The Japanese Invasion of North China 1931-1932🎙️The Pacific War Ep 2

The Pacific War Channel Podcast

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The Empire of Japan invaded Manchuria following the Mukden Incident of 1931 and established the puppet state of Manchukuo by 1933. The Kwantung Army aimed to expand their control to include the Rehe province due to its strategic and economic significance. Initially, attempts to integrate Rehe through negotiations failed, leading the Japanese to take direct action.

The Japanese launched Operation Nekka on February 23, 1933, aiming to conquer Rehe and annex it to Manchukuo. This operation involved a coordinated three-pronged advance with the ultimate goal of seizing Chengde, the capital of Rehe. Japanese forces comprised the 6th and 8th Divisions, supported by puppet forces.

Despite some resistance, Chinese defenses were weak, and Japanese forces quickly advanced, taking key cities such as Kailu, Chaoyang, and Chifeng. The rapid Japanese advance led to the fall of Rehe's capital, Chengde, on March 4, 1933, as Chinese forces either surrendered or fled. The Japanese success in Rehe emboldened the Kwantung Army for further aggression.

Japanese forces quickly overwhelmed Chinese troops, pushing them to defend positions along the Great Wall and in northern Hebei province. Despite the dire situation, Chinese leader Chiang Kai-Shek prioritized combating communist insurgents in Jiangxi Province over sending reinforcements to northern China. Japanese forces, under Field Marshal Baron Nobuyoshi Muto, advanced towards the Great Wall, capturing significant areas and confronting Chinese troops in multiple battles, including Gubeikou and Nantianmen. Though the Chinese attempted to resist, their forces suffered heavy casualties, reaching around 40,000, while Japanese casualties were likely higher than the reported 2,400. The Japanese ultimately gained control of key areas, leading to the Tanggu Truce, in which China recognized Manchukuo and ceded territory. Despite the treaty, this did not mark the end of Japan's ambitions in China.