常德自古就是湖南西北部政治、经济、军事中心,素有“荆湖唇齿、滇黔咽喉”之称,历来为兵家必争之地。1943年11月初,侵华日军向常德城发起攻击。日寇纠集重兵南下侵犯常德,有其明显的战略意图。一是制造大陆决战的优势,压制国内反战情绪。二 Changde is the political, economic and military center in northwestern Hunan since ancient times. It has always been known as a place where military strategists contend. In early November 1943, the Japanese invaders launched an attack on Changde City. Japanese aggressors gathered heavily to infringe upon Changde, with its obvious strategic intent. One is the advantage of creating a decisive battle in the mainland and suppressing the domestic anti-war sentiment. two