Operation Causeway, a World War II plan to invade Taiwan, offers critical insights into modern military strategy and Taiwan’s defense against potential Chinese aggression. Is it time we started learning from the past?
At a Glance
- Operation Causeway was a massive WWII US plan to invade Japanese-held Taiwan
- The operation was abandoned due to high casualty risks and logistical challenges
- Taiwan’s current defenses are influenced by Japanese fortifications from WWII
- China studies historical invasions, including D-Day, for potential Taiwan operations
- Amphibious assaults remain complex and risky, posing significant challenges for potential invaders
Operation Causeway: A Cautionary Tale
During World War II, the United States conceived Operation Causeway, a plan to invade Japanese-occupied Taiwan. This operation, comparable in scale to D-Day, would have involved hundreds of thousands of troops and extensive naval and air support. However, top commanders ultimately deemed it a high-casualty risk, leading to its abandonment.
The scale and complexity of Operation Causeway highlight the enormous challenges associated with amphibious invasions – and these historical lessons continue to inform modern military strategy, particularly in the context of Taiwan’s defense against potential Chinese aggression.
We’ve been here before!
Underestimated Defenses and Prolonged Conflict
One of the key factors that led to the abandonment of Operation Causeway was the underestimation of Japanese defenses on Taiwan. The island’s garrison was larger and more heavily fortified than initially anticipated, presenting a formidable obstacle to invading forces.
“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,” Ian Easton said, the author of a study on the invasion published by the China Maritime Studies Institute recently said.
The Japanese preparations for a prolonged defense, including plans for guerilla warfare and extensive underground fortifications, underscore the challenges faced by invading forces. These historical defenses continue to influence Taiwan’s modern military strategies.
Today, Taiwan’s military continues to utilize facilities and strategies influenced by Japanese-built defenses from World War II. These historical fortifications, combined with modern weaponry and strong American support, pose significant challenges to any potential Chinese invasion attempt.
“Imperial Japanese and Formosan troops would have conducted a long, drawn-out fight in the cities and mountains. A guerilla warfare campaign was planned for after the conventional fighting came to an end. Taiwan’s defenders were determined to fight to the bitter end, and the defensive geography, stockpiles, and underground bunkers they had were extraordinary,” Easton also said.
The lessons learned from Operation Causeway and other historical amphibious assaults continue to shape military planning and strategy in the region. The potential for high casualties and operational difficulties in such operations could result in a pyrrhic victory for any invading force.
China’s Strategic Analysis
While Taiwan prepares its defenses, China has been studying historical invasions, particularly the Allied landing at Normandy, to inform its potential strategies for an assault on Taiwan. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been analyzing the Normandy campaign for decades, focusing on airpower, naval strategies, and the importance of air superiority.
Chinese military planners have noted the significance of factors such as sea mines, artificial ports, and the use of civilian ships in amphibious operations. They have also emphasized the role of airborne operations and the necessity of surprise and deception in warfare.
However, the complexity of amphibious assaults and the unique challenges posed by Taiwan’s geography and defenses make any potential invasion a high-risk endeavor. The lessons of Operation Causeway and other historical operations serve as a stark reminder of the costs and difficulties associated with such military actions.
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