The US Once Planned a Massive Invasion to Seize Taiwan
The Story of Operation Causeway
In the late 1920s, the US Navy and Army crafted a strategy, codenamed Operation Causeway, aiming to invade and seize Taiwan from Japanese occupation. The plan envisioned an amphibious assault led by hundreds of thousands of troops, supported by thousands of ships and aircraft.
Greenberg previously reported on the invasion of Taiwan and the struggles that would come with such an operation. This operation was also codenamed Operation Causeway. The operation was larger than the large-scale GLADIATOR amphibious assault planning, which started in 1944. The objective was to capture Taiwan, turning it into a base for strategic bombers and an invasion point for Japan.
The Challenges of Operation Causeway
The initial plan called for a massive invasion force: nearly 777,000 troops including six divisions of the US Marine Corps, B-29 bomber groups, and numerous naval support units. However, a key problem emerged — the Japanese had underestimated their own defenses, deploying 275,000 troops, including conscripted Taiwanese natives.
Ian Easton, an analyst at the China Maritime Studies Institute who wrote a new study on the invasion, stated, "Almost certainly, the invasion would have been a horrific spectacle and nightmarish ordeal. Far worse than any battle that was actually fought in the Pacific. The campaign would have been protracted and might have taken six months or even a year."
Taiwan Today
Despite the end of the Japanese occupation in 1945, Taiwan’s military remains influenced by Japanese doctrine and initiatives. Many military facilities, including some bunker complexes, were built with Japanese expertise. "Taiwanese military officers pay close attention to history, and especially the history of island warfare, urban warfare, and amphibious warfare," said Easton.
The modern Taiwanese defense complex uses advanced weaponry and relies on strong US support. This defense structure can pose formidable challenges to any nation seeking to carry out an amphibious invasion.
Lessons for China Today
A potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan today would face significant challenges. The Taiwanese military strategy is deeply rooted in the defensive tactics employed by the Japanese. Easton highlights, "Taiwanese forces are equipped with modern weaponry and strong US support, which complicates any potential invasion."
Moreover, the defense strategy involves a combination of conventional warfare and guerrilla tactics. "Taiwan’s defenders were determined to fight to the bitter end, and the defensive geography, stockpiles, and underground bunkers they had were extraordinary," according to Easton.
Key Takeaways
The historical context of Operation Causeway provides valuable lessons for contemporary military planning. Despite the success of D-Day and subsequent Pacific island seizures, a landing in Taiwan would have been vastly different and much more complex.
Conclusion
A Chinese invasion of Taiwan today would face significant obstacles due to the historical and modern defense infrastructure of Taiwan. The lessons learned from Operation Causeway serve as a reminder of the logistical and military challenges that would need to be overcome.
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