Key Facts
- Duration
- 25–30 November 1940 (6 days)
- Theater
- Central Hubei, east and west of Hsiang River
- Japanese objective
- Secure flanks at I-chang and locate Tang Enbo's Army
- Context
- Followed Battle of Zaoyang-Yichang, summer 1940
Strategic Narrative Overview
In late November 1940 the Japanese launched a short offensive lasting six days against Chinese forces positioned between the Wu-tang and Tung-po Mountains. Chinese lines ran from southwest of Yuan-an through Ching-men, north of Chung-hsiang, and northwest of Sui Hsien. Japanese sources indicate a secondary aim was to locate the Army of Tang Enbo. Coordinated Chinese guerrilla forces in the southeast continued to harass Japanese positions throughout the operation.
01 / The Origins
Following the Battle of Zaoyang-Yichang in summer 1940, Japanese forces held I-chang and Sha-shih while Chinese National Revolutionary Army units controlled territory east and west of the Hsiang River. Chinese guerrilla activity repeatedly struck Japanese positions, threatening their flanks. The Japanese determined that the exposed positions at I-chang and Sha-shih required action to neutralize persistent Chinese pressure in the surrounding region.
03 / The Outcome
The operation concluded by 30 November 1940. Japanese forces failed to locate Tang Enbo's Army, disappointing a key intelligence objective. The source provides no detail on territorial gains, casualty figures, or a decisive outcome, suggesting the offensive produced limited strategic results and the broader front stabilized in the same general configuration as before.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Tang Enbo.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.