Japanese Conquest of Asia
Following the Japanese attack on China in 1937, the Japanese sought to expand their empire farther into Southeast Asia. By 1942, Japan was at its strongest point in the war. It already conquered most of Southeast Asia, many of the islands in the Pacific, and had won key battles of the Pacific War. On this page, you will learn about the expansion of the Japanese empire through Asia up till 1942. You can learn about battles and conquest in the Pacific Ocean on the next page of the Pacific War.
Japanese Invasion of Indochina
Map of Indochina
Indochina is the former name given to what is presently Vietnam and parts of Laos and Cambodia. It was called Indochina during the time when the French colonized it. Indochina was right below China, and Japan planned to capture it. Indochina was located in a strategically advantageous place that would allow the Japanese to further invade South East Asia. In September 1940, Japan attacked and conquered Indochina. Earlier in the war in Europe, Germany conquered France, the mother-country to Indochina. A pro-axis government known as Vichy France was established in France. Vichy France surrendered to Japan after a counterattack against Japan in Indochina desperately failed. Japan got the right to station troops and move weapons and materials through Indochina. Japan became an axis power on September 27, 1940 after Indochina was captured. Keep in mind that the US didn't enter the war until December 1941, so as of now, the US isn't involved. The capture of Indochina lead to more conquest as it opened up a path to capture lands to the west and south of Indochina.
Japanese Invasion of Thailand
The next step on the Japanese agenda was to capture more territory such as Burma. However, as seen on the map to the left, Thailand was in the way of Japan's conquest to the west. The reason the Japanese invaded Thailand was to provide a passage way to British controlled Burma. The map on the left is a modern map, so let us analyze what the map would like in 1940. Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia was Japanese controlled Indochina. To the west of that was Thailand. Thailand was an independent nation. Thailand prided itself on never once being colonized. To the west of Thailand was British controlled Burma, the target of the Japanese. On the map, it says Myanmar which is what the present independent Burma is called. Back then, the British supported Thailand. Thailand served as a buffer state. It prevented the Japanese from invading Burma. Britain hoped to form an alliance with Thailand. The Japanese invaded Thailand on December 8, 1941. Thailand had a lot of pride and didn't give up. They tried to fight Japan, but they realized Japan was to powerful. Instead of turning to the UK, Thailand formed an alliance with Japan on December 21. Thailand became an axis power, declared war on the United States and the United Kingdom, and later assisted Japan in its conquest of Burma with its own troops.
Japanese Invasion of Malaya and Singapore
Malaya was a peninsula extending out from Southeast Asia that was under British rule during the Pacific War. It is not to be confused with Malaysia which is the name of the country it became a part of after its independence. Singapore was a city on the Malayan Peninsula. Japan wanted to occupy Malaya for its abundance of rubber and tin. Also, invading Malaya would mean British defeat in Southeast Asia. The Japanese began their attack at midnight on December 8, 1941. This is the same day they attacked Thailand. Instead of a bombardment of the Malayan coastline by the Japanese Imperial Navy, they landed their men on the coastline to maintain an element of surprise. The Japanese attacked the city of Kota Bharu. The fighting there was known as the Battle of Kota Bharu. It was the first major battle between Allied Forces and Japan in the Pacific War. The Allied forces present were the British forces from India and Australia. The Battle of Kota Bharu ended in defeat for the Allies. The British army retreated. The rest of the fighting resulted in British retreat. Eventually, the Japanese captured Kuala Lumpur on January 11, 1942. Kuala Lumpur was the main base of the British forces. The British had to retreat to Singapore. Singapore finally surrendered to the Japanese after being attacked on February 15. Malaya was conquered.
Japanese Invasion of Burma
Japan wanted to conquer Burma because of its abundant natural resources. Burma had many oil reserves as well as the mineral cobalt, which had many uses. On top of that, Burma had an immeasurable amount of rice that could feed the soldiers and strengthen the army. Burma also had the Burma Road. The Burma Road linked the Burmese capitol Rangoon all the way to China. This road was ideal for the transportation of materials. Burma under Japanese rule could make the Japanese a lot more powerful. On the side of the Allies were the UK, the US, the Republic of China, and the Indian Empire which was under the rule of the UK. The Japanese Empire had forces from Thailand on its side. Japan convinced anti-British revolutionaries in Burma to join the side of the Axis and fight against their British enemies. On January 20, 1942, the Axis attacked Point Victoria, which is the southern most point of Burma. The attack wasn't very effective. The Axis wanted to capture the capitol city of Rangoon. That would make it easier to capture Burma. The Allies did everything in their power to stop the Axis from capturing Rangoon, but they eventually realized that the capture of Rangoon was inevitable. The Allies turned to scorched earth tactics. Scorched earth is the military strategy of burning all supplies while you are retreating, so the enemy can't use them. The Allies burned down the port and the oil terminal on March 7. They left the city in flames. The Allies tried to continue the war in Central Burma, but the Burma Independence army's constant attacks alongside with the Japanese army, which had just received supplies from captured Singapore, was too much. The Allies began a hasty retreat to India. Japan had successfully captured Burma on May 20, 1942. At this point, the Japanese Empire was at its strongest.