Did Japan actually plan to invade India?

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AHardDaysNight
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Did Japan actually plan to invade India?

#1

Post by AHardDaysNight » 20 Sep 2017, 17:32

After the various victories against the British in Malaya and Burma etc did the Japanese have any plans drawn up for invading India or not?

If so would it end up failing for the Japanese?

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Re: Did Japan actually plan to invade India?

#2

Post by OpanaPointer » 20 Sep 2017, 19:35

Japan was mainly interested in keeping the British from helping the Chinese. The Burma Road was their main means of doing this. Therefore, neutralizing Burma was a Japanese strategic goal. Subdas Chandra Bose was hoping to lead an Indian army of independence if the British collapsed or something equally unlikely happened, but Japan didn't need to fight in India as well as everywhere else their rapid gains had strained their military.
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Aber
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Re: Did Japan actually plan to invade India?

#3

Post by Aber » 20 Sep 2017, 22:01

AHardDaysNight wrote:After the various victories against the British in Malaya and Burma etc did the Japanese have any plans drawn up for invading India or not?

If so would it end up failing for the Japanese?
Yes -see Operation U-Go which culminated in the Battle of Kohima

maltesefalcon
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Re: Did Japan actually plan to invade India?

#4

Post by maltesefalcon » 21 Sep 2017, 01:12

I will have to look further but I believe there was a collective desire in the Axis to form a land continuity, uniting the Japanese Empire with that of German and Italy.
It turned out to be a pipe dream of course but the logical candidates would include India to some extent. They would at least establish some naval and air bases there.

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Re: Did Japan actually plan to invade India?

#5

Post by OpanaPointer » 21 Sep 2017, 01:52

maltesefalcon wrote:I will have to look further but I believe there was a collective desire in the Axis to form a land continuity, uniting the Japanese Empire with that of German and Italy.
It turned out to be a pipe dream of course but the logical candidates would include India to some extent. They would at least establish some naval and air bases there.
Yep, total bollocks. "Meet in the middle, and you can have all those Indians if you want them, Tojo." Japan couldn't beat China.
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T. A. Gardner
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Re: Did Japan actually plan to invade India?

#6

Post by T. A. Gardner » 23 Sep 2017, 06:35

Eventually, yes. But, in 1941 - 42, no. By the time the IJA reached the Indian border at Kohima and Impal they were completely out of steam. They had noting left to advance with. They did try later but by then the British had built up their forces sufficiently to stave off the offensive.

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