Operation Ichi-Go!
On April 7th, 1944 the war in China changed completely. The Japanese launched Operation Ichi-Go (Operation Number 1) and began Japan’s largest land offensive of WWII. 400,000 troops, 800 tanks and 1,500 artillery pieces attacked in a two prong offensive designed to accomplish three major objectives.
First, open an alternate land route for moving raw materials from Southeast Asia to Japan. By now shipping via the South China Sea had become too dangerous due to USN submarines and air attacks.
Second, destroy the US 14th Air Force and take control of their air bases in Southern China. American air power starting with the AVG, the CATF and now the 14th AF had been a constant threat to Japanese military operations in China. Now an even larger threat loomed; the possibility of B-29 operations based in China attacking the home islands.
Third, knock China out of the war once and for all, freeing up military resources that could be used to help halt the Allied advance in both the Pacific and Southwest Pacific theatres.
For the 14th Air Force and the IJAAF the pace of operations during Ichi-Go was intense. Men and machines were pushed to their limit and beyond. Loses of aircrews and aircraft were heavy on both sides. For the Americans, Ichi-Go was a parallel to the AVG’s experiences in the first half of 1942. It was a game of cat and mouse with no holds barred. Pilots of the 23rd FG would fly air to air, dive bombing, escort, intercept and strafing attacks hitting trains, river barges, troop concentrations, airfields and supply dumps. The Chinese army fought valiantly, with the garrision at Hengyang holding out for six weeks before being overrun by elite units of the Japanese Kwantung Army.
It was during Ichi-Go that the 23rd FG began encountering Japanese Tony and Frank fighters along with the Tojos’s and Oscars. There’s a story of a lone Oscar pilot who took on four P-51’s and fought them to a draw. The Mustangs bugging out when all of their ammo had been exhausted. The Japanese Oscar pilot’s identity remains a mystery. But to the men of the 23rd, he would be known as the “Kiukiang Ace”.
Allies (Bishops)
- P-40N
- P-38J
- P-51B
- B-25H
Axis (Knights)
- Ki-43
- Ki-61
- Ki-84
- G4M
