"Japanese Offensive Tactics" Topic

"In the past envelopment in Japanese tactics has always been closely identified with attack. Attack by single or double flank envelopment is a favorite Japanese tactic. In fact, a study of Japanese offensive operations indicates that envelopment is sometimes used as if it were an end in itself. By placing bodies of troops across the enemy line of communications the Japanese attempt to compel their opponents either to attack them or withdraw, even when other types of attack would appear to promise better results.

Japanese strategy and major tactics in the offense against well-equipped forces offer the defender two alternatives--to attack the Japanese often on ground favorable to the defense, or to give up ground. In the first Burma campaign, from the time that the Japanese crossed the Salween River at Moulmein until the last action at Shwegyin on the Chindwin there are very few recorded instances of deliberate attacks. Rather was their superior mobility used to force us [the British] to attack troops who had succeeded in occupying a position behind us. The Japanese chose an area on the line of communication to hold which would cause us the maximum embarrassment and the focal point of the battle which ensued was often a road block. In fact, the Japanese fought defensively in country peculiarly suited to the defense. One big exception to this method during the first Burma campaign was an attack launched against one of our regiments at Kyaukse; here the Japanese suffered considerable losses and the attack failed completely…"
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