Chongqing's Air Defense During The War Of Resistance Against Japan

During the period of the Anti-Japanese war, the army and the people of Chongqing carried out the valiant air defense struggle in order to crush the strategic intention of Japanese army's air attack and safeguard the city. Such a large-scale and long-lasting practice of air defense was unprecedented in Chinese history of anti-aggression warfare.The paper, including of three parts in all, does systematic researche on the basic process of Chongqing air defense during the Anti-Japanese War. The first part delineates the rigorous situation of Chongqing air defense in the early days of the war, starting with analyzing Japanese army's esteem for the thought of strategic bombing in invading China. At the same time, it expounds the necessity and importance of Chongqing air defense by studying the changes of Chongqing's strategic position. The second part narrates the establishment of Chongqing air defense mechanism during the period of the Anti-Japanese War and studies the concrete measures and operations of Chongqing air defense through seven aspects: the air defense publicity and education, the air defense project, the air defense intelligence network, the warning net, the air attack evacuation, the air defense fire fighting and rescue, as well as the antiaircraft defensive operations. The third part evaluates the historic significance of Chongqing air defense from both the positive effect and the main shortcomings.Undoubtedly, Chongqing air defense made much contribution to the victory of the Anti-Japanese war. However, constrained by the limitations of the government itself of the Republic of China and the times, there were inevitably a lot of regret. The paper tries to find out some important experience and draw some lessons from Chongqing air defense so as to be used for reference in Chinese air defense construction at present.