Campagne

1942 · 222243 — Japan. 1942. Black and white photograph with an explanatory slip in Japanese. The photograph measures 20 x 14.5cm; the slip measures 16 x 11cm. Reverse of photograph lightly browned and slightly foxed in a few spots not affecting image slip also evenly browned on reverse and little creased overall a good pair. A view of a Japanese foot soldier armed with his Arisaka Type 99 and bayonet surveying the Nujiang/Salween Valley and River following what is claimed to have been a successful crossing. On the opposite bank a convoy of trucks can be seen winding their way along a dirt track leading away from the shoreline through a patchwork of terraced farms. The remnants of the Huitong Bridge having been destroyed by defending Chinese troops can be seen at the bottom of the valley. <br> <br>Although the explanatory slip included with the image declares the operation to have been a roaring success with a valiant crossing made and the road to Kunming and Chongqing opened by all credible reports the Salween Campaign proved to be a tactical stalemate for Imperial Japanese forces. Although the IJA had indeed been able to reach the Salween River a successful crossing was never made as National Revolutionary Army troops had taken up an entrenched defensive position prior to their arrival. Ultimately the IJA were dislodged by the NRA in 1944-45 with the assistance of Joseph Stilwell. . unknown