Japanese coup d'état in French Indochina

Part of the South-East Asian theatre of World War II

French colonial troops retreating to the Chinese border during the Japanese Coup of March 1945

Date	9 March – 15 May 1945
Location	French Indochina
Result	Japanese victory

Belligerents

Empire of Japan

France

French Indochina

Air support:

United States

Commanders and leaders

Strength

55,000

65,000

Casualties and losses

~ 1,000 killed or wounded

4,200 killed
15,000 captured or interned

The Japanese coup d'état in French Indochina, known as Meigo Sakusen (Operation Bright Moon), was a Japanese operation that took place on 9 March 1945 towards the end of World War II. With Japanese forces losing the war and the threat of an Allied invasion of Indochina imminent, the Japanese were concerned about an uprising against them by French colonial forces.

Despite the French having anticipated an attack, the Japanese struck in a military campaign attacking garrisons all over the colony. The French were caught off guard and all of the garrisons were overrun with some then having to escape to Nationalist China where they were harshly interned. The Japanese replaced French officials, and effectively dismantled their control of Indochina. The Japanese were then able to install and create a new Empire of Vietnam, Kingdom of Cambodia and Kingdom of Laos which under their direction would acquiesce with their military presence and forestall a potential invasion by the allies.

French Indochina comprised the colony of Cochinchina and the protectorates of Annam, Cambodia and Tonkin, and the mixed region of Laos. After the fall of France in June 1940 the French Indochinese government had remained loyal to the Vichy regime. The following month governor Admiral Jean Decoux signed an agreement under which Japanese forces were permitted to occupy bases across Indochina. In September the same year Japanese troops invaded and took control of Northern Indochina, and then in July 1941 they occupied the Southern half as well. The Japanese allowed Vichy French troops and the administration to continue on albeit as puppets.

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