Marco Polo Bridge Incident Part of Second Sino-Japanese War The National Revolutionary Army troops defending the Marco Polo Bridge, 1937 Date July 7, 1937 Location Vicinity of Beijing – Tianjin Result Japanese Victory Belligerents National Revolutionary Army, Republic of China Imperial Japanese Army, Empire of Japan Commanders Song Zheyuan Kanichiro Tashiro Strength 100,000 - Casualties and losses 16,700 -

v • d • e Second Sino-Japanese War Combatants China  United States1 Soviet Union2  Empire of Japan Collaborationist Chinese Army3 Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Chen Cheng, Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, Li Zongren, Xue Yue, Bai Chongxi, Peng Dehuai, Joseph Stilwell, Claire Chennault, Aleksandr Vasilevsky Hirohito, Fumimaro Konoe, Hideki Tojo, Kotohito Kanin, Matsui Iwane, Hajime Sugiyama, Shunroku Hata... Image File history File links Lugou_battle. ... The National Revolutionary Army (NRA) (traditional Chinese: ; simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: , sometimes shortened to 國軍 or National Army) was the party army of the Kuomintang (KMT) from 1925 until 1947, as well as the national army of the Republic of China during the KMTs period of party rule beginning in 1928. ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Peking redirects here. ...   (Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; Postal map spelling: Tientsin) is one of the four municipalities of China. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China. ... The National Revolutionary Army (NRA) (traditional Chinese: ; simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: , sometimes shortened to 國軍 or National Army) was the party army of the Kuomintang (KMT) from 1925 until 1947, as well as the national army of the Republic of China during the KMTs period of party rule beginning in 1928. ... For the Chinese civilization, see China. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) (KyÅ«jitai: 大日本帝國陸軍, Shinjitai: , Romaji: Dai-Nippon Teikoku Rikugun), or more officially Army of the Greater Japanese Empire was the official ground based armed force of Imperial Japan from 1867 to 1945. ... Anthem Kimi ga Yo Imperial Reign Capital Tokyo Government Constitutional monarchy Emperor  - 1868–1912 Emperor Meiji  - 1912–1926 Emperor Taishō  - 1926–1989 Emperor Shōwa Prime Minister  - 1885-1888, 1892-1896, 1898, 1900-1901 Itō Hirobumi  - 1888-1889 Kuroda Kiyotaka  - 1889-1891 Yamagata Aritomo  - 1906-1908, 1911-1912 Saionji Kinmochi... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Republic_of_China. ... Sòng Zhéyuán (宋哲元) (October 30, 1885-April 5, 1940) was a Chinese general during the Chinese Civil War and World War II. Born in the Zhaohong Village, northwest of downtown area of Leling County, Shandong Province, China, he was educated under his uncle from his mother side, a... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Kanichiro Tashiro (1881-1937) Kanichiro Tashiro was a Lieutenant-General in the Imperial Japanese Army. ... Combatants China  United States1 Soviet Union2  Empire of Japan Collaborationist Chinese Army3 Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Chen Cheng, Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, Li Zongren, Xue Yue, Bai Chongxi, Peng Dehuai, Joseph Stilwell, Claire Chennault, Aleksandr Vasilevsky Hirohito, Fumimaro Konoe, Hideki Tojo, Kotohito Kanin, Matsui Iwane, Hajime Sugiyama, Shunroku Hata... Combatants China  United States1 Soviet Union2  Empire of Japan Collaborationist Chinese Army3 Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Chen Cheng, Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, Li Zongren, Xue Yue, Bai Chongxi, Peng Dehuai, Joseph Stilwell, Claire Chennault, Aleksandr Vasilevsky Hirohito, Fumimaro Konoe, Hideki Tojo, Kotohito Kanin, Matsui Iwane, Hajime Sugiyama, Shunroku Hata... Major engagements in bold Before Second Sino-Japanese War Mukden - Manchuria - (Jiangqiao - Nenjiang Bridge - Chinchow - Harbin) - Shanghai (1932) - Pacification of Manchukuo - Rehe - Great Wall - Inner Mongolia - (Suiyuan) Began in 1937-1939 Marco Polo Bridge - Beiping-Tianjin - Chahar - Shanghai (1937) (Sihang Warehouse) - Beiping-Hankou Railway - Tianjin-Pukou Railway - Taiyuan - (Pingxingguan) - Xinkou - Nanjing - Xuzhou - Taierzhuang - N.-E.Henan - (Lanfeng) - Amoy - Chongqing - Wuhan - (Wanjialing) - Canton - (Hainan) - Nanchang - (Xiushui River) - Suixian-Zaoyang - (Swatow) - 1st Changsha - S.Guangxi - (Kunlun Pass) - Winter Offensive - (Wuyuan) Began in 1940-1942 Zaoyang-Yichang - Hundred Regiments - Vietnam - C. Hupei - S.Henan - W. Hopei - Shanggao - S.Shanxi - 2nd Changsha - 3rd Changsha - Yunnan-Burma Road - (Toungoo) - (Yenangyaung) - Zhejiang-Jiangxi - Sichuan Invasion Began in 1943-1945 W.Hubei - N.Burma-W.Yunnan - Changde - Ichi-Go - C.Henan - 4th Changsha - Guilin-Liuzhou - W.Henan-N.Hubei - W.Hunan - 2nd Guangxi - Operation August Storm

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident (盧溝橋事變; also known as 七七事變, 七七盧溝橋事變 or the Lugouqiao Incident) was a battle between the Republic of China's National Revolutionary Army and theImperial Japanese Army, marking the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). The marble bridge itself, Lugouqiao, is an architectural work of eleven arches, restored by the Kangxi Emperor (1662-1722). Combatants National Revolutionary Army, Republic of China Imperial Japanese Army, Empire of Japan Commanders Zhang Xueliang, Ma Zhanshan, Feng Zhanhai Shigeru Honjo, Jiro Minami Strength 160,000 30,000 - 66,000 Casualties  ?  ? The Mukden Incident of September 18, 1931, known in Japanese as the Manchurian Incident, occurred in southern Manchuria... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, Republic of China Imperial Japanese Army, Empire of Japan Commanders Zhang Xueliang, Ma Zhanshan, Feng Zhanhai, Ting Chao Shigeru Honjo, Jiro Tamon, Senjuro Hayashi Strength 160,000 men 30,000 - 60,450 men Casualties  ?  ? The Japanese invasion of Manchuria began on September 19, 1931, one day... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, China Imperial Japanese Army, Japan Commanders Gen. ... 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 National Revolutionary Army, Anti-Japanese Volunteer Armies, Republic of China Imperial Japanese Army, Empire of Japan Commanders Marshal Zhang Xueliang Lt. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, China Imperial Japanese Army, Japan Commanders Feng Zhanhai, Ting Chao Shigeru Honjo Strength 30,000  ? Casualties  ?  ? After General Ma Zhanshan had been driven from Tsitsihar by the Japanese in the Jiangqiao Campaign he had retreated northeastward with his beaten and depleted forces and had set up... 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... Combatants Anti-Japanese Volunteer Armies, Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, Republic of China Imperial Japanese Army, Empire of Japan, Manchukuo Imperial Army, Manchukuo Commanders Ma Zhanshan, Ting Chao, Tang Juwu, Wang Fengge, Wang Delin, Su Bingwen, Feng Yuxiang, Yang Jingyu, Zhou Baozhong, Li Zhaolin Shigeru Honjo, Nobuyoshi Muto, Takashi Hishikari... The Battle of Rehe was fought from February 21 to March 1 of 1933 between China and Japan. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Operation Nekka. ... After the invasion of Manchuria secured the creation of the puppet state of Manchukuo and Operation Nekka, in 1933 secured Jehol from the Republic of China. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... 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. ... When the China Incident happened, the 1st Independent Mixed Brigade stationed in Manchuria moved to Hebei and fought near Beijing. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, Republic of China Imperial Japanese Army, Empire of Japan Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Chen Cheng Heisuke Yanagawa, Iwane Matsui, Hasegawa Kiyoshi Strength 600,000 troops in 75 divisions and 9 brigades, 200 airplanes 300,000 troops in 8 divisions and 6 brigades, 500 airplanes, 300 tanks... 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, but far more than the Chinese Casualties 27 wounded, 10 killed More than 200 killed The Defense of Sihang Warehouse (Traditional Chinese: , Simplified Chinese: , pinyin... Combatants China, National Revolutionary Army Japan, North China Area Army Commanders ?, ?, ?, ? ?, ? Strength  ?  ? Casualties  ?  ? The Japanese 京漢線作戦 or Peiking – Hankow Railway Operation (Mid August 1937– Dec. ... Combatants Japan, North China Area Army China, National Revolutionary Army Commanders ?, ?, ?, ? ?, ? Strength  ?  ? Casualties  ?  ? The Japanese 津浦線作戦 or Tientsin – Pukow Railway Operation (Early August to mid November, 1937) was a follow up operation to the Peiking Tientsin Operation of the Japanese army in North China at the beginning of the Second Sino... 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 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. ... Combatants China, National Revolutionary Army Japan, Central China Theater Army Commanders Tang Shengzhi Matsui Iwane Strength 100,000 men 8 divisions Casualties ~50,000 military personnel, ~300,000 civilians minimal The Battle of Nanjing (Traditional Chinese: 南京保衛戰; Simplified Chinese: 南京保卫战; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Nan-ching Pao-wei Chan) began after the... The Battle of Xuzhou was fought between Japanese and Chinese forces in May of 1938 during World War Two. ... The Battle of Taierzhuang was a battle of the Second Sino_Japanese War in 1938, between armies of Chinese Kuomintang and Japan. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Bombing of Chongqing (February 18, 1938 - August 23, 1943) was a Japanese strategic bombing campaign against the Chinese provisional capital of Chongqing that lasted 5 1/2 years. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army Military Region 5, 9, Soviet Air Force volunteers[1] Imperial Japanese Army, Central China Expeditionary Force, 11th Army, 2nd Army, China Area Fleet, Central China Aviation Army Corps Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Xue Yue, Wu Qiwei, Zhang Fakui, Wang Jingjiu, Ou Zhentong, Yu Jishi，Duan Langru... Combatants National Revolutionary Army Imperial Japanese Army 106th Division Commanders Xue Yue Matsuura Junrokuro Strength 100,000 15,000 Casualties  ? 10,000+ Battle of Wanjialing, famously known in Chinese text as the Victory of Wanjialing (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: ) refers to the Chinese Armys effort on destroying majority... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Combatants Imperial Japanese Navy, Japan National Revolutionary Army, China Commanders Vice Adm. ... For the Chinese Civil War battle in 1927, see Nanchang Uprising. ... During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Japanese artillery forces marched a long distance into the vast area of continental China. ... 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. ... Combatants Imperial Japanese Army, Japan National Revolutionary Army, China Commanders Major Gen. ... 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... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, China Imperial Japanese Army, Japan Commanders Du Yuming Masao Nakamura Strength  ?  ? Casualties 27,000 men 8000 men The Battle of Kunlun Pass (Traditional Chinese: 崑崙關戰役, Simplified Chinese: 昆仑关战役; pinyin: KÅ«nlúnguān Zhàngyì) was series of battles between the Japanese and the Chinese in contention for... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Combatants Imperial Japanese Army, Japan National Revolutionary Army, China Commanders Shigenori Kuroda Fu Zuoyi Strength 5 - 10,000 28,000 Casualties  ?  ? The Battle of Wuyuan (March 16 - April 3, 1940) was a counterattack that defeated the Japanese invasion of the Wuyuan area. ... 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 Empire of Japan Vichy France Commanders Akihito Nakamura Takuma Nishimura Maurice Martin Strength 34,000 men 2,000 men Casualties  ? 800 The Invasion of French Indochina ), also known as the Vietnam Expedition, was an attempt by the Empire of Japan, during the Second Sino-Japanese War to blockade China... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, Republic of China Imperial Japanese Army, Empire of Japan Commanders Li Zongren Lt. ... 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... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, Republic of China Imperial Japanese Army, Empire of Japan Commanders Li Zongren Lt. ... 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. ... Combatants Japan, Imperial Japanese Army United Kingdom, China, National Revolutionary Army Commanders Lo Cho-ying, Joseph Stilwell Shojiro Iida Strength  ?  ? Casualties  ?  ? Battle of Yunnan-Burma Road (Mid March - Early June 1942) was the name of the Chinese intervention to aid their British allies in the 1942 Burma Campaign. ... Battle of Toungoo, Mar. ... The Battle of Yenangyaung was fought in Burma, now Myanmar during World War II. The Battle The battle for the Yenangyaung oil fields started on 11th April and continued for a week and one of the most desperate actions was against 48th Indian Brigade at Kokkogwa. ... 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. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army, China Imperial Japanese Army, Japan Commanders Chen Cheng Yokoyama Yuu Strength 14 armies 7 divisions Casualties ~60,000 25,830 troops The Battle of West Hubei (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), was one of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese... Combatants United Kingdom, China, National Revolutionary Army Japan, Imperial Japanese Army Commanders Wei Li-huang, Joseph Stilwell, Daniel Isom Sultan Masakazu Kawabe, Heitaro Kimura Strength  ?  ? Casualties  ?  ? Battle of Northern Burma and Western Yunnan (Oct. ... 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. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... 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. ... Combatants National Revolutionary Army Imperial Japanese Army Commanders Xue Yue There were three more battles in Changsha during the Second Sino-Japanese War, in 1939, 1941 and 1944. ... 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 Ho Ying-chin Ichiro Anzai Strength 2 army groups, several companies, NRA Air Force, USAAF 70-80,000 troops in 7 divisions Casualties 13,000 Chinese and estimated 11 USAF soldiers ~20,000 The Battle of West Hunan was one... Combatants China, National Revolutionary Army Japan, Imperial Japanese Army Commanders Chang Fu-kuei, Tang Enbai Yukio Kasahara Strength 30,000 600,000 Casualties 10,000 500,000 The Second Guangxi Campaign (Late April-July, 1945) was a Chinese counteroffensive against the Japanese forces that had taken Guangxi during Operation Ichigo... Combatants Soviet Union Peoples Republic of Mongolia Japan Manchukuo Mengjiang Commanders Aleksandr Vasilevsky Otsuzo Yamada Strength Soviet Union 1,577,225 men, 26,137 artillery, 1,852 sup. ... For other uses, see Battle (disambiguation). ... For the Chinese civilization, see China. ... The National Revolutionary Army (NRA) (traditional Chinese: ; simplified Chinese: ; pinyin: , sometimes shortened to 國軍 or National Army) was the party army of the Kuomintang (KMT) from 1925 until 1947, as well as the national army of the Republic of China during the KMTs period of party rule beginning in 1928. ... The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) (KyÅ«jitai: 大日本帝國陸軍, Shinjitai: , Romaji: Dai-Nippon Teikoku Rikugun), or more officially Army of the Greater Japanese Empire was the official ground based armed force of Imperial Japan from 1867 to 1945. ... Combatants China  United States1 Soviet Union2  Empire of Japan Collaborationist Chinese Army3 Commanders Chiang Kai-shek, Chen Cheng, Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, Li Zongren, Xue Yue, Bai Chongxi, Peng Dehuai, Joseph Stilwell, Claire Chennault, Aleksandr Vasilevsky Hirohito, Fumimaro Konoe, Hideki Tojo, Kotohito Kanin, Matsui Iwane, Hajime Sugiyama, Shunroku Hata... The Lugou Bridge (卢沟桥/盧溝橋), also known as the Marco Polo Bridge, is a famous stone bridge located 15 km outside of Beijing. ... This article is about building architecture. ... For other uses, see Arch (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Kangxi (disambiguation) The Kangxi Emperor (Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Kang-hsi; May 4, 1654 – December 20, 1722) was an Emperor of the Manchu Qing dynasty,[1] and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1661 to 1722. ...

Names

The battle goes by different names.

• In the West
  • The Marco Polo Bridge Incident
  • Battle of Lugou Bridge
• In China
  • Incident of July 7 (七七事變 pinyin: Qīqī Shìbiàn)
  • Lugou Bridge Incident (蘆溝橋事變 Lúgōuqiáo Shìbiàn)
  • 7 July Lugouqiao (七七蘆溝橋 Qīqī Lúgōuqiáo)
• In Japan:
  • Rokō Bridge Matter (盧溝橋事件 Rokōkyō Jiken)
  • Rokō Bridge Incident (盧溝橋事変 Rokōkyō Jihen)

Occident redirects here. ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Pinyin, more formally called Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), is the most common variant of Standard Mandarin romanization system in use. ... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Background

Japan had occupied Manchuria in 1931 and had created a nominally independent state of Manchukuo with Henry Puyi, the last monarch of the Qing Dynasty, as its sovereign. That state is widely regarded to have been a puppet government with real power concentrated in the hands of the Japanese, which constituted the only significant military forces in Manchuria. Although the Kuomintang (KMT) and the international community refused to recognize the legality of the Japanese occupation, a truce had been negotiated in 1931. Combatants National Revolutionary Army, Republic of China Imperial Japanese Army, Empire of Japan Commanders Zhang Xueliang, Ma Zhanshan, Feng Zhanhai, Ting Chao Shigeru Honjo, Jiro Tamon, Senjuro Hayashi Strength 160,000 men 30,000 - 60,450 men Casualties  ?  ? The Japanese invasion of Manchuria began on September 19, 1931, one day... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Flag Anthem National Anthem of Manchukuo Map of Manchukuo Capital Hsinking Government Constitutional monarchy Emperor  - 1932 - 1934 Datong (Chief Executive) (Aisingioro Puyi)  - 1934 - 1945 Kangde-Emperor (Aisingioro Puyi) Prime Minister  - 1932 - 1935 Zheng Xiaoxu  - 1935 - 1945 Zhang Jinghui Historical era World War II  - Established 1932  - Disestablished 1945 Manchukuo (, State of... Aisin-Gioro Puyi¹ (February 7, 1906 - October 17, 1967) was the Xuantong Emperor (宣統皇帝) of China between 1908 and 1924 (ruling emperor between 1908 and 1912, and non-ruling emperor between 1912 and 1924), the tenth (and last) emperor of the Manchu Qing Dynasty to rule over China. ... Flag (1890-1912) Anthem Gong Jinou (1911) Qing China at its greatest extent. ... A puppet state is a state whose government, though notionally of the same culture as the governed people - owes its existence (or other major debt) to being installed, supported or controlled by a more powerful entity, typically a foreign power. ... The Kuomintang of China (abbreviation KMT) [1], also often translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party, is a political party in the Republic of China (ROC), now on Taiwan, and is currently the largest political party in terms of seats in the Legislative Yuan, and the oldest political party in the...

At the end of 1932, the Japanese Kantogun army invaded Rehe Province. The Kuomintang's 29th Corps, led by General Song Zheyuan, resisted the attack, in the Defense of the Great Wall. The province fell to the Japanese after their victory, therefore areas to the west of Beijing (at the time called Beiping) were under Japanese sphere of influence. Year 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1932 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Kantogun (Kanji: 関東軍; Nihon-shiki: Kantōgun; Postal System Pinyin: Kwantungchun; Pinyin: Guandongjun), more commonly known as the Kwantung Army or Guandong Army, was a unit of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). ... Rehe (Simplified Chinese: 热河; Traditional Chinese: 熱河; pinyin: Rèhé; lit. ... The Kuomintang of China (abbreviation KMT) [1], also often translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party, is a political party in the Republic of China (ROC), now on Taiwan, and is currently the largest political party in terms of seats in the Legislative Yuan, and the oldest political party in the... Sòng Zhéyuán (宋哲元) (October 30, 1885-April 5, 1940) was a Chinese general during the Chinese Civil War and World War II. Born in the Zhaohong Village, northwest of downtown area of Leling County, Shandong Province, China, he was educated under his uncle from his mother side, a... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Operation Nekka. ... Peking redirects here. ...

In 1933, Japan incorporated Rehe (also known as Jehol) into Manchukuo, using the security of Manchukuo as a pretext. Consequently all areas north of the Great Wall and hence north of Beijing fell to Japanese influence. He Yingqin (何應欽) and Umezu Yoshijiro (1888-1949) (梅津美治郎) signed an agreement on June 9, 1935, known as the He-Umezu Agreement, recognizing Japanese occupation of Hebei and Chahar. Later that year, Japan established yet another puppet government, the anti-communist East Hebei Autonomous Council (冀東防共自治政府 abbreviated as East Ji Autonomous Government 冀東自治政府). As a result, at the start of 1937 all the areas around Beijing were controlled by Japan. Rehe (热河 or 熱河 pinyin: Rèhé, lit. ... He Yingqin He Yingqin (何应钦 in Chinese) (April 2, 1890 - October 21, 1987), was one of the senior generals of Kuomintang in early stage, and a close ally of Chiang Kai-shek. ... Umezu signing the instrument of surrender to the United States General Yoshijiro Umezu ) (January 4, 1882 - January 8, 1949) was the chief commander of the Japanese army in World War II. In the 1920s Umezu was a member of the Tosei-Ha (Control Group) led by General Kazushige Ugaki along... Year 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 160th day of the year (161st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar). ... On May 29th, 1935 General Yoshijiro Umezu, Commander of the China Garrison Army in Tientsin, on the pretext that a pro Japanese head of a news service had been killed made the following six demands on Gen. ... Hebei (Chinese: 河北; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Ho-pei; Postal System Pinyin: Hopeh) is a northern province of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Chahar (察哈爾 in pinyin: Cháhāěr), also known as Chahaer, Chakhar, or Qahar, was a 24-year-old China established in 1912 now mostly in Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region. ... The Anti-Comintern Pact was concluded between Nazi Germany and Japan on November 25, 1936. ... On November 15, 1935 the Chinese administrator of the eastern district of the demilitarized zone in Hopei, Yin Ju-Keng, asked autonomy for North China, as part of a Japanese inspired autonomy movement. ...

Geography

Marco Polo Bridge today.

Lugou Bridge (蘆溝橋, lúgōuqiáo, literally meaning "Reed-gutter Bridge"), also known as the Marco Polo Bridge because the bridge was believed to be described in the works of Marco Polo, is located in Fengtai, a suburb south of Beijing. It straddles the Yongding River (永定河). Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2560x1920, 676 KB) Description: Marco Polo Bridge (Lugouqiao, 卢沟桥) Source: Date: On Aug. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2560x1920, 676 KB) Description: Marco Polo Bridge (Lugouqiao, 卢沟桥) Source: Date: On Aug. ... The Lugou Bridge (卢沟桥/盧溝橋), also known as the Marco Polo Bridge, is a famous stone bridge located 15 km outside of Beijing. ... Marco Polo (September 15, 1254[1] – January 9, 1324 at earliest but no later than June 1325[2]) was a Venetian trader and explorer who gained fame for his worldwide travels, recorded in the book Il Milione (The Million or The Travels of Marco Polo). ... Peking redirects here. ...

Four strategic posts secured Beijing from the outside:

• To the East: the Town of Tongzhou (通州鎮)
• To the Northwest: the Town of Nankou (南口鎮) in Changping County (昌平縣)
• To the South: the Town of Fengtai (豐台鎮)
• To the Southwest: Lugou Bridge in Wanping County (宛平縣), where the Town of Wanping (宛平鎮) was located. Nanyuan Town (南宛鎮) is located between Wanping town and Beijing.

The Lugou Bridge was the choke point of the Pinghan Railway (Beijing-Wuhan), and guarded the only passage linking Beijing to Kuomintang-controlled area from the south. Peking redirects here. ... For the brand of cymbal, see Wuhan cymbals. ... The Kuomintang of China (abbreviation KMT) [1], also often translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party, is a political party in the Republic of China (ROC), now on Taiwan, and is currently the largest political party in terms of seats in the Legislative Yuan, and the oldest political party in the...

At the start of the battle, the Japanese controlled the East, Northwest and South posts as well as the west end of the Lugou Bridge. The Kuomintang held the east end of the bridge. If the bridge fell, Beijing would be completely cut off and easily captured.

Strategic appraisal

At the time of the war, the Chinese army in north China controlled by Yan Xishan were mostly infantry equipped with outdated rifles and sabers. Some soldiers were recruited from peasants and local gangsters, thus undertrained and underequipped compared to the Japanese Imperial Army. Outnumbering the enemy and exploiting the battlefield landscape to their advantages had been their only ways to defeat the Japanese. Yen Hsi-shan (閻錫山; pinyin: Yán Xíshān) (1883 - 1960) was a Chinese politician who served in the Republic of China government. ... For other uses, see Gangster (disambiguation). ...

For the Japanese, subduing the cities guaranteed the fall of the north of the Huang He portion of the North China Plain, since the Japanese mechanized divisions were formidable against the various Chinese Armies, which had very few aircraft and little anti-tank weaponry. The North China Plain has been an integral region in Chinese culture since ancient times, having formed the core of Chinese territory through the millennia. For other Yellow Rivers, see Yellow River (disambiguation). ... The North China Plain (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), also called the Central Plain(s) (Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), is based on the deposits of the Huang He (Yellow River) and is the largest alluvial plain of eastern Asia. ...

People and divisions involved

Kuomintang

The 29th Army, composed mostly of Feng Yuxiang's forces and infantry, secured the cities of Beijing, Tianjin, and the western part of Hebei Province. Feng Yü-hsiang (Traditional Chinese:馮玉祥, Simplified Chinese: 冯玉祥, pinyin: Féng Yùxíang; 1882-1948) was a warlord during the early years of the Republic of China. ... Peking redirects here. ...   (Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; Postal map spelling: Tientsin) is one of the four municipalities of China. ... Hebei (Chinese: 河北; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Ho-pei; Postal System Pinyin: Hopeh) is a northern province of the Peoples Republic of China. ...

The Kuomintang of China (abbreviation KMT) [1], also often translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party, is a political party in the Republic of China (ROC), now on Taiwan, and is currently the largest political party in terms of seats in the Legislative Yuan, and the oldest political party in the... Sòng Zhéyuán (宋哲元) (October 30, 1885-April 5, 1940) was a Chinese general during the Chinese Civil War and World War II. Born in the Zhaohong Village, northwest of downtown area of Leling County, Shandong Province, China, he was educated under his uncle from his mother side, a... Liu Ruming, Liu Ju-ming, 劉汝明, (1895 – 1975) Chinese general during the Warlord Era, Second Sino-Japanese War and Chinese Civil War. ... Chakhar is a group of the Mongols. ... Hebei (Chinese: 河北; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Ho-pei; Postal System Pinyin: Hopeh) is a northern province of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Zhāng Zìzhōng (Traditional Chinese: 張自忠, Simplified Chinese: 张自忠; Wade-Giles Chang Tzu-chung) (1891-May 16, 1940) was a Chinese general of the National Revolutionary Army (NRA) during the Second Sino-Japanese War. ...   (Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; Postal map spelling: Tientsin) is one of the four municipalities of China. ...

Japan

The Japanese China Garrison Army in the region was a combination of infantry, tanks, mechanized forces, artillery and cavalry. The China Garrison Army (Japanese:支那駐屯軍) was formed 1 June 1901 as the Chinese Empire Garrison Army. ...

Peking redirects here. ...   (Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; Postal map spelling: Tientsin) is one of the four municipalities of China. ...

Deployment

Phase I

Peking redirects here. ...

Phase II

For the Nationalist forces, Phase II was the same as Phase I except 132nd was moved to garrison Nanyuan Town which is between Wanping Town and Beijing.

For the Japanese forces, The 3rd (2nd?) Division of the Kantogun from Chahar Province and the 15th (9th?) Division from Manchuria and troops from Phase I were all commanded by General Hashimoto (橋本大將). The strength of the Japanese Army sharply increased from around 1000 to around 3000. The 34th (?) Division of the Kantogun was on its way from Manchuria and Korea. The Kantogun (Kanji: 関東軍; Nihon-shiki: Kantōgun; Postal System Pinyin: Kwantungchun; Pinyin: Guandongjun), more commonly known as the Kwantung Army or Guandong Army, was a unit of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). ... Chakhar is a group of the Mongols. ...

The battle

Phase I

Chinese troops defending the Marco Polo Bridge.

Beginning late June 1937, the Japanese army (several hundred) deployed at the west end of the bridge were practicing while Kuomintang forces, garrisoned in Wanping Town, watched closely. At dawn on 7 July, the Japanese army telegraphed the Kuomintang forces saying that a soldier was missing and believed to be hiding inside the town. The Japanese demanded that its army should enter the town to search for the missing soldier, who was later found unharmed. There are some disputes among historians over the incident with some historians believing that this was an unintentional accident while others believing that the entire incident was fabricated by the Kantogun in order to provide a pretext for the invasion of central China. Some Japanese historians suggest that the incident was staged by the Chinese Communist Party, who hoped that the incident would lead to a war of attrition between the Japanese army and the Kuomintang, weakening both of the CCP's foes. ^[1] Image File history File links Lugou_battle. ... Image File history File links Lugou_battle. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Kuomintang of China (abbreviation KMT) [1], also often translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party, is a political party in the Republic of China (ROC), now on Taiwan, and is currently the largest political party in terms of seats in the Legislative Yuan, and the oldest political party in the... is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Colonel Ji denied the request backed by his superior, General Song. In the evening of 7 July, Matsui gave Ji an ultimatum that KMT troops must let Japanese troops enter the town within the next hour or the town would be fired upon. The Japanese artillery had already aimed at the town when the ultimatum was sent. At midnight 8 July, Japanese artillery units started bombarding the town while the infantry with tanks marched across the bridge at dawn. With orders from Song, Ji led the KMT forces of about 1000 to defend at all cost. The Japanese army partially overran the bridge and vicinity in the afternoon. KMT forces, after reinforcement from nearby units, outnumbered the Japanese and retook it completely the next day. The Japanese army then halted the attack and offered to negotiate, marking the end of Phase I. Nevertheless the Japanese Army remained concentrated at the west end of the bridge. is the 188th day of the year (189th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Kuomintang of China (abbreviation KMT) [1], also often translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party, is a political party in the Republic of China (ROC), now on Taiwan, and is currently the largest political party in terms of seats in the Legislative Yuan, and the oldest political party in the... is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Phase II

During the meeting of all senior Kuomintang officers of the 29th Army in Beijing on 12 July, Qin insisted that Kuomintang forces must continue defending and resist any temptation to negotiate with the Japanese, whom he did not trust. Zhang in turn argued the incident on 7 July could still be settled by negotiation. Song then sent Zhang as Kuomintang representative to Tianjin to meet General Hashimoto, the commander of all Japanese forces around the cities of Beijing and Tianjin and in Chahar and Rehe Provinces.

At the beginning Hashimoto told Zhang that the Japanese hoped the incident on 7 July could be settled peacefully. Zhang was encouraged by his friendly gesture and telegraphed Song that any more Kuomintang forces around Beijing would be viewed as an escalation and anger the Japanese. However Song thought Hashimoto was only buying time since he received various reconnaissance reports indicating increasing accumulation of Japanese forces from Manchuria and Korea around Beijing. As the recent Chinese victory relied on outnumbering the opponent, he transferred Zhao's 132nd Division accompanied by Qin to a station at Nanyuan Town which was between the bridge and Beijing to keep up the pressure from concentration of Japanese forces. Similar to most Nationalist and Communist forces, the 29th Army was equipped with only rifles and just enough mortars and heavy machine guns, compared to better armed, trained and commanded Japanese troops whose tanks the Chinese armies still did not have any weapon capable of destroying. It should, however, also be noted that the KMT leader, Chiang Kai-Shek held a grudge against the 29th Army due to the fact it was made up primarily of his political rival Feng Yuxiang's troops, and did not provide sufficient support. Chiang Kai-shek (October 31, 1887 – April 5, 1975) was the Chinese military and political leader who assumed the leadership of the Kuomintang (KMT) after the death of Sun Yat-sen in 1925. ... Feng Yü-hsiang (Traditional Chinese:馮玉祥, Simplified Chinese: 冯玉祥, pinyin: Féng Yùxíang; 1882-1948) was a warlord during the early years of the Republic of China. ...

The Japanese promised not to invade Beijing and Tianjin upon agreement of all following terms:

1) The Kuomintang must wipe out all anti-Japanese organizations and halt all anti-Japanese activities inside the cities.
2) The Kuomintang must take all responsibilities of the incident on 7 July.
3) Song, not any other inferior officer of the 29th Army, must apologize.

Zhang accepted the first term and the commander of the battalion under Ji's command was to be relieved as an agreement to the second. However Zhang told Hashimoto that he could not decide on behalf of Song, thus could not agree on the third term at the time. He then returned to Beijing. Hashimoto also hinted that the Japanese would preferred Zhang as the commander of KMT troops around the city. As soon as Zhang left, the Japanese launched a full-scale attack on Beijing.

Three days after Zhang headed for the city, the bridge and Wanping Town fell to the Japanese. Nanyuan Town fell on the next day with both divisions (37th and 132nd) shattered. Zhao was mortally wounded on the battlefield and Qin retreated with the remnants back to the city. In the evening after the fall of Nanyuan Town, Zhang finally arrived. In order to do so he had to pass through enemy lines to reach the city. Several days later, Song relieved himself of all non-military posts and appointed Zhang to take his posts and the mayorship of Beijing. Qin and Song then led the 29th Army out of the city, which was going to be surrounded within hours and left Zhang with virtually no troops. Japanese armies entered the city on 18 August without much resistance and installed Zhang as mayor. However Zhang felt he was betrayed and left the city secretly a week later. is the 230th day of the year (231st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Aftermath

With the fall of Beijing on 29 July and Tianjin on 30th, the North China Plain was helpless against Japanese mechanized divisions who occupied it by the end of the year. is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The North China Plain (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), also called the Central Plain(s) (Chinese: ; Pinyin: ), is based on the deposits of the Huang He (Yellow River) and is the largest alluvial plain of eastern Asia. ...

The Chinese armies were on constant retreat until the hard fought Chinese victory at Tai'er Zhuang. The Battle of Taierzhuang was a battle of the Second Sino_Japanese War in 1938, between armies of Chinese Kuomintang and Japan. ...

There are some disputes among historians over the KMT's handling of the encroachment of Japanese troops upon Beijing, with some believing that Zhang and Song secretly co-operated with Zhang's appointment to non-military posts in Beijing. Song and Qin could then safely retreat from the city to retain the fighting ability of the 29th Army.

Others believe that the Japanese betrayed Zhang as they still invaded the cities, even though the KMT agreed to all terms. Zhang was vilified relentlessly by the Chinese press, some of which like that of Shanghai reviled him as the traitor of the country. Upon arrival at Nanjing he apologized publicly. Since he later died fighting against the Japanese, the KMT pardoned Zhang for his activities in Beijing. For other uses, see Shanghai (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Nanjing (disambiguation). ...

See also

• Pacific War
• History of the Republic of China
• Military of the Republic of China
• Kuomintang

For other uses, see Pacific War (disambiguation). ... ‹ The template below (History of China - BC) is being considered for deletion. ... The Republic of China (commonly known as Taiwan) maintains a large military establishment, which accounted for 16. ... The Kuomintang of China (abbreviation KMT) [1], also often translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party, is a political party in the Republic of China (ROC), now on Taiwan, and is currently the largest political party in terms of seats in the Legislative Yuan, and the oldest political party in the...

Notes

External links

• The Marco Polo Bridge Virtual Tour and Photographs
• Bridge described
• Japanese soldiers in the Marco Polo Bridge (Japanese)
• Marco Polo Bridge Incident - July 7th, 1937