January 28 incident

"Shanghai Incident" redirects here. For the 1937 conflict known as Second Shanghai incident, see Battle of Shanghai.
January 28 incident
Part of the interwar period

The Chinese 19th Route Army in a defensive position
Date (1932-01-28) (1932-03-03)January 28 – March 3, 1932
(1 month and 4 days)
Location
In and around Shanghai, China
Result Ceasefire;
Shanghai demilitarized
Belligerents
 China  Japan
Commanders and leaders

19th Route Army:

5th Army:

Commander:

Chief of staff:

Units involved
Republic of China (1912–1949) 19th Route Army
Republic of China (1912–1949) 5th Army		 Empire of Japan Shanghai Expeditionary Army
 Imperial Japanese Navy
Strength
50,000 30,000
80 ships
300 aeroplanes
Casualties and losses
4,000 KIA[1]
10,000 civilians killed[1]

Western Estimate:
3,000 KIA[2][3]

Japanese Claim:
738 killed
2257 wounded[4]

The January 28 incident or Shanghai incident (January 28 – March 3, 1932) was a conflict between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. It took place in the Shanghai International Settlement which was under international control. Japanese army officers, defying higher authorities, had provoked anti-Japanese demonstrations in the International Settlement following the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. [citation needed] On January 18th, five Japanese Buddhists in Shanghai belonging to the Nichiren sect allegedly shouted anti-Chinese, pro-Japanese nationalist slogans in Shanghai.[5] In response, a Chinese mob formed killing one monk and injuring two.[5] In response, the Japanese in Shanghai rioted and burned down a factory, killing two Chinese.[5] Heavy fighting broke out, and China appealed to the League of Nations. A truce was finally reached on May 5, calling for Japanese military withdrawal, and an end to Chinese boycotts of Japanese products. It is seen as the first example of a modern war waged in a large city between two heavily equipped armies and as a preview of what was to come during the Second World War.[6]

The episode helped undermine civilian rule in Tokyo; Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi was assassinated on May 15, 1932.[7]

  1. ^ a b Robinson 2022, p. 34.
  2. ^ Grescoe, Taras (2016). Shanghai Grand. Pan Macmillan. p. 923/8920. ISBN 9781447253433.
  3. ^ Robinson, Stephen (2022). Eight Hundred Heroes. Exisle Publishing. p. 38. ISBN 978-1922539205.
  4. ^ "Showa 6.7 Nen Jihen Kaigun Senshi". Japan Center for Asian Historical Records. Gunreibu. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "The Fall Of Shanghai: Prelude To The Rape Of Nanking & WWII". Warfare History Network. August 17, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  6. ^ Henriot, Christian (2012). "Beyond Glory: Civilians, Combatants, and Society During the Battle of Shanghai". War & Society. 31 (2): 106–135. doi:10.1179/0729247312Z.0000000006. ISSN 0729-2473.
  7. ^ Jordan 2001, p. 239.