'Enterprise' (i) was a US undertaking to move its strategic air forces in China forward in anticipation of the arrival of Boeing B-29 Superfortress four-engined heavy bombers for the start of the 'Matterhorn' strategic bombing campaign against the Japanese home islands (1944).

Major bases were built for the bombers at Nanning, Liuchow, Kweilin, Lingling, Hengyang, Suichuan, Chihkiang, Laohokow and Ankang, and the threat was deemed sufficiently great by the Japanese for them to launch 'Ichi' in order to seize these areas as a means of denying the US bombers the use of bases within range of Japan.