Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze

by Harmsen, Peter

  57. NCDN, August 18, 1937.

  58. NCDN, August 18, 1937.

  59. Teitler et al., p. 98; Bruce, pp. 16–17.

  60. Bruce, p. 19.

  61. For example, on September 8, a shell exploded inside the Chinese staff quarters, injuring four warders. NCDN, September 9, 1937.

  62. Riben haijun zai Zhongguo zuozhan, pp. 205–206.

  63. Bix, p. 324.

  64. Clifford, Nicholas Rowland. Retreat from China: British Policy in the Far East 1937–1941. Seattle WA: University of Washington Press, 1967, p. 23.

  65. Guo Rugui et al., p. 536.

  66. Chen Cheng. “Chen Cheng siren huiyi ziliao” [“Chen Cheng’s personal recollections”], Minguo Dang’an, 1987, no. 1, pp. 14–15.

  67. DSBS, p. 10.

  68. Guo Rugui et al., p. 536.

  69. Li Junsan, p. 75.

  70. DSBS, p.11.

  71. Li Junsan, p. 75.

  72. Zhang Fakui, p. 461.

  73. Song Xilian. “Xuezhan Songhu” [“Bloody Songhu Battle”], in BSK, p. 172.

  74. Chen Yiding, p. 112.

  75. DSBS, p.11.

  76. Riben haijun zai Zhongguo zuozhan, p. 205.

  77. Guo Rugui et al., pp. 536–538.

  78. DSBS, p. 13. It is no coincidence that the writer of the German report, Robert Borchardt, was a tank specialist, one of the few educated by the Reichswehr.

  79. Zhang Zhizhong, p. 78.

  80. Wu Yujun. “Junmin cheng yiti” [“Army and People Become One”], in BSK, p. 199.

  81. Fang Jing. “Hongjiang, Baoshan, Yuepu, Guangfu xuezhanji” [“An Account of the Bloody Battles of Hongjiang, Baoshan, Yuepu and Guangfu”], in BSK, p. 187.

  82. This phrase was coined by the Canadian writer Emily Pauline Johnson in the poem The Man in Chrysanthemum Land, written at the end of the Russo-Japanese War.

  83. Hanson, p. 120.

  84. Alcott, pp. 228–229.

  85. Hanson, p. 120.

  86. Goette, John. Japan Fights for Asia. New York NY: Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1943, p. 39.

  87. Handbook on Japanese Military Forces. Washington DC: War Department, 1944, p. 9.

  88. Dorn, p. 9.

  89. Hanson, p. 119.

  90. Hanson, p. 120.

  91. Hanson, p. 120.

  92. Powell, p. 308.

  93. Bruce, p. 16.

  94. Japanese Monograph No. 166, p. 30.

  95. This practice was not abolished until early October.

  96. Japanese Monograph No. 166, p. 30.

  97. War Office, 5867/9/20.

  98. Fang Jing, p. 186.

  99. In fact, Chinese planes were observed over Shanghai as late as October.

  100. Fang Zhendong. “Yi cun heshan, yi cun xue,” broadcast by Taiwan TV station CTS in 1995 and 1996.

  101. DSBS, p. 10.

  102. Bruce, p. 15.

  103. North China Herald, September 1, 1937.

  104. DSBS, pp. 11–12.

  105. Guo Rugui et al., p. 536.

  106. DSBS, p. 12.

  107. The Amaya Detachment, named after its commander Amaya Shinjiro, consisted of the 11th Division’s 12th Regiment, reinforced with one artillery battalion (Guo Rugui et al., p. 544).

  108. Riben haijun zai Zhongguo zuozhan, p. 228.

  109. The account is based on Nanjing Datusha Shiliaoji [Collection of Historical Records on the Nanjing Massacre]. Nanjing: Jiangsu renmin chubanshe, 2005, vol. 60, pp. 116–119. Hereafter cited as NDS.

  110. War Office, 5595/9/10.

  111. Kalyagin, Aleksandr Ya. Along Alien Roads. New York NY: Columbia University, 1983, pp. 103–104.

  112. Bruce, p. 18.

  CHAPTER FOUR: “BANZAI! BANZAI! BANZAI!”

  1. The account of Matsui’s movements on August 23 and the days immediately before is based mainly on his war journal, published in Chinese translation in NDS, vol. 8, pp. 20–199. Entries containing particular information about the landing are on pp. 29–32.

  2. Nagumo, born in 1887, later became one the key actors in both the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway. He shot himself in the last stages of the battle for Saipan in July 1944.

  3. NDS, vol. 8, p. 30.

  4. “View From Warship,” NCDN, August 24, 1937, contains a vivid description of the landing.

  5. “View from the Warship,” NCDN, August 24, 1937. The Dutch spy, de Fremery, uses the same newspaper account in one of his dispatches, but errouneously assumes that it is a description of the parallel landing at Chuanshakou. Teitler, p. 103.

  6. Guo Rugui et al., p. 538; Shina jihen rikugun sakusen, I, Showa jusan nen ichi gatsu made [Official military history, vol. 86, Army operations during the China incident, part I: to January 1938]. Tokyo: Asagumo shimbunsha, 1975, p. 277.

  7. Zhang Zhizhong, p. 79.

  8. More specifically, the area between Baoshan and Luodian.

  9. Zhang Zhizhong, pp. 79–80.

  10. Li Guanru. Tumu dizhu: Guojun dishiba jun zhanshi [Indomitable Power: The War History of the 18th Army Group]. Taipei: Zhibingtang chubanshe, 2012, p. 74; Zhang Zhizhong, p. 79; Zhongguo dier lishi dang’an guan, p. 419.

  11. Teitler et al., p. 104; Zhang Zhizhong, p. 80.

  12. Qin Xiaoyi (ed.). ZhonghuaMinguo zhongyao shiliao chubian—Duiri Kangzhan shiqi [A Preliminary Compilation of Important Historical Document for the Republic of China—the Period of the War Against Japan], vol. 2. Taipei: Zhongguo Guo-mindang zhongyangweiyuanhui dangshiweiyuanhui, 1981, p. 181.

  13. Li Guanru, pp. 74–75.

  14. Yan Kaiyun et al. “Zhanghuabang, Baiziqiao zhandou” [“The Battles for Zhanghuabang and Eight Character Bridge”], in BSK, pp. 203–204; Yuan Ying et al., vol. 1, pp. 141–148.

  15. Yan Kaiyun et al., p. 204; Yuan Ying et al., p. 144.

  16. Liu, F. F. A Military History of Modern China, 1924–1949. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1956, pp. 91–94. The practice of setting up Lehr units dates back at least to the early 19th century in Germany. See, Siegert, Wilhelm. Geschichte des Lehr Infanterie Bataillons 1820 bis 1896. Mit einem Nachtrag, die Jahre 1897–1906 umfassend von Armin Witthauer. Berlin: E.S. Mittler und Sohn, 1912. See also, Askew, David. “Defending Nanjing: An Examination of the Capital Garrison Forces,” in Sino-Japanese Studies, vol. 15, 2003, p. 151, and Zhang Ruide. 1937 nian deguojun. Taipei: Academia Sinica, 2005, p. 19.

  17. Yan Kaiyun et al., p. 204.

  18. Yuan Ying et al., vol. 1, p. 144.

  19. Yuan Ying et al., vol. 1, pp. 144–145.

  20. Yuan Ying et al., vol. 1, p. 145.

  21. Yan Kaiyun et al., p. 204.

  22. Yan Kaiyun et al., p. 205.

  23. Yan Kaiyun et al., pp. 205–206.

  24. Ge Yunlong, p. 10.

  25. Chen Cheng, 1987, p. 14.

  26. Cao Jianlang. Zhongguo Guomindangjun jianshi [A Brief History of the Chinese Nationalist Forces]. Beijing: Jiefangjun chubanshe, 2009, p. 565.

  27. Zhang Zhizhong, p. 82.

  28. DSBS, p. 15.

  29. Guo Rugui et al., p. 539.

  30. DSBS, p. 16.

  31. Forman, p. 208.

  32. DSBS, p. 16.

  33. DSBS, p. 16.

  34. Qin Xiaoyi (ed.), p. 182.

  35. Xue Zhaguang. “Xuezhan Luodian” [“Bloody Battle for Luodian”], in BSK, p. 239.

  36. NCDN, September 4, 1937.

  37. NCDN, August 27, 1937.

  38. DSBS, p. 17.

  39. Honda Katsuichi. The Nanjing Massacre: A Japanese Journalist Confronts Japan’s National Shame. Armonk NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1999, pp. 32–36.

  40. NDS, vol. 8, p. 32.

  41. NDS, vol. 8, p. 33.

  42. NDS, vol. 8, p. 32.

  43. NDS, vol. 8, pp. 33, 36.

  44. NDS, vol. 61, p. 503.

  45. Honda, p. 30.

  46. Among the Japanese vessels arriving in Shanghai in late August was the seaplane tender Kamoi, built in New Jersey by New York Shipbuilding in 1922. Riben haijun zai Zhongguo zuozhan, pp. 238–2
39.

  47. NDS, vol. 8, pp. 36, 38; Guo Rugui et al., p. 542.

  48. Later in the war, a Russian advisor, Aleksandr Kalyagin, witnessed how personal connections could directly decide life and death. After an air raid on the Chinese headquarters, a general was being dug out of the rubble when a senior guard battalion officer came up and realized that he was from a different faction. “He is not one of ours. Bury him!” the officer said. The Russian observer managed to save the general. See, Wilson p. 10.

  49. The following account is based on Guo Rugui. Guo Rugui huiyilu [Guo Rugui’s Memoirs]. Beijing: Zhonggongdang chubanshe, 2009, pp. 76–78.

  50. Liu Jingchi, p. 45.

  51. DSBS, p. 18.

  52. Xiong Xinmin. “Yangshupu yu Jiangwan kangzhan” [“The Resistance War in Yangshupu and Jiangwan”], in BSK, p. 181.

  53. Zhang Fakui, p. 463.

  54. Zhang Fakui, p. 464.

  55. Zhang Fakui, p. 466.

  56. Zhang Fakui, p. 464.

  57. Zhang Fakui, p. 464.

  58. Teitler et al., pp. 96–97.

  59. Snow, p. 47.

  60. Willens, p. 101.

  61. NCDN, August 23, 1937.

  62. NCDN, August 23, 1937; Bruce, pp. 19–20.

  63. Bruce, pp. 22–23. Knatchbull-Hugessen was later invalided back to Britain. He died in 1971.

  64. Bruce, p. 24.

  65. China Weekly Review, September 4, 1937, p. 7.

  66. Garver, John W. Chinese-Soviet Relations 1937–1945: The Diplomacy of Chinese Nationalism. New York NY: Oxford University Press, 1988, pp. 20–21.

  67. The remark was made in a conversation with U.S. chargé d’affaires Loy Henderson. Foreign relations of the United States, Diplomatic papers, 1937, in Five Volumes, Vol. III, The Far East. Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1954, pp. 498–499.

  68. Jiang Zhongzheng (Chiang Kai-shek). Kunmian ji [Anthology of Encouragement amid Difficulties]. Taipei: Guoshiguan, 2011, p. 569.

  69. Wang Shijie. Wang Shijie riji [Wang Shijie’s Diary]. Taipei: Zhongyang yanji-uyuan jindaishi yanjiusuo, 1992, p. 97.

  70. Garver, p. 21.

  71. Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic papers, 1937, in Five Volumes, Vol. III, The Far East, p. 827.

  72. Jiang Zhongzheng, Kunmian ji, p. 578.

  73. Sun Youli. China and the Origins of the Pacific War. New York: St Martin’s Press, 1993, p. 90.

  74. This view of Chiang’s motives for making a stand in Shanghai is not universally accepted. See, Taylor, pp. 147–148. However, it is remarkable that one year later Chiang attempted a similar strategy, when he tried to lure Japan to fight in the south of China in an apparent attempt to entangle the British in Hong Kong in the hostilities. See, Macri, Franco David. Clash of Empires in South China: The Allied Nations’ Proxy War with Japan, 193s–1941. Lawrence KS: University of Kansas Press, 2012, p. 53.

  75. Li Tsung-jen et al., The Memoirs of Li Tsung-jen, Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 1979, p. 329.

  76. Guo Rugui et al., pp. 543–544.

  77. NDS, vol. 8, p. 36.

  78. The Asama Detachment, named after its commander Asama Yoshio, consisted of two battalions of the 11th Division’s 43rd Regiment, reinforced with one company of mountain artillery. See, Shina jihen rikugun sakusen, 1, Showa jusan nen ichi gatsu made, p. 277.

  79. NDS, vol. 8, p. 37.

  80. Zhang Zhizhong, p. 81.

  81. NDS, vol. 8, p. 40; Shina jihen rikugun sakusen, 1, Showa jusan nen ichi gatsu made, pp. 277–278.

  82. NDS, vol. 8, p. 41.

  83. China Weekly Review, September 11, 1937, p. 30.

  84. NDS, vol. 8, p. 41.

  85. NDS, vol. 8, p. 42.

  86. Zhang Zhizhong, p. 81.

  87. Guo Rugui et al., p. 543.

  88. NDS, vol. 8, pp. 42, 44.

  89. The account of the battle of Baoshan is based on Li Guanru, pp. 89–91.

  90. NCDN, September 10, 1937.

  91. Guo Rugui et al., p. 544.

  92. Japanese Monograph No. 166, p. 57.

  93. DSBS, p. 20.

  94. Japanese Monograph No. 166, p. 67.

  95. The Shigeto Detachment, led by Shigeto Chiaki, consisted of five battalions and one company of mountain artillery. See, Shina jihen rikugun sakusen, I, Showa jusan nen ichi gatsu made, pp. 278–279.

  96. Shina jihen rikugun sakusen, I, Showa jusan nen ichi gatsu made, p. 279.

  97. Fang Jing, p. 187.

  98. Guo Rugui, p. 78.

  99. DSBS, p. 42. The report prepared by former advisors for the German High Command in 1939 contains an appendix with the personal recollections of an unnamed German officer, pp. 42–46. The officer, while not identified, is all but certain to be Newiger. For instance, the anonymous officer describes on p. 43 how he moved to the Chinese high command in late October, accompanied by Lieutenant Klaus von Schmeling, which exactly corresponds with Newiger’s movements at the time. Other evidence from the report showing that Newiger was a chief advisor at the Chinese high command from late October onwards is to be found on pp. 48 and 51. See also, Martin, Bernd, p. 76.

  100. DSBS, p. 43.

  101. Hsin Ta-mo, p. 24.

  102. DSBS, p. 42.

  103. DSBS, p. 42.

  104. Zhang Fakui, p. 507.

  105. DSBS, p. 42.

  106. Der Spiegel, May 11, 1970.

  107. Rigg, Bryan Mark. Hitler’s Jewish Soldiers: The Untold Story of Nazi Racial Laws and Men of Jewish Descent in the German Military. Lawrence KS: University Press of Kansas, 2004, pp. 83–84, 358–359.

  108. 108. p. 314.

  109. 109. p. 359.

  110. The account of Lu Chuanyong’s experience in the Shanghai battle is based on Yuan Ying et al., pp. 153–158.

  111. The League of Nations 18th session opened on September 13.

  112. Guo Rugui et al., pp. 544–545.

  113. Qiu Weida, “Diwushiyishi Luodian fangyuzhan” [“The 51st Division’s Defensive Battle of Luodian”], in BSK, pp. 258–259.

  114. “Vigil of Fear Told in Soldier’s Diary,” Associated Press, October 3, 1937.

  CHAPTER FIVE: “RIVERS OF BLOOD”

  1. Tiltman’s description of his visit to the frontline was published in the NCDN on September 12, 1937.

  2. Wang Shijie, p. 100.

  3. The Amaya Detachment was strengthened for this assault by the II th Division’s Asama Detachment, which had moved down the Yangtze riverbank in the preceding days and had taken the Shizilin fortress. See, Shina jihen rikugun sakusen, 1, Showa jusan nen ichi gatsu made, p. 278.

  4. DSBS, p. 19.

  5. DSBS, p. 19; Teitler et al., p. 109.

  6. Teitler et al., p. 111–112.

  7. Shi Shuo, p. 96.

  8. DSBS, pp. 19–20.

  9. Jiang Zhongzheng. Kunmian ji, p. 574.

  10. Hsu and Chang, pp. 206–207.

  11. Zhang Zhizhong, p. 83; DSBS, p. 20.

  12. NCDN, September 14, 1937.

  13. Teitler et al., p. 132.

  14. DSBS, p. 20.

  15. NDS, vol. 8, p. 56

  16. NDS, vol. 8, p. 55.

  17. NDS, vol. 8, p. 56–57.

  18. The casualty numbers are according to Nishimura Toshio, a Japanese officer sent by Tokyo to inspect the Shanghai front. See, Dai Feng et al. 1937 Zhongri Songhu zhanyi [The 1937 Sino-Japanese Songhu Battle]. Taipei: Zhimingtang, 2011, pp. 70–71. Matsui had somewhat lower figures for casualties at the time. See, NDS, vol. 8, p. 50.

  19. Dai Feng, pp. 70–71; Morley, p. 267.

  20. Morley, p. 275.

  21. Dai Feng, p. 72.

  22. Bix, p. 325; Shina jihen rikugun sakusen, 1, Showa jusan nen ichi gatsu made, pp. 278–279.

  23. Bix, p. 325.

  24. Bix, p. 325.

  25. Dai Feng, p. 71.

  26. Yuan Ying et al., vol. 2, pp. 46–47.

  27. Yuan Ying et al., vol. 2, pp. 47–48. Later in the campaign, Wu’s unit was withdrawn to the south and took part in further battl
es to defend Shanghai. He was seriously injured in both legs during the retreat from the city in November.

  28. DSBS, pp. 22–23.

  29. DSBS, p. 23, NCDN, September 16, 1937.

  30. DSBS, p. 23.

  31. Shina jihen rikugun sakusen, 1, Showa jusan nen ichi gatsu made, p. 279.

  32. NCDN, September 18, 1937.

  33. NCDN, September 12, 1937.

  34. Yamamoto, p. 42.

  35. “Admiration for Chinese Troops,” Reuters, September 14, 1937.

  36. Farmer, p. 88.

  37. Snow, p. 51.

  38. Snow, p. 50.

  39. Carlson, Evan F. Evan F. Carlson on China at war, 1937–1941. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2003, pp. 17–18.

  40. Alcott, p. 159.

  41. China Weekly Review, September 18, 1937, p. 35.

  42. Abegg, Lily. Chinas Erneuerung: Der Raum als Waffe. Frankfurt a. M: Societats-Verlag, 1940, pp. 160–161.

  43. 43. Abegg p. 161.

  44. Bruce, p. 14.

  45. China Weekly Review, September 18, 1937, p. 35.

  46. The account of the September 18 raid is based on Gong Yeti, pp. 175–179.

  47. NCDN, September 19, 1937.

  48. NCDN, September 19, 1937.

  49. Japanese Monograph No. 166, p. 81.

  50. Japanese Monograph No. 166, pp. 83–87.

  51. Japanese Monograph No. 166, pp. 88–90.

  52. Gong Yeti, pp. 179–183.

  53. Gong Yeti, p. 183.

  54. Shen Zui, pp. 69–70.

  55. In fact, Dai Li was a complex figure and meant different things to different people. See, Wakeman, pp. 1–11.

  56. Shen Zui, p. 70. China’s only efficient espionage network in Shanghai had ceased to exist. For the last two months of the campaign, the Chinese were deprived of systematic intelligence about the situation in the enemy camp.

  57. Jiang Zhongzheng, Kunmian ji, p. 577.

  58. Zhongguo dier lishi dang’an guan, vol. 1, p. 387.

  59. Dai Feng, p. 76.

  60. Dai Feng, pp. 76–77. See also, Benton, Gregor, New Fourth Army: Communist Resistance along the Yangtze and the Huai 1938–1941. Berkeley CA: University of California Press, 1999, p. 116.

  61. Jiang Zhongzheng, Kunmian ji, p. 575.

  62. DSBS, p. 24.

  63. Li Junshan, pp. 78–79.

  64. Guo Rugui et al., p. 558.

  65. Shi Shuo, p. 96.

  66. Zhang Suwo, p. 89.

  67. NCDN, September 29, 1937.

  68. NCDN, September 21, 1937.

  69. NCDN, September 16, 1937.