the two Replacement Regiments are mentioned in the narrative as being with this Army Group and were the units and leaders in 15th Army Group during the First Changsha Campaign (Early Aug. - Early Oct. 1939) that immediately preceded the Winter Offensive. The 4th Corps' divisions listed here are the same ones with the 4th Corps in the same battle. Because they were in reserve in that battle it is my conjecture they would have remained the same. Units and commanders marked ? Are my conjecture based on the narrative and First Changsha orbat.)
27th Army Group was to attack the Canton-Hangkow Railway at Puchi and Hsien-ning[Xianning] and advance on Wu-chang.
- 27th Army Group - Yang Sen?
-- 20th Corps - Yang Han-yu?
--- 133rd Division? - Li Chao-ying?
--- 134th Division? - Yang Kan-tsai?
--- ? Division - ?
-- 73rd Corps - Peng Wei-jen?
--- 15th Division? - Wang Chih-pin?
--- 77th Division? - Liu Chi-ming?
--- ? Division - ?
-- 70th Corps - Li Chueh
--- 3rd Division - ?
--- 19th Division - Tang Ying-po?
---107th Division? - Tuan Heng?
Japan [2]
11th Army
- 6th Division [Yueh-yang area]
- 40th Division [South of Hankow]
- 33rd Divison [South and west of Juijiang]
The 20th and 73rd Corps (but not their divisions or leaders) and 70th Corps with 3rd and 19th Divisions are mentioned in the narrative as being with 27th Army Group. I a have listed the same division units for 20th, and 73rd Corps and their leaders in 27th Army Group during the First Changsha Campaign (Early Aug. - Early Oct. 1939) that immediately preceded the Winter Offensive. These two Corps might have another division attached for the offensive as other Corps in the major columns for the Offensive seems to have done. From other orbats before and after this date it seems 70th Corps usually had 19th Division and 107th Division with it. 3rd Division was reinforcement for the offensive only as it is not at Changsha as the 107th Division was in orbats before and after. Units and commanders marked ? Are my conjecture based on the narrative and First Changsha and Shangkao Campaign (Mid March 1941) orbats.
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.
- 30th Army Group - Wang Ling-chi?
-- 78th Corps - Hsia Shou-hsun?
--- New 13th Division? - Liu Juo-pi?
--- New 16th Division? - Wu Shao-chuan?
-- 72nd Corps - Han Chuan-pu ?
--- New 14th Division? - Chen Liang-chi?
--- New 15th Division? - Fu-yi?
-- 8th Corps - Li Yu-tang ?
---- 3rd Division - Chao His-tien ?
---- 197th Division? - Ting Ping-chun ?
-- 1st Advance Column - Kung Ho-chung
--- Hupei Peace Preservation Regiment - Pi Tsung-yung
-- 3rd Advance Column - Chung Shih-pan
--- 4th Kiangsi Preservation Regiment - Cheng Chih-ching
--- 5th Kiangsi Preservation Regiment - Chung Shih-pan
--- 9th Kiangsi Preservation Regiment - Hsu Pu-chih
Japan [2]
11th Army
- 40th Division [South of Hankow]
- 18th Independent Mixed Brigade [Juijiang area]
- 33rd Divison [South and west of Juijiang]
The 8th, 72nd and 78th Corps (but not their divisions or leaders) and and 1st and 3rd Advance Column are mentioned in the narrative as being with 30th Army Group. I a have listed the same division units for 8th, 72nd and 78th Corps and 1st and 3rd Advance Column and their leaders in 30th Army Group during the First Changsha Campaign (Early Aug. - Early Oct. 1939) that immediately preceded the Winter Offensive.
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].
-19th Army Group - Lo Cho-ying?
-- 32nd Corps - Sun Ken-tang?
--- 139th Division - Li Chao-ying?
--- 141st Division - Tang Yung-hang?
--- 131st Division - ?
-- 58th Corps / 1st Army Group - Sun Tu?
--- New 10th Division? - Liu Cheng-fu?
--- New 11th Division? - Lu Tao-yuan?
-- 60th Corps / 1st Army Group - An En-pu?
--- 183rd Division? - Li Chao-ying?
--- 184th Division - Wan Pao-pang?
3rd War Area
- 32nd Army Group
-- 29th Corps?
Japan [2]
11th Army
- 14th Independent Mixed Brigade [Juijiang area]
- 33rd Divison [South and west of Juijiang]
- 34th Divison [Nanchang area]
Narrative lists the 32nd Corps (with 131st and 141st Divisions), 58th and 60th Corps all under 19th Army Group in this campaign. In the Changsha campaign just before, the above listed Divisions for 58th and 60th Corps were under 1st Army Group with those commanders and 32nd Corps had 139th and 141st Divisions only. My guess is that all remained the same and 131st Division was reinforcement as it was not in the Changsha orbat.
Narrative lists no units of the 32nd Army Group in this campaign. In the 4/1939 Nanchang campaign orbat it had 25th and 29th Corps and mentions seven divisions, five of these and 25th Corps appear in the 23rd Army Group of 3rd War Area. 29th Corps could have still been there but it next appears in the orbat of 5th War Area in 1941.
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?].
- River North Army
-- Advance force
--- 75th Corps (less one division) - Chao Ai?
---- 6th Division
---- 13th Division
--- 41st Division
--- 128th Division
--- Central Hupei Guerillas
-- Main force -
--- 32nd Division
--- 49th Division
--- 55th Division
-- 4th Reserve Division
Japan[2]
11th Army
- 13th Division [Yingcheng, Anlu, Xinshi area]
In the narrative all the forces are listed except the subordinate units of the 75th Corps which had the 6th, 13th and 4th Cavalry Divisions under Chao Ai during the Tsaoyang-Yichang Campaign (Mid April 1940), immediately after this campaign.
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.
- Right Flank Army
-- 33rd Army Group?
--- 55th Corps, less 1 division - Tsao Fu-lin
---- 74th Division
--- 59th Corps - Huang Wei-kang
---- 38th Division ?
---- 180th Division ?
---- 9th Cavalry Division ?
--- 77th Corps, less 1 division - Feng Chih-an
---- 37th Division ?
---- 132nd Division ?
---- 179th Division ?
-- 29th Army Group, less 1 brigade
---44th Corps - Liao Chen
---- 149th Division ?
---- 150th Division ?
--- 67th Corps - Hsu Shao-tsung
---- 161st Division ?
---- 162nd Division ?
Japan[2]
11th Army
- 13th Division [Yingcheng, Anlu, Xinshi area]
In the narrative all the Right Flank Army forces are listed as Army Groups and Corps omitting the subordinate units and commanders. However the orbats of 5th War area of the Sui-Tsaoyang Campaign (Late April - Mid May, 1939) that preceaded the Winter Offensive and the succeading Tsaoyang-Yichang Campaign (Mid April 1940), show the assigned leaders and divisions remained the same except the 55th Corps was reduced to the 74th Division according to the narrative and 77th Corps was reduced by one division for the Winter Offensive, I am guessing it was the 9th Cavalry missing from the 77th Corps because it was with 59th Corps cavalry during the later Tsaoyang-Yichang Campaign.
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.
- Left Flank Army (River East Army)
-- 22nd Army Group - Wang Tsan-hsu
-- 45th Corps - Chen Ting-hsun ?
--- 125th Division
--- 127th Division
-- 41st Corps - Sun Chen?
--- 122nd Division
--- 124th Division
-- 39th Corps - Liu Ho-ting
--- 34th Division ?
--- 56th Division
-- 1st Guerrilla Column
Japan [2]
11th Army
- 13th Division [Yingcheng, Anlu, Xinshi area]
In the narrative all the Left Flank Army forces are listed with the exception of the 34th Division but all the other units and leaders seem to have been the same between the Sui-Tsaoyang Campaign (Late April - Mid May, 1939) that preceaded the Winter Offensive and the succeading Tsaoyang-Yichang Campaign (Mid April 1940).
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.
- Southern Honan Army
- 2nd Army Group - Sun Lien-chung
-- 68th Corps - Liu Ju-ming
--- 119th Division
--- 143rd Division
-- 30th Corps - Wang Chung-lien
--- 27th Division
--- 30th Division
--- 31st Division
-- 92nd Corps - Li Hsien-chao
--- 21st Division ?
--- 47th Division ?
-- Honan-Hupei Border Area Guerilla Group
Japan[2]
11th Army
- 3rd Division [in Xinyang, Dabie Shan mountain area]
In the narrative all the Southern Honan Army forces are listed for all but the 92nd Corps. 92nd Corps units and leaders appear in the immediately following Tsaoyang-Yichang Campaign (Mid April 1940).
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.
- Eastern Hupei Guerrilla force
-- Regular and guerrilla force
---7th Corps Wang Tsan-pin?
---- 171st Division ?
---- 172nd Division ?
--- 3rd Guerilla Division?
--- 4th Guerilla Division?
-- Main force - Cheng Ju-hai?
--- 16th Guerilla Division ?
--- 19th Guerilla Division ?
--- 11th Guerilla Regiment ?
Japan[2]
11th Army
- 3rd Division [in Xinyang, Dabie Shan mountain area]
- 39th Division [In the area on the two sides Hankou - Beijing RR from Wucheng northward and east of this. area.]
In the narrative the Eastern Hupei Guerrilla force had developed from the 21st Army Group and other forces that had been isolated in the Western Dabie Shan mountains during the Wuhan Campaign. During the Sui-Tsaoyang Campaign (Late April - Mid May, 1939) the 21st Army Group was still made up of regular units:
- 21st Army Group - Liao Lei
--7th Corps - Chang Kan
--- 171st Division -
--- 172nd Division -
--48th Corps - Chang Yi-chun
--- 138th Division -
--- 176th Division -
After the Winter Offensive in the Tsaoyang-Yichang Campaign (Mid April 1940), the Chinese had converted their regular forces into guerrilla forces:
- Eastern Hupei Guerilla Force
-- 7th Corps - Wang Tsan-pin
--- 171st Guerilla Division
--- 172nd Guerilla Division
--- 3rd Guerilla Division
--- 4th Guerilla Division
-- Commander Cheng Ju-hai
--- 16th Guerilla Division
--- 19th Guerilla Division
--- 11th Guerilla Regiment
It would seem from the narrative that during the Winter Offensive this change was underway and from the name of the units the 7th Corps 171st and 172nd Divisions still may have provided the regular troop contingent. Leaders are unknown.
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.
(For details on this part of the Winter Offensive see the article on the Southern Kuangsi Campaign)
Next: Part 3 will cover the actual execution of the North China Winter Offensive. Part 4 will cover the Central China Offensive activities.
Sources:
[1] 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.
Page 294 Chinese orbat Nanchang Campaign (Mid Feb. - Early May 1939)
Page 301 Chinese orbat Sui - Tsaoyang Campaign (Late April, 1939)
Pg. 303-311 Chinese orbat First Changsha Campaign (Early Aug. - Early Oct. 1939)
Page 319-334 Chinese Winter Offensive (Late Nov 1939 - Late March 1940)
Map 19
Page 335 Chinese orbat Tsaoyang-Yichang Campaign (Mid April 1940)
[2] IJA in China orbat, 1937 to 1945
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