Central Highlands Campaign

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Central Highlands Campaign
Part of the Asianna and the Pacific Campaign
The British Army in Burma 1944 SE198.jpg
Troops from the Royal Accords Grenadiers clearing out a Quenminese nest
Date2 May 1945 – 25 August 1945
(3 months and 23 days)
Location
Central Quenmin
Result

Decisive Allied Victory

  • Quenminese Forces surrender unconditionally
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders
Units involved

  • 340,500 troops
  • 250 tanks
  • 75 guns
  • 200 vehicles

  • 233,950 troops
  • 200 tanks
  • 55 guns
  • 120 vehicles

  • 175,550 troops
  • 300 tanks
  • 90 guns
  • 200 vehicles

  • 760,000 troops
  • 250 tanks
  • 75 guns
  • 120 vehicles

  • 220,000 troops
  • 150 tanks
  • 50 guns
  • 75 vehicles
Casualties and losses
19,579 troops
75 tanks
27 guns
150 vehicles
285,000 troops
149 tanks
67 guns
200 vehicles
695,000 surrendered

The Central Highlands Campaign (2 May 1945 - 25 August 1945) was the last major campaign undertaken during the Allied Invasion of Quenmin. On the 30th of April, Marshal Chien conducted a final stand in Central Quenmin. Cut-off from the main commercial cities, the Quenminese and Archadian forces that were left organized a final defence in hopes of reinforcements that could drive the invading force back. However, it was never realized. On June 18, Bethausian forces launched an savage offensive, which cut off the rest of Kontin and separating the Quenminese from the Archadian forces. The resulting move trapped more than 400,000 Quenminese troops in the city.

On June 30, Marshal Chien committed suicide on the basis of avoiding dishonour upon him. Command was passed over to Quenminese General Kiều Dũng Quang, who later attempted a breakout of Kontin, which proved to be less of a success. When the announcement of the Quenminese surrender was broadcasted throughout Quenmin on the 23rd of July, all Imperial troops that still remained surrendered. The same had went with Sazabio's forces. The Quenminese in the Central Highlands met with the Allied commanders at the village of Phan Ranh. Sazabio was later taken into custody along with other Quenminese and Archadian Generals.

The Imperials lost a total of 285,000, with the Archadian Army suffering 55,000 casualties while the Quenminese suffered 230,000 casualties.

Background

Prelude

The Battle

2 - 10 May: Initial Movements

10 - 21 May: Skirmish at Hiếu Thông

22 May - 1 June: Battle of Tuấn Châu, Lệ's flank split

25 May - 16 June: Battle of Hoàng Dũng Valley

18 June: Bethausian Forces launch a massive offensive onto Kontin; Archadian forces separated from Quenminese forces

19 - 22 June: Battle of Kontin, Sazabio attempts to relieve Kontin

23 - 28 June: Sazabio's VII Army links up with Lệ's XIII Army

28 - 29 June: Quenminese and Archadian Forces outside of Kontin attempt to rescue escaping civilians

30 June: Marshal Chiến commits suicide, General Quang takes over command and attempts breakout

1 July: The Breakout

23 July: All Quenminese and Archadian forces surrender

Aftermath