War Thunder Community Magazine Issue 1 | Page 8

ARTICLE THIS MONTH IN WORLD WAR II JANUARY 1940 On the 1st of January, 1940, the Empire of Japan Though having been prepared for previously, launched a counter-offensive operation in the Shanxi with ticket books issued in October 1939, and fuel Province of northern China as a part of the operation already being rationed, Britain began rationing known as the “Winter Offensive.” A force 10,000 food items in January 1940. Items such as strong attacked the Chinese forces in an attempt to bacon, cheese, butter, sugar, and tea became support the Japanese 36th Division; the attack failed, precious commodities, and more items would be and was driven off by the Chinese forces within days. rationed in the months to come. This rationing would continue in some form until 1954. In the skies, backed by Soviet air forces supplied by the Soviet Volunteer Group, the Republic of China continued to resist air raids made by the Empire of Japan, and managed to make several raids of their own against Japanese-held targets such as Nanning. 8 // War Thunder Community Magazine The GameOn Magazine