Green Apples CBI (id:#65131)

(Dispatches from the Bunker #49 ID: DB153)   [next]   [previous]

Kaiping, China 1945-07-12 (0 others)

Overview:

The Nationalist Chinese Operational Group planned to raise up to twenty company-sized Commando units to operate behind Japanese lines. These were to be trained by advisors from ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan’s O.S.S., with the first five Commandos formed from the Chinese 1st Parachute Regiment. Each Chinese Commando numbered some 154 Chinese soldiers and 19 U.S. advisors. The first Chinese Commando to conduct operations was the 1st Parachute Commando, codenamed ‘Apple’. The 1st Parachute Commando was to make their first combat jump south of the Xi Jiang River near Kaiping. Their task was to interdict Japanese transport along the river and local highways. The green soldiers of the 1st Parachute Commando ‘Apple’ had their first lesson in how fast combat operations could go wrong. The local Japanese forces quickly reacted to the presence of the Commandos, and the speed and scope of the reaction surprised the Chinese. The Commando Company decided to abort the mission, and they immediately retreated westwards with the Japanese forces hot on their heels.

Defender: Japanese (Local Elements of the Japanese 23rd Army)  

Errata (source)