Shanghai Scuffle CBI (id:#62286)

(Schwerpunkt #20 ID: SP237)   [next]   [previous]

Shanghai, China 1937-08-17 (1 other)

Overview:

Throughout the 1930s, Japan pecked at China, provoking “incidents”, demanding apologies, brandishing ultimatums, and seizing terrain. The Japanese already had marines in Shangai’s districts. After another “incident”, Japan demanded China abandon Shanghai completely. Reinforcing this ultimatum, additional Japanese marines were brought in, along with a naval flotilla anchored in the Huangpu River. Ferocious fighting erupted, since General Kai-shek finally decided to make a stand in Shanghai. On August 17th, the Chinese were able to press the Japanese within one mile of the river bank. On the night of the 18th, the Chinese broke through the Japanese lines and actually took one of the wharves. The Japanese were facing potential catastrophe. Losing the river docks would cut off the Japanese troops from supplies and reinforcements. After sunrise, desperate Japanese marines counterattacked behind light tanks and armored cars, while warships belched shells pointblank.

Defender: Chinese (87th Infantry Division)  

Errata (source)