December 1941，Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor，Pacific War breaks out。New Year’s Day 1942，中文、Su、美、26 anti-fascist countries led by Britain signed the "United National Declaration"，Marks the formal formation of the world’s anti-fascist united front。Then，When Japan was stuck in the quagmire of bet365 ohio promo code aggression against China，Why further expand bet365 ohio promo code aggression？In addition to changes in the overall international situation，Under the tenacious resistance of the Chinese military and civilians，Japanese military and political leaders lack confidence in directly opening up the dilemma of invading China，So it’s a desperate move，Attempting to get out of the predicament by launching a new military adventure，This is an important factor affecting its decision to "go south"。

　　Containing the main force of bet365 ohio promo code on the Chinese battlefield

China’s War of Resistance Contained Japan’s “Southern Advance”，Making the Japanese army trapped in the quagmire of war on the Chinese battlefield and unable to extricate themselves。After the autumn of 1939，Japan’s domestic economic situation is difficult，National power is declining，Eager to escape from bet365 ohio promo code aggression against China。But the Japanese Army General Staff Headquarters lamented，Various politics、Economy、Strategies and other methods all lead to no results，Force attack has proved to be no way out，The Japanese army has reached a stalemate on the Chinese battlefield。Emperor Hirohito expressed，Even if it is just to maintain the strategic posture in China，We also have to worry about whether Japan’s finances can survive。And the great changes in the situation in Europe，It made the Japanese army hope to use external forces to solve the dilemma of invading China。June 1940，Germany defeated the British and French forces in a blitzkrieg，The Japanese army changed its original pessimistic expectation of shrinking in the Chinese battlefield，Believe that changes in the international situation will prompt Japan to invade China and create new situations。July 27，The Japanese base camp government liaison meeting adopted the "Outline for Handling the Current Situation to Adapt to the Evolution of the World Situation"，Place bet365 ohio promo code aggression against China in the international context，Place "Southward Advancement" and "Handling the Incident in China" as Japan's national goals，Requires complete blockade through "Southward Movement"、Isolate China。Summer 1941，This trend is accelerating，The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made a keen judgment: "Japan adopts a more adventurous policy toward the south"。

The Japanese authorities regard cutting off foreign aid for the Anti-Japanese War as an important means to induce China to surrender。Japanese General Staff Headquarters believes，In the military，The Japanese army has reached North China、Central China、South China’s strategy、Political important areas are all under our control；In politics，Also exhausted all methods to induce surrender。But，Still see no hope of getting out of the war，The only remaining method is to cut off the external communication channels that are the lifeblood of China’s war of resistance。Japanese army and navy reach consensus，Believe that an important reason why the Chinese Nationalist Government persisted in bet365 ohio promo code resistance was its reliance on aid from third countries。Therefore，We must completely cut off foreign aid to China。But this cannot be achieved by fighting in China，Need to “go south” for further expansion。Memories of Tanaka Shinichi, then Chief of Operations of the General Staff Headquarters，The general mentality of the General Staff Headquarters at that time was，Thinks there is no hope of escaping directly from the Chinese battlefield，So everyone turned their attention to the "South"，Come to occupy the English that shows a tendency to become ownerless、法、Dutch Colony”，Thus completely cutting off British and American aid to China。Chief of Staff Sugiyama Moto admits to Hirohito，It will become more and more difficult for the Japanese army on the Chinese battlefield，Falling into an increasingly difficult situation，Therefore, it is necessary to "go south" to open up the situation from the outside。

Japanese authorities believe，If you cannot escape from the Chinese battlefield，Can only engage in a protracted war of attrition，Then it is necessary to plunder Southeast Asia to make up for Japan’s resource gap。The Konoe Fumimaro Cabinet proposed to establish an “East Asia Economic Self-Sufficiency Zone”，The so-called "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere"。The base camp explains this from a combat perspective，We must use Japan and Manchuria as our backbone，Unify the east of India，Australia、The Nanyang region north of New Zealand，Establish a self-sufficient posture"，In this way, when "a long-term war has to be carried out，It can be foolproof”。Japanese Navy Questions，The Army gives people the impression that it must “advance south” to complete bet365 ohio promo code aggression against China，Binding the "Southern Advance" issue with the Chinese battlefield，But we also admit that controlling resources by "moving south" is an indispensable condition for carrying out a long-term and protracted war。The General Staff Headquarters expressed its intention to dispatch troops to China，The decision to “advance south” fully took into account the needs of China’s battlefield，The important purpose is to obtain the required war materials。

September 1940，日、Germany、Three fascist countries in Italy form the Axis Alliance。Afterwards，Japanese military and political leaders linked the “southern advance” to bet365 ohio promo code aggression against China，Have an overall discussion。Early November，The Japanese base camp identified the "southward advance" as "the most important remaining means to resolve the incident in China"。November 13，Japan holds imperial meeting，"To complete the resolution of the incident in China，Consider changing the strategic situation by focusing on policies towards the South”。Foreign Minister Yoshitsune Matsuoka declared，Only by “moving south” can “China’s affairs be truly resolved”，The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recorded that “it is impossible to solve the incident by focusing only on China and Japan，Now it is common knowledge”。

　The Japanese army is desperate to expand bet365 ohio promo code aggression

The Japanese Army’s “Southward Advance” Choice，This is a decision made under the dual influence of Germany’s temporary victory and the dilemma of Japan’s invasion of China。France surrenders、The unfavorable international situation of the war between Britain and the Soviet Union，Stimulated the Japanese army’s ambition for further expansion，And China’s resilience in bet365 ohio promo code resistance，Makes the Japanese army lack confidence in escaping from the Chinese battlefield，Have to seek speculation in other areas，Betting on the international changes caused by the "Southern Advance"。Japanese Chief of Staff Gen. Sugiyama stressed，Cut off aid channels to China，Accept the concession in China，It is the most effective and appropriate measure to induce the National Government to surrender。"Southern Advance" does not mean that the status of the Chinese battlefield in Japanese military strategy has been significantly reduced，Sugiyama Yuan made a promise to the Commander-in-Chief of China Expeditionary Forces, Shunroku Hata，While "moving south"，Still taking bet365 ohio promo code aggression against China as the “first priority”，Even if we have to go to war with the United States，We will not draw out the strength of China’s dispatched troops。

On the eve of Japan’s “Southern Expansion”，While accumulating national strength to prepare for bet365 ohio promo code，Still actively increasing investment in China，Launch offensive operations。The Japanese army launched a series of operations in the spring and summer of 1941，Including operations in southern Henan、Lingchuan Operation、Destroy the 15th Army、Battle of Central Plains、Jidong Operation、Operation in central and northern Hebei、Operation in Northern Jiangsu、Huainan Operation、Jinjiang Operation、Operation in the West of Taihu、Operation in Eastern Zhejiang、Jiangbei Operation、Operation to cut off Xiangshao Road、Operation Lu Bao、Operation to blockade Leizhou、Operation to blockade Shanwei、Blocking combat near Jiazi、Fuzhou Operation、Dongjiang Operation, etc.。While the Japanese army was drawing troops from the Chinese battlefield for its "southern advance"，Some troops have also been transferred，Still placing the main force of the army on the Chinese battlefield，There are still 24 Japanese divisions in the Guannei battlefield。Sugiyama Gen assures Emperor Hirohito，It will be at the same time as "moving south"，Keep the Chinese front unchanged。February 1942，The base camp has selected 6 independent mixed brigades to expand into divisions，Increased the number of troops to invade China。

The Japanese army placed great expectations on the impact of the "southern advance" on the Chinese battlefield。The Japanese military analyzed that the Nationalist Government would be temporarily inspired in the early stages of the war，Strong determination to resist the war for a long time，But as the Japanese war progresses，Foreign aid from foreign powers and overseas Chinese is cut off，It will severely damage the national government’s finances，Intensified friction between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party，Even triggering a split in the united front。Tojo Hideki thinks，After the outbreak of the Pacific War，The National Government will only receive spiritual encouragement，The actual basis for supporting bet365 ohio promo code resistance will be weakened，The Japanese army can cut off Southeast Asia’s aid channels to China，And occupy Shanghai、Concessions in Hong Kong and other places，Prevent the Anti-Japanese War camp from obtaining supplies，Japan’s war capabilities will be enriched by acquiring Southeast Asian resources，Is of great significance to the protracted war of aggression against China。

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor，The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made a prudent judgment on the situation。There was blind optimism spreading within the Kuomintang at that time，The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China judged the situation and gave instructions: "In the early days of the Pacific bet365 ohio promo code，The situation is favorable to Japan”，"英、美、He may suffer some setbacks，Japan may obtain some bet365 ohio promo code resources，The Yunnan-Burma Road may be cut off，The Pacific bet365 ohio promo code is generally said to be a long-term bet365 ohio promo code，It is impossible for Japan to win quickly，It is not a short-term matter for Britain and the United States to counterattack and defeat Japan，The Kuomintang’s current elation，The pessimism will happen again by then”。

Examining the Japanese strategy at that time，“Going south” does not mean that the status of the Chinese battlefield in its decision-making is significantly reduced。Tanaka Shinichi Plan，When the bet365 ohio promo code in Southeast Asia comes to an end，If Japan and the Soviet Union had not gone to bet365 ohio promo code，Just transfer the "southward" troops back to the Chinese battlefield，Launch a large-scale attack。Japanese Base Camp Requirements，After the Pacific bet365 ohio promo code has come to an end，In pair、English、美、The strategies of Soviet countries，The first one on the list is “complete use of force” against China，Prepare to cut off China’s external communications as an opportunity，Seeking to pressure the National Government into surrender。Resolution requirements of the base camp government liaison meeting，Using the "results" of the Japanese army in the Pacific bet365 ohio promo code，Combined with strengthening direct pressure on China，To promote the surrender of the National Government。The Japanese army thought it suffered defeat with Britain and the United States，Japanese troops occupy Singapore、After Myanmar，The National Government’s will to resist the bet365 ohio promo code will be shaken。

　　The bet365 ohio promo code aggressors lost the initiative on the battlefield

While the Japanese army is making progress in Southeast Asia，Not only did the National Government not seek peace，And dispatched an expeditionary force to Myanmar，Assist the Allies to resist the Japanese。Shunroku Hata sighs，China is not only not ready to surrender，On the contrary, the will to resist the bet365 ohio promo code is even stronger，Tokyo is acting too impatient。In this case，Emperor Hirohito urged the Japanese army，Trying to launch an aggressive attack，Seeking to escape from the Chinese battlefield。The Japanese army prepared to block the Yunnan-Burma Road for several months，Waiting for the full effect of the blockade，We will attack with force，Cooperate with political inducement and differentiation，Forcing the National Government to surrender。

After the "Southward Advance" land combat goal is basically achieved，The Japanese army is preparing to shift the focus of its offensive back to the Chinese battlefield，Fight China’s Anti-Japanese bet365 ohio promo code with direct military attack。April 1, 1942，The Operation Department of the General Staff Headquarters formulated the "Guidance Outline for the bet365 ohio promo code against Chongqing"，Proposed to take advantage of the situation before China and other allies are highly strategically bound，Launch an attack quickly to seek an end to the bet365 ohio promo code，Worried about missing this opportunity，The outcome of the Sino-Japanese bet365 ohio promo code can only depend on the outcome of the World bet365 ohio promo code。April 9，Moto Sugiyama presented to Emperor Hirohito，Indicates that the occupied areas in Southeast Asia have been initially pacified，Can obtain supplies needed by Japan，Lay a solid foundation for a protracted bet365 ohio promo code。The Japanese Army will shift resources and troops to the Chinese battlefield，Planning to launch new offensive operations，Invested more than 300,000 troops，Capture Xi'an、Chengdu、Chongqing and other places，The so-called "Operation No. 5"。The General Staff Headquarters proposed that if China continues to resist，Continue to attack with the mainland as the main battlefield，Even attack India、West Asia，Open up traffic in the direction of the Indian Ocean，To join forces with the German and Italian armies。Sugiyama Yuan expressed，Won’t repeat the same mistakes as before，We will pay special attention not to underestimate China’s resistance capabilities，Increase troops to the Chinese battlefield。

June 1942，The Japanese Navy suffered a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Midway。August，U.S. military launches Battle of Guadalcanal，Containment consumed a large amount of Japanese Army troops。When the Pacific bet365 ohio promo code situation is in trouble，Tanaka Shinichi still insists on placing the focus of operations on the Chinese battlefield，Launch against Xi'an、Chongqing’s attack，Because "the power that determines the final outcome of bet365 ohio promo code，As expected, it’s still about conquering mainland China”，"Conquer Mainland China，It will also have a significant impact on India and West Asia”。But after 9 months，Under the fierce attack of the US military，The Japanese defense on Guadalcanal cannot be maintained，There is a hole in its Pacific defense line，We can only urgently focus resources on the Pacific battlefield，And mobilize troops from the Chinese battlefield，As a result, its strategic intentions cannot be implemented as planned。Japanese army at the end of the bet365 ohio promo code，Concentrate resources on the Pacific battlefield to save the defeat，This is already a passive choice when losing the initiative on the battlefield。

Examining the evolution of the relationship between the Japanese army’s “southern advance” strategy and its strategy of invading China，You can have a clearer understanding of the important position of the Chinese battlefield in the world anti-fascist war。The dilemma of invading China is an important background for Japan’s “southern advance”，China’s resilience in bet365 ohio promo code resistance，Making the Japanese authorities less confident in a direct attack，The hope of breaking the dilemma of invading China is pinned on launching the "Southern Advance"，To change the external pattern of bet365 ohio promo code aggression against China。After the Japanese army initially achieved its goal of "southern advance"，Because China continues to persist in bet365 ohio promo code resistance，Preparing to return the focus of operations to the Chinese battlefield，Fully demonstrates the importance of China’s battlefield。Although the Japanese army’s “southern advance” and invasion of China are sequential in different strategic stages，But the Chinese battlefield is always in an important position。The significance of the Chinese battlefield in the world anti-fascist war，It is much more than just containing the Japanese troops。China’s Anti-Japanese War broke the Japanese army’s original expectations，Making its strategy always in the chaos of passive adjustment，Made great contributions to the world anti-fascist war。

　 (The author bet365 ohio promo code associate professor at the School of History, Nankai University)