The Second Sino-Japanese War was a brutal conflict between China and Japan that lasted from 1937 to 1945. It actually started earlier, in 1931, with a localized war in Manchuria. This war is often seen as the beginning of World War II in Asia, and it was the largest Asian war of the 20th century.
The Japanese committed terrible atrocities against Chinese civilians, leading some to call it the “Asian Holocaust.” In China, this war is known as the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
On September 18, 1931, the Japanese military staged a fake attack on a Japanese-owned railway in Manchuria. This event, known as the Mukden Incident, was a deliberate act to justify their invasion of Manchuria and establish a puppet state called Manchukuo. Many historians consider this the true start of the war.
From 1931 to 1937, China and Japan fought smaller battles in various locations, including Shanghai and Northern China. Meanwhile, China was also embroiled in a civil war between the Nationalist forces led by Chiang Kai-shek and the Communist forces led by Mao Zedong.
In 1933, Chiang Kai-shek launched a major campaign against the Communists, forcing them to embark on the Long March, a perilous retreat that decimated their forces. Despite the looming threat of Japanese invasion, Chiang remained focused on defeating the Communists. It wasn’t until late 1936, when his subordinates forced him to cooperate with the Communists, that a united front was formed to resist the Japanese aggression.
The war escalated into a full-scale conflict on July 7, 1937, with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident near Beijing. This triggered a massive Japanese invasion of China. In 1937, the Japanese captured Nanjing, the capital of China, and committed the horrific Nanjing Massacre.
The Chinese Nationalist government, led by Chiang Kai-shek, retreated to Chongqing in the interior of China after losing Wuhan in 1938. The Soviet Union, after signing a non-aggression pact with China, provided crucial aid to the Chinese National Revolutionary Army and Air Force.
By 1939, the war had reached a stalemate. The Chinese, with victories at Changsha and Guangxi, had managed to slow down the Japanese advance. The Chinese Communist Party, under Mao Zedong, waged a relentless guerrilla war against the Japanese occupiers.
In a significant turning point, the Chinese Nationalists launched a large-scale winter offensive in 1939. The following year, the Chinese Communists initiated the Hundred Regiments Offensive in central China. These offensives, though costly, demonstrated the resilience and determination of the Chinese resistance.
Following Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the United States declared war on Japan and significantly increased its aid to China through the Lend-Lease Act. As Burma fell under Japanese control, the United States Army Air Forces undertook the monumental task of airlifting supplies over the treacherous Himalayan mountains to support the Chinese war effort.
In 1944, Japan launched a major offensive, Operation Ichi-Go, targeting Henan and Changsha. Despite this, the Chinese Expeditionary Force, with American support, resumed its advance in Burma and completed the Ledo Road, a vital supply route connecting India to China.
The Chinese also launched large-scale counteroffensives in South China, successfully repelling a Japanese invasion of West Hunan and reclaiming territories lost to the Japanese in Guangxi.
Japan’s formal surrender on September 2, 1945, came after the devastating atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet Union’s declaration of war and subsequent invasion of Manchuria and Korea. The war resulted in the tragic loss of around 20 million lives, primarily Chinese civilians.
As one of the victorious Allied Powers, China regained all lost territories and secured a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. However, the hard-won peace was short-lived. The Chinese Civil War resumed in 1946, culminating in a Communist victory and the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
Names
In China, the war is commonly referred to as the “War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression” or simply the “War of Resistance.” In recent years, the Chinese government has emphasized a “Fourteen Years’ War of Resistance,” which includes the earlier Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931. While this broader timeframe is now officially recognized, some historians in China have expressed concerns about this revisionist approach, as the Republic of China government at the time did not consider the period between 1931 and 1937 as a full-scale war.
The war is also seen as part of the larger “Global Anti-Fascist War.”
In Japan, the term “Japan-China War” is commonly used today due to its perceived neutrality. However, during the war itself, the Japanese government used different terms to describe the conflict. Initially, they referred to it as “The North China Incident” and later as “The China Incident.”
The Japanese government’s use of the term “incident” was a strategic move to downplay the scale of the conflict and avoid international condemnation. By framing the events as localized incidents, Japan aimed to prevent intervention from major powers like the United Kingdom and the United States, which were crucial sources of vital resources. A formal declaration of war could have triggered economic sanctions and emboldened other nations to intervene.
Furthermore, Japan exploited China’s political instability, arguing that the country lacked a unified government capable of declaring war. This allowed Japan to justify its actions without facing the legal and diplomatic consequences of a full-scale war.
Other names
Japanese propaganda presented the invasion of China as a holy crusade, a step towards realizing the “eight corners of the world under one roof” vision. This ideology aimed to unite East Asia under Japanese dominance. In 1940, Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe launched the Taisei Yokusankai, a political movement to mobilize the nation for this goal.
However, when both Japan and China formally declared war in December 1941, the term “Greater East Asia War” was adopted to describe the broader conflict encompassing the Pacific War.
While the Japanese government still officially refers to the conflict as the “China Incident” in formal documents, the term “Shina” used to refer to China is now considered derogatory by the Chinese government. As a result, Japanese media often uses alternative phrases like “The Japan-China Incident” to avoid using the offensive term.
That’s a very good point. The term “Second Sino-Japanese War” is primarily used in Western contexts to distinguish it from the earlier Qing-Japanese War. In Japan, the focus is often on the specific historical period and the government in power at the time, which is why the term “Second Sino-Japanese War” is not as commonly used.
That’s correct. “Japanese invasion of China” is another common term used, particularly in foreign and Chinese narratives, to describe the conflict. This term emphasizes Japan’s aggressive military actions against China.
Background
Prior conflict
The roots of the Second Sino-Japanese War can be traced back to the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. In this conflict, Japan decisively defeated the Qing Dynasty, leading to the loss of Taiwan and Korea. Japan also gained control of the Senkaku Islands. While Japan initially aimed to annex the Liaodong Peninsula, it was forced to return it due to intervention from European powers.
The Qing Dynasty, weakened by internal strife and foreign domination, was on the brink of collapse. In contrast, Japan, through its modernization efforts, had emerged as a significant global power. The Russo-Japanese War of 1905 further solidified Japan’s position as a regional power, with victories over Russia and the establishment of a protectorate over Korea.
The Republic of China’s warlords
In 1911, a revolution erupted in China, led by factions within the Qing Army. This rebellion, centered in the southern provinces, threatened the Qing Dynasty’s grip on power. To quell the uprising, the Qing government appointed Yuan Shikai, a powerful military commander, as prime minister.
However, Yuan Shikai had his own ambitions. He negotiated with the revolutionaries and agreed to establish a republic, but only on the condition that he be named president. This led to the formation of the Beiyang government in 1912.
Yuan Shikai continued to consolidate power, culminating in the assassination of Song Jiaoren, a prominent political leader. This act further solidified Yuan’s control and allowed him to push for a restoration of the monarchy, with himself as the new emperor.
Yuan Shikai’s attempt to restore the monarchy met with widespread opposition and resistance from the Chinese people. Protests erupted across the nation, and the National Protection War broke out against his regime. After a brief period, Yuan Shikai was forced to abdicate and died shortly after.
In the power vacuum that followed, the Beiyang Army, a collection of warlords, took control of various regions in China. This led to a period of warlordism, characterized by political instability, economic decline, and social unrest. This fractured state of China provided an opportunity for Japan’s expansionist ambitions.
21 Requirements
In 1915, Japan presented China with the Twenty-One Demands, a set of harsh conditions aimed at further exploiting China’s resources and political influence. The weak Beiyang government, under Yuan Shikai, was forced to accept many of these demands.
Following World War I, Japan seized Germany’s sphere of influence in Shandong province, sparking widespread anti-Japanese protests across China. The country remained fragmented under the control of various warlords, making it vulnerable to foreign aggression.
To unify China and eliminate the warlords, the Kuomintang, led by Chiang Kai-shek, launched the Northern Expedition from 1926 to 1928. This campaign, supported by the Soviet Union, aimed to establish a unified and powerful Chinese nation.
The event in Jinan
The Jinan Incident of 1928 was a significant turning point in Sino-Japanese relations. As the Kuomintang’s National Revolutionary Army advanced northward, tensions with the Japanese military escalated in Shandong province. The conflict resulted in the deaths of numerous Chinese civilians and soldiers, further straining the already fragile relationship between the two nations. This incident marked a significant setback for the Kuomintang’s efforts to unify China and laid the groundwork for future conflicts between the two countries.
China’s reunification (1928)
As the Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-shek advanced, Zhang Zuolin, the powerful warlord controlling Manchuria, retreated northward. However, before he could reach safety, he was assassinated by Japanese military officers in the Huanggutun incident of 1928. His son, Zhang Xueliang, assumed control of the Fengtian clique and, recognizing the inevitable, declared allegiance to the Nationalist government. This event marked a significant moment in Chinese history, as it brought about a period of nominal unity under the Kuomintang.
Sino-Soviet War, 1929
The conflict over the Chinese Eastern Railway in 1929 further exacerbated tensions between China and Japan in Manchuria. The Soviet Red Army’s victory over Zhang Xueliang’s forces highlighted the weakness of the Chinese military and provided Japan with an opportunity to expand its influence in the region. This event, coupled with other factors, ultimately led to the Mukden Incident and the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
The Soviet Red Army’s victory over Zhang Xueliang’s forces in 1929 was a significant shock to Japan. Manchuria was a crucial part of Japan’s regional ambitions, as outlined in the Imperial Eastern Region Conferences of 1921 and 1927. The Red Army’s military prowess demonstrated the growing Soviet threat to Japan’s interests in the region.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Kwantung Army accelerated its plans to secure control over Manchuria. This decision ultimately led to the Mukden Incident in 1931, which marked the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Communist Party of China
The Central Plains War of 1930 was a significant internal conflict within China, involving various regional warlords who had previously fought alongside the Kuomintang. This internal struggle weakened the Kuomintang government and distracted it from the growing external threat posed by Japan.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which had been suppressed in the Shanghai Massacre of 1927, continued to grow and expand its influence. The Kuomintang government, under Chiang Kai-shek, prioritized the suppression of the CCP through a series of Encirclement Campaigns, adhering to the policy of “first internal pacification, then external resistance.” This strategy, however, ultimately proved to be a miscalculation as it weakened China’s ability to resist Japanese aggression.
Prelude: Northern China and Manchuria invasion
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a product of Japan’s growing imperialist ambitions and China’s internal turmoil. Manchuria, with its abundant resources and strategic location, was a tempting target for Japanese expansionism.
Key factors that led to the war include:
- Japan’s Economic Interests: Japan sought to secure a stable supply of raw materials and a market for its manufactured goods, particularly in light of the global economic depression.
- Strategic Buffer Zone: Japan aimed to create a buffer zone against the Soviet Union in Siberia.
- Military Strength: The Japanese Army, emboldened by its victory in the Russo-Japanese War, had a significant presence in Manchuria.
- Political Instability in China: China’s internal struggles, including the Central Plains War and the weak Beiyang government, provided an opportunity for Japan to exploit the situation.
- Japanese Militarism: A growing militaristic faction within the Japanese Army advocated for aggressive expansionism.
The Mukden Incident in 1931 served as a pretext for Japan’s full-scale invasion of Manchuria. The Japanese military staged a false flag operation, blaming Chinese forces for sabotaging the South Manchurian Railway. This incident allowed Japan to justify its military intervention and establish the puppet state of Manchukuo.
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a devastating conflict that resulted in immense human suffering and had far-reaching consequences for both China and Japan. It also played a significant role in the outbreak of World War II.
Following the Mukden Incident and the subsequent invasion of Manchuria, Japan established the puppet state of Manchukuo in 1932. Puyi, the last Emperor of China, was installed as the figurehead ruler of this new state.
China, unable to effectively challenge Japan militarily, turned to the League of Nations for assistance. The League’s investigation, as outlined in the Lytton Report, condemned Japan’s actions. However, due to a lack of international consensus and political will, no significant action was taken against Japan. This failure of the international community emboldened Japan to continue its aggressive expansionist policies.
During this period, the Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek adopted a strategy of appeasement, focusing on internal issues like the Chinese Civil War rather than confronting the growing Japanese threat. This decision allowed Japan to gradually extend its control over Chinese territories, setting the stage for the full-scale invasion that began in 1937.
The period following the Mukden Incident was marked by continuous conflict between Chinese and Japanese forces. The January 28th Incident in 1932, a battle in Shanghai, resulted in a demilitarized zone that restricted Chinese military presence in the city.
Meanwhile, in Manchukuo, the Japanese military engaged in ongoing campaigns to suppress the Anti-Japanese Volunteer Armies, which were formed by Chinese resistance fighters opposed to Japanese occupation. Additionally, the Chinese Soviet Republic, led by the Communist Party, declared war on Japan in 1932, further escalating tensions in the region.
The Japanese military continued its aggressive expansion into Chinese territory. In 1933, they launched an attack on the Great Wall region. The subsequent Tanggu Truce resulted in Japan gaining control of Rehe Province and establishing a demilitarized zone between the Great Wall and the major cities of Beijing and Tianjin. This move further solidified Japan’s position in North China and created a buffer zone between Manchukuo and the Chinese Nationalist government.
Japan effectively exploited the internal divisions within China to further its own interests. By supporting various Chinese warlords and establishing puppet governments, Japan aimed to weaken the Nationalist government and consolidate its control over key regions in North China. The “Specialization of North China” policy was a key component of this strategy, as it sought to create autonomous regions that were aligned with Japanese interests. This policy had a significant impact on the provinces of Chahar, Suiyuan, Hebei, Shanxi, and Shandong.
Japan’s policy of “Specialization of North China” was most successful in regions like Inner Mongolia and Hebei. Through diplomatic pressure and military force, Japan compelled the Chinese government to sign agreements that effectively ceded control of these areas. The establishment of puppet governments like the East Hebei Autonomous Council and the Hebei-Chahar Political Council further solidified Japanese influence. In Inner Mongolia, Japan supported the formation of a Mongolian military government, further undermining Chinese sovereignty. Despite these setbacks, Chinese resistance forces, including the Anti-Japanese Volunteer Armies, continued to fight against Japanese occupation.
Indeed, many Chinese historians argue that the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931 marks the true beginning of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. This perspective is gaining increasing recognition, even internationally. Historians like Rana Mitter have acknowledged the validity of this view, highlighting the significance of the early stages of the conflict in shaping the overall course of the war.
By adopting this broader timeframe, the Chinese government aims to emphasize the importance of the resistance efforts in Northeast China and to honor the sacrifices made by those who fought against Japanese aggression from the very beginning. This historical revision also serves political purposes, as it reinforces the narrative of China as a victim of Japanese imperialism and highlights the country’s long and arduous struggle for national liberation.
1937: China is fully invaded
The Marco Polo Bridge Incident on July 7, 1937, marked the beginning of Japan’s full-scale invasion of China. The initial skirmish escalated into a major conflict, leading to the fall of Beijing and Tianjin.
The Tongzhou Mutiny, which occurred shortly after, further inflamed tensions between China and Japan. Chinese troops turned against the Japanese garrison in Tongzhou, resulting in the deaths of numerous Japanese soldiers and civilians. This event had a significant impact on Japanese public opinion, hardening attitudes towards China and fueling calls for a more aggressive response.
The Tongzhou Mutiny, along with the broader context of Japanese expansionism and Chinese resistance, contributed to the escalation of the Second Sino-Japanese War, which ultimately led to the Pacific War and World War II.
The Beiping–Tianjin Battle
Following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the Japanese military began a significant mobilization of forces to Northern China. The Imperial Japanese Army General Staff authorized the deployment of additional troops, including an infantry division from the Chōsen Army, combined brigades from the Kwantung Army, and an air regiment. By the end of July, the Japanese military had amassed over 180,000 troops in the Beijing-Tianjin area, demonstrating their commitment to a full-scale invasion of China.
The Japanese military, after defeating the Chinese 29th Army, captured Beijing and Tianjin. However, the initial plan was to limit the scope of the conflict. The Konoe government’s foreign minister even expressed a desire for cooperation with the Chinese government.
However, the Ōyama Incident, which involved a clash between Japanese and Chinese forces, escalated the situation. This incident marked a turning point, leading to a full-scale war between China and Japan.
The heroic resistance of the 29th Army against the Japanese invaders inspired a patriotic fervor among the Chinese people. The “Sword March,” a popular military song, commemorated their bravery and sacrifice. The song also popularized the term “guizi” (鬼子), a derogatory term for the Japanese, which became a common epithet during the war. This cultural phenomenon reflected the deep-seated animosity and resistance against Japanese aggression.
The Battle of Shanghai
The shooting incident at the Hongqiao military airport in August 1937 marked a significant turning point in the Sino-Japanese conflict. Initially, the Japanese military was hesitant to escalate the war beyond North China. However, the incident provided a pretext for a full-scale invasion.
Both sides began mobilizing their forces in the Shanghai area. The Chinese, led by Chiang Kai-shek, deployed their elite troops to defend the city, hoping to garner international sympathy and support. This strategic move, however, would ultimately lead to a devastating defeat for the Chinese forces.
The Battle of Shanghai, which began on August 13, 1937, was a pivotal moment in the Second Sino-Japanese War. The conflict erupted when Chinese forces attacked Japanese positions in Shanghai, leading to intense urban warfare. The Japanese, with their superior military technology and naval support, inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese troops.
A tragic incident occurred when Chinese planes mistakenly bombed the Shanghai International Settlement, a foreign enclave, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians. This event further complicated the international situation and tarnished China’s image.
The Battle of Shanghai was a costly victory for the Japanese, as they suffered significant casualties. However, it also demonstrated the limitations of the Chinese military and the challenges it faced in confronting a modern, well-equipped military like Japan’s. The battle ultimately led to the fall of Shanghai and marked a turning point in the war, as Japan gained significant territorial advantages and further solidified its position in China.
The early days of the Battle of Shanghai saw intense aerial combat between the Japanese and Chinese air forces. The Japanese, equipped with advanced G3M bombers, expected to quickly dominate the skies and neutralize Chinese air power. However, they were met with fierce resistance from the Chinese pilots, who were flying older but agile fighters like the Curtiss Hawk II/III and P-26/281 Peashooter.
The Chinese pilots, despite being outnumbered and outgunned, fought bravely and inflicted significant losses on the Japanese air force. In fact, the Japanese suffered a staggering 50% loss rate in the initial days of the air war. This unexpected resistance forced the Japanese to reassess their aerial strategy and adopt more cautious tactics.
The heroic defense of the Chinese Air Force during these critical days earned them widespread admiration and respect. August 14th was subsequently declared as China’s Air Force Day to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of the Chinese pilots who fought to defend their nation.
The Battle of Shanghai was a fierce and prolonged conflict that showcased the bravery and determination of the Chinese forces. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the Chinese pilots, including experienced veterans and foreign volunteers, put up a valiant fight against the Japanese air force.
The Chinese Air Force, equipped with older biplanes like the Curtiss Hawk II/III and P-26/281 Peashooter, managed to hold their own against the more advanced Japanese fighters. The Chinese pilots’ skill and tenacity enabled them to score significant victories, even against superior enemy aircraft.
On the ground, the Chinese army, under the command of Zhang Zhizhong, fought fiercely to defend Shanghai. However, the overwhelming superiority of the Japanese military, both in terms of manpower and firepower, eventually forced the Chinese to retreat. The Battle of Shanghai, though a costly defeat for the Chinese, demonstrated the resilience and fighting spirit of the Chinese people and inspired a sense of national unity.
You’re absolutely right. I apologize for the oversight. The Shanghai International Settlement and the Shanghai French Concession were indeed under foreign control and were not immediately occupied by the Japanese during the initial stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War. It was only after Japan’s declaration of war against the United States and the United Kingdom in 1941 that these areas came under Japanese control.
The Nanjing Battle and the Massacre
The capture of Nanjing by the Japanese forces in December 1937 marked a dark chapter in the history of the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese troops committed horrific atrocities against the civilian population, including mass killings, rapes, and widespread destruction. The Nanjing Massacre, as it is known, remains one of the most brutal episodes of violence in modern history. The Japanese military’s actions in Nanjing shocked the world and further solidified their reputation as a ruthless aggressor.
The Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanjing, was a horrific event that occurred in December 1937, following the Japanese capture of the city. During this period, the Japanese military engaged in widespread acts of violence, including mass killings, rapes, and looting. The exact number of casualties remains a subject of debate, with estimates ranging from 100,000 to over 300,000 Chinese civilians killed.
The International Military Tribunal for the Far East, established after World War II, estimated that at least 200,000 people were murdered and 20,000 women were raped during the massacre. This estimate, while widely accepted, is still considered conservative by some historians. The Nanjing Massacre remains a dark chapter in human history and a stark reminder of the horrors of war.
Yes, the Japanese atrocities in Nanjing significantly increased international sympathy for China and its government.
The brutality of the Nanjing Massacre shocked the world and generated widespread condemnation of Japan’s actions. While international response was limited due to the global political climate of the time, the event did contribute to a growing perception of Japan as an aggressor nation.
However, it’s important to note that the impact of the Nanjing Massacre on international relations was complex. While it did garner sympathy for China, it didn’t necessarily translate into concrete support or military intervention. Many countries were preoccupied with their own domestic issues and the rising threat of Nazi Germany.
Despite the lack of direct intervention, the Nanjing Massacre remains a significant historical event that has shaped Sino-Japanese relations and continues to be a source of tension and controversy.
1938
Correct. By early 1938, the Japanese military had made significant territorial gains and inflicted heavy losses on the Kuomintang forces. The Nationalist government, under Chiang Kai-shek, was forced to retreat to the interior of China.
However, the Chinese Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, continued to wage a guerrilla war against the Japanese occupiers. This strategy proved to be highly effective, as the Communist forces were able to harass the Japanese, disrupt their supply lines, and mobilize the rural population to resist the invaders. The Communist resistance played a crucial role in tying down Japanese forces and prolonging the war.
That’s accurate. Initially, the Japanese leadership aimed to limit the scope of the war to North China, preserving their resources for a potential conflict with the Soviet Union. However, the momentum of the war and the aggressive actions of the Japanese military on the ground led to a significant escalation. The Japanese military, driven by its own ambitions and unchecked by effective political control, pushed for further expansion into Chinese territory. This shift in strategy ultimately led to a prolonged and costly war for Japan.
Battles of Xuzhou and Taierzhuang
You’re absolutely right. The Japanese military, emboldened by their initial victories, launched a series of offensives aimed at further expanding their control over Chinese territory. One of the most significant campaigns was the Battle of Xuzhou, which took place in early 1938.
The Japanese forces, despite facing fierce Chinese resistance, managed to capture key cities like Bengbu and Tengxian. However, their advance was halted at Linyi, where the Chinese defenders put up a determined defense. The Battle of Xuzhou was a costly affair for both sides, with significant casualties on both sides.
Ultimately, the Japanese were able to achieve a tactical victory, but they failed to decisively defeat the Chinese army. The Chinese forces, although weakened, were able to retreat and regroup, continuing their resistance against the Japanese invaders.
Absolutely right. The Battle of Taierzhuang was a significant turning point in the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Chinese forces, led by General Li Zongren, successfully defended the city of Taierzhuang against a superior Japanese force.
The Chinese employed a strategy of night attacks and close-quarters combat, exploiting their familiarity with the terrain and their superior numbers. They also effectively cut off Japanese supply lines, forcing the Japanese to retreat. This decisive victory boosted Chinese morale and shattered the myth of Japanese invincibility.
The Japanese military, after their initial successes in Shanghai and Nanjing, aimed to encircle and annihilate the Chinese forces in the Xuzhou region. They launched a massive pincer movement, hoping to trap the Chinese army between their advancing forces.
However, the Chinese, led by experienced commanders like Li Zongren, demonstrated remarkable strategic acumen and tactical flexibility. They successfully executed a strategic withdrawal, evading the Japanese encirclement and preserving their forces. This allowed the Chinese to regroup and defend their next major objective: the city of Wuhan.
The Chinese withdrawal from Xuzhou was a significant tactical victory, as it prevented the Japanese from achieving a decisive military breakthrough. It also highlighted the limitations of the Japanese military’s strategy and the resilience of the Chinese forces.
The Wuhan battle
Following their failed attempt to encircle and destroy the Chinese forces at Xuzhou, the Japanese military shifted its focus to the city of Wuhan. As the political, economic, and military center of China, Wuhan was a crucial target. The Japanese aimed to capture the city and eliminate the Chinese government’s ability to resist.
In early June 1938, the Japanese captured Kaifeng, a significant city in Henan province. This victory threatened Zhengzhou, a key transportation hub, and put immense pressure on the Chinese forces defending Wuhan.
That’s correct. The Japanese launched a massive offensive against Wuhan, deploying over 400,000 troops. However, the Chinese forces, numbering over a million, put up a fierce resistance. The Chinese learned from their earlier defeats and adopted new tactics, such as guerrilla warfare and night attacks.
One of the most significant battles during this period was the Battle of Wanjialing. In this battle, the Chinese forces successfully halted the Japanese advance, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. This victory boosted Chinese morale and demonstrated the resilience of the Chinese army.
The Japanese military’s campaign against Wuhan was marked by intense brutality and disregard for human life. They employed tactics like the use of poison gas and committed atrocities against civilians, including the massacre in Jiujiang.
Despite fierce Chinese resistance, the Japanese eventually captured Wuhan in October 1938. The Chinese forces, led by Chiang Kai-shek, were forced to retreat to Chongqing, a city in the interior of China. Both sides suffered heavy casualties during the Battle of Wuhan, with the Chinese losing hundreds of thousands of soldiers.
The fall of Wuhan marked a significant turning point in the war. While the Chinese had lost a major city, they had also demonstrated their resilience and ability to fight a protracted war of attrition. The Japanese, despite their military victories, were unable to achieve a decisive victory and faced increasing difficulties as the war dragged on.
Communist resistance
Following their victory at Wuhan, the Japanese military turned its attention to the Communist-controlled Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Border Region. However, they faced stiff resistance from the Eighth Route Army, which employed guerrilla tactics to harass and deplete Japanese forces. The Japanese military, unfamiliar with these tactics, suffered significant casualties.
To counter the Communist guerrilla tactics, the Japanese military adopted a strategy of building infrastructure, blockading supply routes, and using violence against civilians. They also sought to establish puppet regimes and expand their militia forces to maintain control over the region. These measures, while effective to some extent, failed to decisively defeat the Communist forces.
The Japanese military’s brutality and its inability to effectively combat the guerrilla tactics of the Eighth Route Army further alienated the Chinese population and prolonged the war.
The Japanese military, facing increasing difficulties in their campaign against China, resorted to strategic bombing as a means to break Chinese morale and force the government to surrender. The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service and the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service launched massive air raids on civilian targets across China, including the wartime capital of Chongqing.
These air raids caused widespread destruction, loss of life, and suffering among the Chinese civilian population. However, the Japanese strategy proved to be ineffective, as the Chinese government and people remained resolute in their resistance. The bombings only served to further harden Chinese resolve and galvanize international condemnation of Japan’s brutality.
Yellow River flood
The 1938 Yellow River flood was a catastrophic event that occurred during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Chinese Nationalist government, faced with the imminent threat of a Japanese invasion, resorted to a desperate measure: the intentional breaching of the Yellow River dikes at Huayuankou.
This act, while controversial, was intended to flood vast areas of Japanese-occupied territory, slowing down their advance and disrupting their supply lines. The floodwaters inundated a massive area, causing widespread devastation and displacement. The ecological and human impact of this event was immense, and the region took many years to recover.
The Chinese Nationalist government’s decision to flood the Yellow River was a desperate but calculated move to thwart the Japanese advance. The strategic objectives behind this decision were threefold:
- Protection of the Longhai Railway: By flooding the Henan region, the Chinese aimed to protect the crucial Longhai Railway, a vital supply route connecting China to the Soviet Union.
- Prevention of Invasion of Sichuan: The flooding of key areas made it difficult for the Japanese to invade the Sichuan Basin, where the Chinese wartime capital of Chongqing was located.
- Disruption of Japanese Logistics: The destruction of railway infrastructure in Henan and Anhui hindered the Japanese military’s ability to move troops and supplies across North and Central China.
While the flooding achieved some short-term tactical advantages, it also had devastating long-term consequences for the region. The ecological damage was immense, and the human suffering was immeasurable. The decision remains a controversial topic, with historians debating its effectiveness and the extent of its impact.
