Japanese Forces Capture Nanning

The occupation of Nanning cut a Chinese line of supply along the highways from French Indo-China into Kwansi Province.

The railway from Indo-China into Yunnan Province, however, lies much further inland. From Nanning Japanese planes are able to bomb this railroad with greater facility, despite obstacles imposed by distance and high mountains. In fact, this railroad was damaged by raids early in January, leading to a French protest which was rejected by the Japanese authorities. It is doubtful whether bombing raids can entirely cripple this railwal, although it may be closed through Japanese pressure on French authorities. The new Burma-Yunnan highway is so far inland as to be virtually impregnable it can be closed only if Britain succumbs to Japanese pressure.

The Battle of South Guangxi (simplified Chinese: 桂南会战; traditional Chinese: 桂南會戰; pinyin: Guìnán Huìzhàn), was one of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

In November 1939, the Japanese landed on the coast of Guangxi and captured Nanning. In this battle, the Japanese successfully cut off Chongqing from the ocean, effectively severing foreign aid to China's war efforts by the sea, rendering Indochina, Burma Road and The Hump as the only way to send aid to China.

The Chinese were able to launch several major offensives that maximized Japanese casualties. Majority of the conflicts occurred in the contention for Kunlun Pass. With the success of the Vietnam Expedition in September 1940, the Japanese were able to cut off China except over the Burma Road and The Hump without the costly necessity of occupying Guangxi. By November 1940, Japanese forces had evacuated from Guangxi.