What Special Forces did China use in World War 2?
| Page Created |
| July 19th, 2022 |
| Last Updated |
| August 26th, 2024 |
| China |
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| Other Countries |
| Australia Belgium China Canada Finland France Germany Great Britain Greece India Italy Japan Nepal New Zealand Norway Poland Rhodesia The Netherlands The Philippines The Soviet Union The United States Yugoslavia Inter-Allied |
| During World War II, China’s military faced the formidable task of defending against Japanese invasion. Amidst the broader national struggle, special forces units played a crucial yet often underappreciated role. These elite groups, comprised of highly trained soldiers, were instrumental in conducting guerrilla warfare, sabotage operations, and intelligence gathering behind enemy lines. One of the elements that preformed Special Forces taks was the Chinese Communist Eighth Route Army, which became synonymous with unconventional warfare. Operating in the vast and challenging terrains of northern China, they utilised hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, and sabotage to disrupt Japanese supply lines and communication networks. Their knowledge of the local terrain and support from civilian populations made them a significant thorn in the side of the Japanese forces. Another key element of China’s special forces was the Kuomintang’s guerrilla units, which were similarly engaged in behind-the-lines operations. These units, although often lacking the same level of organisation and discipline as their communist counterparts, still managed to inflict substantial damage on Japanese forces and provided crucial intelligence to the Allied powers. Furthermore, China’s special forces were occasionally supplemented by Allied training and support, particularly from the United States. The American Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency, provided training to Chinese guerrilla fighters and helped to coordinate joint operations. Overall, while China’s special forces during World War II may not have had the same recognition or resources as those of other nations, their contribution to the war effort was significant, helping to weaken Japanese occupation forces and bolstering the broader Chinese resistance movement. |
| Organisations | |
| Communist Eighth Route Army | |
| Kuomintang Guerrilla Units |
| Small Units | |
| Commandos |
| Battalion | |
| 1st Chinese Parachute Regiment | |
| 1st Chinese Regiment (Separate) |