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The Battle of Nanjing (Traditional Chinese: 南京保衛戰; Simplified Chinese: 南京保卫战; Hanyu Pinyin: Nánjīng Bǎowèi Zhàn; Wade-Giles: Nan-ching Pao-wei Chan) began after the fall of Shanghai in October 9, 1937, and ended with the fall of the capital city of Nanjing in December, 1937 to Japanese troops, a few days after the Republic of China Government had evacuated the city and relocated to Chongqing. The Nanking Massacre followed the fall of the city. Image File history File links Wiki_letter_w. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, Republic of China Imperial Japanese Army, Empire of Japan Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, Zhu De, He Yingqin Tojo Hideki, Matsui Iwane, Minami Jiro, Kesago Nakajima, Toshizo Nishio, Neiji Okamura. ... Nanjing (Chinese: 南京 [ ]; Romanizations: NánjÄ«ng (Pinyin) , Nan-ching (Wade-Giles), Nanking (Postal System Pinyin) ) is the capital of Chinas Jiangsu Province and a city with a prominent place in Chinese history and culture. ... Nanjing (Chinese: 南京 [ ]; Romanizations: NánjÄ«ng (Pinyin) , Nan-ching (Wade-Giles), Nanking (Postal System Pinyin) ) is the capital of Chinas Jiangsu Province and a city with a prominent place in Chinese history and culture. ... The Nanking Massacre (Chinese: 南京大屠杀, pinyin: Nánjīng Dàtúshā; Japanese: 南京大虐殺, Nankin Dai Gyaku-satsu), also known as the Rape of Nanking and sometimes in Japan as the Nanking Incident (南京事件, Nankin Jiken), refers to what many historians recognize as widespread atrocities committed by the Japanese army in and around Nanking... The National Revolutionary Army (NRA) (Chinese: 國民革命軍; pinyin: guo2 min2 ge2 ming4 jun1) was the national army of the Republic of China. ... Tang Shengzhi (唐生智) (1889-April 6, 1970) was a Chinese military commander during World War II. He was put in command of Nanking during the citys siege in December 1937 by the Japanese. ... Gen. ... Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to fifteen thousand soldiers. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, Republic of China Imperial Japanese Army, Empire of Japan Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, Zhu De, He Yingqin Tojo Hideki, Matsui Iwane, Minami Jiro, Kesago Nakajima, Toshizo Nishio, Neiji Okamura. ... The Mukden Incident of September 18, 1931, also called the Manchurian Incident, occurred in southern Manchuria when a section of railroad, owned by Japans South Manchuria Railway, near Mukden (todays Shenyang) was blown up. ... Resistance at Nenjiang Bridge was a small war fought between small forces of Chinese militias against the Japanese Imperial Army and collaborationist forces, after the Mukden Incident in which Manchuria was lost to Japan. ... Combatants Republic of China, 19th Route Army, 5th Army Empire of Japan, Imperial Japanese Army, 2nd Independent Tank Company, Shanghai Expeditionary Force Commanders 19th Route Army: Jiang Guangnai (Chinese: 蔣光鼐), 5th Army: Zhang Zhizhong (Chinese: 張治中) Commander: Yoshinori Shirakawa (Japanese: 白川義則), Chief of staff: Kanichiro Tashiro (Japanese: 田代皖一郎) Strength 50,000 90,000 Casualties... The Defense of the Great Wall (Traditional Chinese: 長城抗戰; Simplified Chinese: 长城抗战; Pinyin: Chángchéng Kàngzhàn) (January 1 - May 31, 1933) was a battle between the armies of Republic of China and Empire of Japan, before official hostilities of the Sino-Japanese War commenced in 1937. ... The Battle of Rehe was fought from February 21 to March 1 of 1933 between China and Japan. ... The Marco Polo Bridge Incident (盧溝橋事變; also known as 七七事變, 七七盧溝橋事變) was a battle between Japans Imperial Army and Chinas National Revolutionary Army, marking the beginning of the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). ... The Battle of Beiping-Tianjin (Traditional Chinese: 平津作戰; Simplified Chinese: 平津作战; pinyin: ) (25 July - 31 July 1937) was a battle fought during the Second Sino-Japanese War in the proximity of Beiping (now Beijing) and Tianjin. ... Combatants Republic of China National Revolutionary Army Empire of Japan Imperial Japanese Army, Shanghai Expeditionary Force, Central China Theater Army, Imperial Japanese Navy Third Fleet Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Xie Jinyuan Heisuke Yanagawa, Iwane Matsui Strength 600,000 troops in 75 divisions and 9 brigades, 250 airplanes 300,000 troops... Combatants 524th Regiment, 88th Division, National Revolutionary Army 3rd Division, Imperial Japanese Army Commanders Xie Jinyuan Iwane Matsui Strength 414 men including 16 officers Unknown Casualties 27 wounded, 10 killed More than 200 killed The Defense of Sihang Warehouse, from 26 October to 1 November 1937, marked the beginning of... The Battle of Pingxingguan, commonly called the Great Victory of Pingxingguan (平型关大捷) in Mainland China, was an engagement fought between the 8th Route Army of the Chinese Communist Party and the Imperial Japanese Army on September 25, 1937. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, China Imperial Japanese Army, Japan Commanders Yan Xishan Strength Casualties The Battle of Xinkou (Traditional Chinese: 忻口會戰; Simplified Chinese: 忻口会战; pinyin: ) was the second of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. ... The Battle of Taiyuan is a major battle fought between China and Japan near Taiyuan, which lies in the 2nd China Theater. ... The Battle of Taierzhuang (Traditional Chinese: 臺兒莊會戰; Simplified Chinese: 台儿庄会战; pinyin: ) was a battle of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1938, between armies of Chinese Kuomintang and Japan, and is sometimes considered as a part of Battle of Xuzhou. ... The Battle of Xuzhou was fought between Japanese and Chinese forces in May of 1938 during World War Two. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army Military Region 5,9, Soviet Air Force volunteers Imperial Japanese Army Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Xue Yue, Wu Qiwei, Zhang Fakui, Wang Jingjiu, Ou Zhentong, Yu Jishi，Duan Langru, Feng Shenfa, Wang Yaowu, Zhang Lingpu, Li Tsung-jen, Sun Lianzhong, Song Xiqian, Tian Zhennan, Feng Anbang... During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese artillery forces marched a long distance into the vast area of continental China. ... For the Chinese Civil War battle in 1927, see Nanchang Uprising. ... The Battle of Suixian-Zaoyang (Traditional Chinese: 隨棗會戰; Simplified Chinese: 随枣会战; pinyin: ), also known as the Battle of Suizao was one of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. ... Battle of Changsha (September 17, 1939 _ October 6, 1939) was the first attempt by Japan to take the city of China, during the second Sino-Japanese War. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, China Imperial Japanese Army, Japan Commanders Strength 120,000 troops in 12 armies 70,000 troops in 4 divisions Casualties The Battle of South Guangxi (Traditional: 桂南會戰; Simplified: 桂南会战; Hanyu Pinyin: ), was one of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during... The Battle of Zaoyang-Yichang (Traditional Chinese: 棗宜會戰; Simplified Chinese: 枣宜会战; pinyin: ), also known as the Battle of Zaoyi was one of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. ... The Hundred Regiments Offensive (Chinese: 百團大戰) (August 20, 1940 - December 5, 1940) was a major campaign of the Communist Party of Chinas Red Army commanded by Peng Dehuai against the Imperial Japanese Army in Central China. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, China Imperial Japanese Army, Japan Commanders Li Zongren Strength 3 armies 3 divisions Casualties 9,000 troops The Battle of South Henan (Traditional: 豫南會戰; Simplified: 豫南会战; Hanyu Pinyin: ), was one of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino... The Battle of Shanggao (Traditional Chinese: 上高會戰; Simplified Chinese: 上高会战; pinyin: ) was one of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, China Imperial Japanese Army, Japan Commanders Wei Lihuang (衛立煌)  ? Strength 180,000 troops in 8 armies 100,000 troops in 6 divisions, 3 brigades Casualties  ? more than 20,000 troops The Battle of South Shanxi (Traditional: 晉南會戰; Simplified: 晋南会战; Hanyu Pinyin: ), also known as the Battle of Jinnan was... The Battle of Changsha (September 6, 1941 _ October 8, 1941) was Japans second attempt in taking the city of China, as part of the second Sino-Japanese War. ... The Battle of Changsha (December 24, 1941 _ January 15, 1942) was the third attempt by Japan to take the city of China during the China following their attack on Pearl Harbor. ... The Battle of Zhejiang-Jiangxi refers to a campaign by the Japanese Imperial Army and allied Chinese forces in the Chinese provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangxi in 1942. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, China Imperial Japanese Army, Japan Commanders Bai Chongxi Strength 14 armies 7 divisions Casualties ~60,000 25,830 troops The Battle of West Hubei (Traditional: 鄂西會戰; Simplified: 鄂西会战; Hanyu Pinyin: ), was one of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the... The Battle of Changde (Traditional Chinese: 常德會戰; Simplified Chinese: 常德会战; pinyin: ) was a major engagement in the Second Sino-Japanese War. ... The Battle of Henan-Hunan-Guangxi (Traditional Chinese: 豫湘桂會戰; Simplified Chinese: 豫湘桂会战; pinyin: ) also known as Operation Ichigo or Tairiku Datsu Sakusen (Japanese:一号作戦 or 大陸打通作戦) was a series of major battles between the Imperial Japanese Army forces and the Republic of China Army, fought from April to December 1944. ... The Battle of Changsha (1944), also known as the Battle of Hengyang or Battle of Hengyang-Changsha, was an invasion of the Chinese province of Hunan by Japanese troops near the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War. ... The Battle of Guilin-Liuzhou (Traditional Chinese: 桂柳會戰; Simplified Chinese: 桂柳会战; pinyin: ), also known as the Battle of Guiliu was one of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, China Imperial Japanese Army, Japan Commanders Strength 17 armies 5 divisions, 3 brigades Casualties  ? 15,000 troops The Battle of West Henan-North Hubei (Traditional: 豫西鄂北會戰; Simplified: 豫西鄂北会战; Hanyu Pinyin: ), was one of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the... Combatants China, National Revolutionary Army Japan, Imperial Japanese Army Commanders He Yingqin 板西一良 (??) Strength 2 army groups, several companies, NRA Air Force, USAF 70-80,000 troops in 7 divisions Casualties Unknown ~20,000 {{{notes}}} The Battle of West Hunan was the last of the 22 major engagements involving 100,000... Traditional Chinese characters are one of two standard character sets of printed contemporary Chinese written language. ... Simplified Chinese characters (Simplified Chinese: 简体字; Traditional Chinese: 簡體字; pinyin: jiÇŽntǐzì; also called 简化字/簡化字, jiÇŽnhuàzì) are one of two standard character sets of printed contemporary Chinese written language. ... Pinyin (拼音, Pīnyīn) literally means join (together) sounds (a less literal translation being phoneticize, spell or transcription) in Chinese and usually refers to Hànyǔ Pīnyīn (汉语拼音, literal meaning: Han language pinyin), which is a system of romanization (phonetic notation and transliteration to roman script) for Standard Mandarin used in the... Wade-Giles, sometimes abbreviated Wade, is a Romanization (phonetic notation and transliteration) system for the Chinese language based on Mandarin. ... Shanghai (Chinese: 上海 pinyin: ; Shanghainese: ), situated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta in East China, is Chinas largest city. ... October 9 is the 282nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (283rd in leap years). ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Nanjing (Chinese: 南京 [ ]; Romanizations: NánjÄ«ng (Pinyin) , Nan-ching (Wade-Giles), Nanking (Postal System Pinyin) ) is the capital of Chinas Jiangsu Province and a city with a prominent place in Chinese history and culture. ... Motto: None Anthem: National Anthem of the ROC Capital Taipei (de facto)1 Largest city Taipei City Official language(s) Mandarin (Guoyü) Government President Vice President Premier Multiparty democracy Chen Shui-bian Annette Lu Su Tseng-chang Establishment Xinhai Revolution Declared  October 10, 1911 Established  January 1, 1912 Relocation to... Chongqing (Simplified Chinese: 重庆; Traditional Chinese: 重慶; Pinyin: Chóngqìng; Wade-Giles: Chung-ching; Postal System Pinyin: Chungking) is the largest and most populous of the Peoples Republic of Chinas four provincial-level municipalities, and the only one in the less densely populated western half of China. ... The references in this article would be clearer with a different style of citation, footnoting or external linking. ...

Before Battle

General Tang Shengzhi was given the job of defending Nanjing following the retreat of the Chinese Army following the Battle of Shanghai. In a press release to foreign reporters, he announced the city would not surrender and would fight to the death. The defense force blocked roads, ruined boats, and burnt nearby villages, preventing many citizens from evacuating. General Tang Shengzhi gathered about 100,000 soldiers, mostly untrained, including a few defeated troops from the Shanghai battlefield, to defend the capital. He also placed the 35th division as well as 72th division of his troop at the port to prevent people from fleeing Nanjing. However, the government left Nanking on December 1, and the president left on December 7. Nanking was left to an International Committee led by John Rabe. Tang Shengzhi (唐生智) (1889-April 6, 1970) was a Chinese military commander during World War II. He was put in command of Nanking during the citys siege in December 1937 by the Japanese. ... The Battle of Shanghai (Chinese: 淞滬會戰, lit. ... Shanghai (Chinese: 上海 pinyin: ; Shanghainese: ), situated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta in East China, is Chinas largest city. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... December 7 is the 341st day (342nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... John Rabe (November 23, 1882 – January 5, 1950) was a German businessman who rescued more than 250,000 Chinese from slaughter during the Nanjing Massacre. ...

Battle

After occupying nearby countryside and unsuccessfully demanding a surrender, the Japanese troops under Lt. Gen. Asaka Yasuhiko (filling in for Gen. Matsui Iwane) launched a massive assault on the city on December 9. The sheer force caused Chinese commanders to order a retreat across the Yangtze River starting on the evening of December 12. The spontaneous order in the midst of the chaos gave few Chinese soldiers the ability to escape. This was not helped by the previous boat burning that limited the ability to cross the river. Asaka Yasuhiko (朝香鳩彦 Asaka Yasuhiko, 2 October 1887 - 13 April 1981), Prince Asakanomiya (朝香宮) of Japan, was a member of the Japanese imperial family and a career army officer. ... Gen. ...

On December 13, the 6th and 116th Divisions of the Japanese Army first entered the city. Simotaniously, the 9th Division entered nearby Guanghua Gate, and the 16th Division entered Zhongshan and Taiping Gate. That same afternoon, two small Japanese Navy fleets arrived on both sides of the Yangtze River. Nanking fell to the Japanese by nightfall. Japans honor guard often marches to greet the arrival of foreign dignitaries. ... The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) (大日本帝國海軍 Dai-Nippon Teikoku Kaigun or 日本海軍 Nippon Kaigun) was the navy of Japan before 1945. ...

In the following six weeks, the Japanese troops committed the grotesque Nanking Massacre. The references in this article would be clearer with a different style of citation, footnoting or external linking. ...

Aftermath

Several cities, including Xuzhou and Wuhan soon fell after this battle. The government also tried to slow down the advancing Japanese by causing the 1938 Huang He flood, which covered three provinces. Xuzhou (Chinese: 徐州; Hanyu Pinyin: ), known as Pengcheng (Chinese: 彭城; Hanyu Pinyin: ) in ancient times, is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Jiangsu province, Peoples Republic of China. ... Location within China Modern and ancient Wuhan (Simplified Chinese: 武汉; Traditional Chinese: 武漢; Pinyin: Wǔhàn) is the capital of Hubei province, and is the most populous city in central China. ... In June 1938, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Nationalist troops under Chiang Kai-Shek broke the levees holding back the Yellow River in order to stop the advancing Japanese troops. ...

See also

• Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)
• Battle of Shanghai
• Battle of Taierzhuang
• Battle of Wuhan