The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files
Operation Ichi-Go: Japan’s Mostly Forgotten Last Big, Born-in-Taiwan War Offensive – S5-E24
Aug 15, 2025
Discover the untold story of Operation Ichi-Go, Japan's largest land offensive during World War II, launched from Taiwan. Explore the strategic roots of this campaign and the surprise U.S. bombing raid that reshaped the conflict. Dive into the brutal battles that forced Chinese nationalists into retreat and affected Allied strategies. The podcast also discusses the moral complexities of military tactics, the economic decline of wartime China, and reflections on the consequences of the atomic bombings—all woven with historical humor and insights.
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Thanksgiving Raid Sparks Alarm
- On November 25, 1943, 14 B-25s and 16 fighters from the US 14th Air Force raided the Shinchiku (Hsinchu) airbase in northwestern Taiwan.
- Pilots surprised parked Japanese aircraft and claimed 32 destroyed with no losses, marking the 14th Air Force's most successful raid so far.
Ichigo Aimed To Restore Japanese Supply Lines
- Japan launched Operation Ichigo to secure an overland transport route and destroy US air bases in China after US raids threatened the home islands.
- The plan aimed to link northern and southern holdings and protect shipping and resource lines back to Japan.
Scale And Logistics Of Ichigo
- Operation Ichigo mobilized roughly 500,000 men, about 80% of Japanese forces in China, plus tens of thousands of vehicles and up to 100,000 horses and mules.
- The campaign stretched nearly 1,500 miles from the Yellow River to the Vietnamese border through difficult inland terrain.
