740.0011 P.W./5–1945: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 19—12:35 p.m.]
805. Following is summary of M[ilitary] A[ttaché]’s report for week ending May 19:
The threat to Allied air base at Chihkiang was eased by the continued enemy withdrawal from western Hunan with the Chinese reportedly in hot pursuit. The Japanese drive to neutralize this base has therefore apparently failed, and the results of the last few weeks’ fighting in western Hunan may be termed an Allied victory as the Chinese ground forces, aided by excellent American air support, have resisted the substantial Japanese force deployed against them. It is difficult to estimate whether the same results would have been obtained if the Japanese, in a determined effort to reach their objective, had brought into play their reserves, the fact remains that further enemy penetration into western Hunan has been averted and the Allied base at Chihkiang has been saved.
Reports dealing with large scale enemy troop movements in China may explain the Japanese withdrawal.
According to Chinese intelligence, the enemy have abandoned their plans for occupation of further territory in China, and second rate Japanese units with the assistance of Manchurians and puppets will largely replace combat troops now in the interior. Such combat troops, it is understood, are to be moved to more vital coastal regions, perhaps to the north of the Yangtze, to prepare for an Allied invasion. [Page 107] Increased Japanese troop movements have been noted on all lines of communication, mainly from the interior to the coast and from South China northwards. Certain divisions which had been used in recent campaigns or had been stationed in the interior have been replaced by new units and have been identified on the coast or moving toward it (for example the 35th Division from Ichang and the 27th and 104th Divisions which had participated in the capture of the Allied air bases in Kiangsi and the Hankow–Canton Railway). It is as yet too early to make a positive evaluation of this movement but as further identifications of divisions are made, more concrete proof may become available to substantiate this estimate. There are indications of a Japanese withdrawal from Foochow and other coastal towns in South China.
The coolness of Russia’s attitude toward the Japanese, the American victories in the Pacific and the termination of the European war are all important factors influencing Japanese strategy, and moves away from the interior of China toward real menaces elsewhere should come as no surprise.
Allied air activities continued to be confined to bombing of enemy supply lines and installations throughout the theater and to giving support to ground operations in Honan and Hunan.