Can China learn lessons from WW2 when the US planed to invade Taiwan, with Japan Defending

Taiwan (ROC) Major Military Bases - Most Originally Built by Japan, but extensively modernized

China Maritime Report #42: “Invasion Plans: Operation Causeway & Taiwan’s Defense in World War II”

Summary

China Maritime Report (CMR) #42, “Invasion Plans” is about Operation CAUSEWAY, the American plan to invade Taiwan during World War II.

Ultimately, the invasion was aborted and related documents were sealed in classified vaults or burned to maintain secrecy. Uncertainties have long surrounded how Imperial Japanese forces on Taiwan – then called Formosa – deterred a much-stronger U.S. military, and what planners at the time believed would happen had the operation taken place.

What lessons might the past have to teach warfighters in the present day about the future of conflict?

By revisiting the history of Taiwan-focused war plans, we may better assess current challenges and develop insights that could inform future strategic, operational, and tactical decisions.

This masterpiece is the thorough research of CMSI’s own, Professor Ian Easton. Professor Easton’s report is based on declassified documents from the war, including U.S. military plans, dispatches, and intelligence estimates. It also draws from Taiwanese military studies and history books on Japan’s preparations to defend the island.

It contains images of rarely seen plans and maps previously buried deep within archives. The pictures, graphics, and tables contained in this CMR make Operation CAUSEWAY come to life. In short – this is your definitive guide to a chapter of history you likely don’t know much about.

Background of the study:

This report examines the historical details of Operation CAUSEWAY, the planned U.S. invasion of Taiwan (called Formosa at the time) during World War II. It analyzes the strategic importance of Taiwan, the development of the invasion plan, and Japan's preparations to defend the island.

Research objectives and hypotheses:
The main objectives of this study are to:
  1. Understand Taiwan's early role in U.S. war plans and the evolution of Operation CAUSEWAY.
  2. Examine Japan's plans and preparations for the defense of Taiwan against the expected U.S. invasion.
  3. Explore what might have happened if the U.S. invasion had gone forward as planned.
  4. Analyze the contemporary views of Taiwanese experts on the lessons from this history and its implications for Taiwan's defense strategy.
Methodology:
The report is based on a thorough review of declassified documents from the U.S. government, including military plans, dispatches, and intelligence estimates. It also draws from Taiwanese military studies and history books on Japan's preparations to defend Taiwan during World War II.

Results and findings:
The key findings include:
  • - The U.S. had long viewed Taiwan as a strategically important target, and Operation CAUSEWAY was planned to be the largest amphibious campaign in the Pacific Theater.
  • - Japan heavily fortified Taiwan, creating a dense network of underground fortifications, airfields, and stockpiles to defend against the expected U.S. invasion.
  • - U.S. intelligence underestimated the strength of Japan's defenses on Taiwan, which likely would have inflicted heavy casualties on the American forces.
  • - Taiwanese military officers have studied this history to improve their own defense plans, highlighting the need for stockpiling, updating beach defenses, mobilizing societal support, and preparing for a protracted, layered defense campaign.
Discussion and interpretation:
The history of Operation CAUSEWAY and Japan's defense of Taiwan provides valuable insights into the challenges facing war planners on both sides. It suggests that deterrence can work, but it requires tremendous effort and preparation. The U.S. and Taiwan may be capable of preventing a Chinese invasion, but only if they invest heavily in strengthening their defenses.

Contributions to the field:
This report offers a detailed historical analysis of a lesser-known aspect of World War II, which has contemporary relevance for understanding the challenges of defending Taiwan against a potential Chinese invasion. It provides a unique perspective by drawing on both U.S. and Taiwanese sources.

Achievements and significance:
By revisiting this history, the report offers insights that could inform future strategic, operational, and tactical decisions related to the defense of Taiwan. It highlights the importance of intelligence, logistics, and human factors in determining the outcome of amphibious operations.

Limitations and future work:
The report is limited by the availability of declassified materials, particularly from the Chinese perspective. Future research could explore additional sources to further understand China's current war planning for Taiwan. Continued study of historical lessons and their application to contemporary challenges is crucial for enhancing the defense of Taiwan.

 

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