Operation Blueberry

'Blueberry' was a Chinese special forces operation by the 2nd Parachute Commando, delivered by US aircraft, to cut the Japanese lines of communication near Chakiang (27 July/31 August 1945).

Tasked with severing the Japanese road and river lines of communication linking Paoching, Hangyang and Chansha, the 2nd Parachute Commando was dropped on 27 July near Chakiang. Working with local guerrilla forces, the commando attacked the Japanese positions at Taiyuanshih on 5 August. The commandos fought well, but the operation was unsuccessful as a result of poor co-ordination between the participating units, and the commando suffered three men killed and nine wounded, including two of its US members. A medical officer was successfully parachuted to the commando and the wounded Americans were evacuated by Stinson L-5 light aeroplane. More than 50 casualties were inflicted on the Japanese holding the objective.

The commando then moved to and secured Hengyang airport when news arrived of the Japanese surrender and thus the end of World War II, and after control of the 2nd Parachute Commando had been assumed by the 4th Command, its US personnel returned to Kunming.

It is worth noting that the 3rd and 4th Parachute Commandos, codenamed 'Cherry' and 'Crabapple' respectively, saw no action but were chosen to act as the honour guard at the discussion of surrender terms between senior Allied and Japanese officials. The men of the two commandos were airlifted to Chihkiang on 21 August and then proceeded on 27 August to Nanking, where they secured the airport. The US personnel assigned to these two commandos returned to Kunming after the 3rd and 4th Parachute Commandos had been attached to the 6th Army in Nanking.