Security
U.S. Occupation of North China
With Japan's surrender, the III Amphibious Corps was diverted from the planned invasion of Tokyo to a new mission on the Asian mainland.
Operating under Operation Beleaguer, the Marines entered North China to accept the surrender of Japanese forces on behalf of the Chinese Central Government and to supervise the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Japanese troops and civilians. The 1st Marine Division occupied the Hopeh cities of Tangku, Tientsin, Peiping, and Chinwangtao, while the 6th Marine Division held Tsingtao in Shantung, supported by the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. The Marines found themselves caught between Nationalist and Communist forces in a resuming civil war, guarding rail lines, coal trains, and ammunition stores against guerrilla raids. Though officially neutral, they suffered casualties in repeated clashes with Communist forces, and the mission gradually wound down as the Chinese Civil War turned against the Nationalists.
Engagements in this conflict (6)
Record no. 59