Chinese War of Resistance Against Japan: 60 Military Operations

Author: Liu Wei, Yuan Jingwei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: In early 1932, snow fell across the vast Northeast Plain, with biting winds and mournful cries filling the air. The expansive black soil of Northeast China faced an exceptionally harsh winter. The cold weather was matched only by the coldness of hearts. In March, under the direction of the Japanese Kwantung Army, the former Qing Emperor Puyi made his debut in Changchun, declaring himself the emperor of the puppet "Manchukuo." Japan's move immediately drew widespread condemnation internationally. Japan needed to divert the world's attention away from Manchuria. Kwantung Army commander Itagaki Seishirō called the Japanese military attaché in Shanghai, Major Tanaka Yoshirō, on the phone: "The attention of foreigners is annoying. Let's stir up some trouble in Shanghai!" Thus, the so-called "Japanese Monk Incident" occurred. On January 18, 1932, five Japanese Lotus Sect monks who had been begging for alms in Shanghai were suddenly "attacked." This was actually a plot orchestrated by Major Tanaka, with the help of Japanese spy Kiki (daughter of the former Qing Prince Su, adopted by Japanese politicians) bribing local thugs. However, the Japanese consul in Shanghai, Murai, turned the tables and unjustly demanded that the Shanghai Municipal Government close the Shanghai Anti-Japanese National Salvation League and the Min Dynasty Daily. On January 26, he issued what was called the Proclamation of Peace, demanding a satisfactory response from China within 48 hours, or else the Japanese army would take "appropriate measures." Meanwhile, Saltara Koji, commander of the Japanese 1st External Expeditionary Fleet in Shanghai, issued a statement demanding that the mayor of Shanghai "provide a satisfactory response promptly and implement it, or else the Imperial interests will be protected by taking the necessary measures." At the same time, over 30 Japanese naval warships entered the Huangpu River, and thousands of marines landed in Shanghai, their insatiable desire for conquest having already made them lose the "reasonableness" and "dignity" they claimed to uphold.
Unable to endure any longer, they vowed to fight the brutal Japanese to the end. As Saltara Koji issued his statement, the Japanese Navy's light cruiser Daikai, the 15th Destroyer Division, the Wuhang Special Marine Brigade, and the special service ship Noto-Ryu (a seaplane tender) arrived in Shanghai on the 23rd and 24th, respectively. On the 26th, the 1st Torpedo Division (comprising three destroyer divisions) was also sent toward Shanghai. Before the "September 18th Incident," the Japanese Special Marine Brigade in Shanghai numbered over 600. After the incident, two additional divisions and one squadron were added, bringing the total to around 1,800. When the Battle of Shanghai broke out, the Japanese Navy's 1st External Expeditionary Fleet in the Shanghai area and the Yangtze River basin included the 15th, 22nd, 23rd, and 30th destroyer divisions (each with a of four destroyers), four light cruisers, and one seaplane tender (carrying six seaplanes), with the flagship Anzhu. The marine forces included the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd divisions. The Chinese forces guarding Shanghai at the time were the two regiments of the 78th Division of the 19th Route Army and the garrison troops of the Shanghai Fortress, as well as the North Station. Jiang Guangnai was the commander-in-chief of the 19th Route Army, while Cai Tingkai served as the deputy commander-in-chief and commander of the 19th Route Army.
On the night of January 28, 1932, at 11:07, Japanese marines gathered in the area of North Sichuan Road and Tongtian'an Station. By 11:30, over 1,000 Japanese soldiers, accompanied by armored vehicles, suddenly attacked the 1st Battalion of the 78th Division of the 19th Route Army. Another group of over 600 Japanese soldiers attacked the 2nd Battalion of the 6th Division and set fire to shops. In accordance with a secret order from headquarters issued on the 23rd, the Chinese forces immediately retaliated.