China Update

The Japanese, having secured all the major cities in eastern China including the ports, must now drive west into China’s interior. They have recently captured Nanchang, a small but strategically located rail junction town on the Changsha – Shanghai rail line. It is an essential jumping off point for any attack on Changsha, the logical first major objective in a renewed Japanese offensive. Changsha bars the way to the Nationalist capital at Chunking and the bulk of China’s relocated war industries essential to China’s continued resistance.

Once again the Japanese offensive pace is sluggish and their blows are not decisive. The Chinese appear to be massing for a counter-offensive.