The July 7 Incident

[Randy W]

Interesting that this article is more about Japan and their attitudes about World War II than it is about the incident itself. Notice also that the incident was between the Japanese Army and the Republic of China (Kuomintang). It occurred on July 7-8, 1937.

 

War anniversary time to reflect on past

Today marks the 77th anniversary of the July 7 incident, the prelude to the struggle of all the Chinese people against Japanese aggression. China has talked a lot about this incident, while Japan regularly commemorates the dates on which two atomic bombs were dropped on its soil. In fact, the July 7 incident was a turning point in Japan's destiny. From that moment on, as Japan's greed expanded, so did the wars of invasion it waged in China. It was restrained by big powers like the US and it finally resorted to an air strike on Pearl Harbor to declare war on the US.

 

 

 

from Wikipedia

 

Marco Polo Bridge Incident

 

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident, also known as the Lugouqiao (Lugou Bridge) Incident (盧溝橋事變) or the July 7th Incident (七七事變), was a battle between the Republic of China's National Revolutionary Army and the Imperial Japanese Army, often used as the marker for the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945).

 

The battle is known by different names.

 

In the West - The Marco Polo Bridge Incident, Battle of Lugou Bridge

In China - Incident of July 7 (׃/pinyin: Qq Shìbiàn), Lugou Bridge Incident (RϘ/¬Lúguqiáo Shìbiàn), July 7 Lugou Bridge Incident (RϘ/¬Qq Lúguqiáo Shìbiàn)

In Japan - Rok Bridge Incident (RϘ¼ Rokky Jiken)

 

. . .

 

The heightened tensions of the Marco Polo bridge incident led directly into full-scale war with the Battle of Beiping–Tianjin at the end of July and the Battle of Shanghai in August.

There are some disputes among historians over the incident. Some historians believe the incident was an unintentional accident. Some believe that the incident may have been fabricated by the Japanese Army to provide a pretext for the invasion of China—a thesis supported by the expansionist colonial ambitions of Japan at the time, reflecting a sentiment felt by many Japanese at the time that "Asia should be ruled by Asians," replacing European colonial rulers with Japanese rulers throughout Asia.

One far-right Japanese historian has alleged 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 (Guomingdang).

 

Edited July 7, 2014 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Thomas Promise]

China and Japan where fighting pitched battles in Manchuria that started in 1931. Historians say that the Marco Polo incident is when WW 2 started. The horrific casualties the Chinese suffered is upward of 22 million dead from all cause during this war. Contrast Russia suffered 20 million dead fighting the Nazis. The battle for Shanghai was China's Stalingrad. In 3 months China suffered 200,000 killed in comparison during the 3 yrs 8 months the US was at war we lost a little over 400,000 killed from all causes. The true death count will never be known.

[Greg.D.]

At least the west and China agree about the dangers of contemporary nationalistic sentiment by the ruling government in Japan ...

 

This part is weird, where the GlobalTimes claims China is peaceful but powerful, but will lose its strength if internal unity (ha ha: differing opinions) is lost, etc etc. Wait: using the specter of an foreign bogeyman to stir up national pride, reinforce party legitimacy, quench internal debate ... this is familiar!

 

After 77 years, China has found its turning point and reemerged as a powerful country in East Asia. It has made up for falling behind during the period of global post-war modernization.

China has been in an ever-peaceful and prosperous state. Meanwhile, it bears high strategic pressure in the face of its rejuvenation. International competition is awaiting us, and internal unity is a source of national strength. China has come a long way, while strategically, we cannot afford to sit idle.

However, nowadays many Chinese young people are in a confused state. This makes us realize that modernization and economic prosperity do not mean we have reached the same level of spiritual development.

In the future, we need to enhance our capabilities to ensure there will be no threat of war or chaos. For a country with 1.3 billion people, this is a challenge.

[danb]

Hello. Just noticed that that incident happened on 7-7 -1937 , 77 years ago. Double 7's. I think the Marco Polo bridge marks the start of the ancient silk route to the west. I read about that incident in 1937 a few years ago. I guess it depends on who is telling the story on what actually happen that night. I believe that one story goes something like this. A Japanese officer ( low ranking, maybe a Lieutenant or a Captain) staged the incident. Supposing some railroad lines or equipment were initially blown up by some Chinese soldiers. I will have to try to dig up my Chinese history book and see what it says. I tried to dig up some info on the internet. That time in Chinese history is very confusing for me. There were many foreign countries that had a military presence in China at the time. The Japanese, British, the French, the US and other countries. On the Chinese side there was the Communists, the Kuomintang and some powerful warlords. There were a lot of players and I guess most want to tell their version of the incident. Way too many people died during WWII. Hopefully all parties focus on this fact and that they try to find ways of ensuring that new wars and conflicts don't start over a bridge, boat, a border or some island. Danb

[Randy W]

China and Japan where fighting pitched battles in Manchuria that started in 1931. Historians say that the Marco Polo incident is when WW 2 started. The horrific casualties the Chinese suffered is upward of 22 million dead from all cause during this war. Contrast Russia suffered 20 million dead fighting the Nazis. The battle for Shanghai was China's Stalingrad. In 3 months China suffered 200,000 killed in comparison during the 3 yrs 8 months the US was at war we lost a little over 400,000 killed from all causes. The true death count will never be known.

 

 

Looks like President Xi got the message

 

China, Fanning Patriotism, Adds 6 Years to War with Japan in History Books

 

In a move aimed at stirring up nationalism and support for the ruling Communist Party, President Xi Jinping’s government has ordered educators to rewrite textbooks to describe the conflict as the “14-Year War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression,” lasting from 1931 to 1945, the authorities said in a statement on Wednesday.

Under the decision, the Second Sino-Japanese War will be described as having started in the fall of 1931, when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Manchuria. Previously, the war’s beginning had been traced to the Marco Polo Bridge incident, a skirmish in 1937 between Japanese forces and Chinese troops along a rail line southwest of Beijing that represented the beginning of full-scale conflict.

The Chinese Ministry of Education said the decision to add six years to the war sought to promote patriotic education and to highlight the Communist Party’s “core role” in resisting Japanese fascism in the prelude to World War II. It also seemed intended to rally support for the party among young people as Mr. Xi vigorously promotes Communist history and thought in schools.

 

 

[Randy W]

on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/scmp/videos/10155436449604820/

 South China Morning Post
1 hr ·

Quote

80 years ago today: How the Marco Polo Bridge Incident marked the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Full story: http://sc.mp/ZuDM1x

 

 

Edited July 3, 2022 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

(the 2nd one is the same image as the first, with a slower update rate)

Edited July 13, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Allon]

I think the start of the Sino-Japanese war is still a debate. But it is clear Manchuria was taken over in 1931 by a staged incident involving the Mukden railroad. (Shenyang was then called Mukden.) The Japanese threw the Russians out father north who had occupied most of Manchuria for a while. You can see the Russian influence in Harbin.

 

Millions were killed not only in the war (fought mostly by the Kuomintang, which caused a weakening of forces Mao eventually took advantage of.) .

 

Again notice no attention to Nanking (or Nanjing now). It was also protected by KMT troops and Mao refused to come to their aid. (Read my friend Iris Chang's book, The Rape of Nanking.) Iris brought out what was only spoken of in Chinese circles. Estimates of dead are way over 300,000, and those deaths were brutal and barbaric. It set the stage for the eventual killing of millions when the Japanese moved farther east. These battles are the main reason the Chinese do not like the Japanese. There is still a demand that Japan apologize publicly and pay reparations to the victims of Nanking, as they have Korea and the Philippines.

And the survivors of both Nanking and Shenyang are mostly "comfort" girls, taken under custody to service the Japanese Imperial Army troops. (If you get to Hoover Institute at Stanford, and can access Iris' papers, you will see interviews that are very difficult to watch and read. It is no wonder Iris committed suicide later.)

 

Yet, Japan still celebrates Nanking and other major battles in this war in shrines, whose dead are many soldiers hanged by the War Tribunal, some of whom were actual cannibals who ate the livers of some of our pilots captured right where George H.W. Bush was shot down.

 

english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/03/02/0200000000AEN20170302008500315.html

http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/genocide/nanking.htm

http://www.newsweek.com/exposing-rape-nanking-170890

[Randy W]

A short summary of World War II, or the War Against Japanese Aggression or the Second Sino-Japanese War , as it was known in China, from Pathe and the SCMP - on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scmp/videos/2196701010615255/

China's role in the second world war

South China Morning Post

Quote

Today marks 73 years since the end of a conflict which left 20 million Chinese dead and 80 million more as refugees.

 

Edited July 13, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Randy W]

 . . . and Japan's surrender to "Beiping" Oct. 10, 1945

民国34年10月10日，秋高气爽，艳阳高照。北平市民闻知受降的消息后，从四面八方涌来，有大约20万民众聚集在太和殿前广场上。天安门、端门、午门、东西华门、南北池子、南北长街，到处都聚满了人群。

国民党第92军在军长侯镜如的率领下，列队于太和殿的广场上。苏联、美国、英国、法国、荷兰等盟国代表也参加了受降仪式。上午10时10分整，煤山（景山）上汽笛长鸣，太和殿前受降仪式开始。司仪隋永礼上校高呼：“引导日本投降代表入场！”命令传出后，全场立时肃静。日本投降代表、平津地区日本官兵善后联络部长根本博，偕同参谋长高桥坦及该部高级军官21人，由太和门外下车，垂头丧气，步行入场，在礼台前排列一行，向主官敬礼后，退后恭立待命。此时，台下民众欢呼雀跃，情绪亢奋，现场气氛十分热烈。军乐队凯歌高奏，礼炮齐鸣，随后全体肃立，为在抗日战争中牺牲的将士默哀。日本投降代表个个低头躬身,向中国人民谢罪。

司仪宣布投降代表签字，根本博等行至受降台前,肃目立正,向孙连仲将军行礼后退至左侧恭立。工作人员将3份投降书分别置于台上,根本博签字盖章后呈交孙连仲。孙连仲身材高大，为抗日名将，曾因血战台儿庄而驰名海内外。孙连仲健步走到签降台前，在“受降主官”栏庄重地签字盖章。根本博等21名投降代表在万众怒目之下，双手捧著自己身上佩过的战刀，向孙连仲鞠躬示礼，恭恭敬敬地将沾满中国人民鲜血的战刀放在了受降桌上，之后退出会场。

这时，国歌回响在天地之间，国旗飘扬在蓝蓝的天空，全体军民齐向国旗致敬。遭受日军八年蹂躏的北平市民终于扬眉吐气了，他们再也控制不住自己的情绪，振臂高呼：“中国万岁！”“胜利万岁！”欢声雷动，响彻云霄。典礼仅有短短的25分钟，20万北平市民见证了这一重大的历史时刻。北平受降是中国战区受降规模最大的一次。

——記錄民國 发布

On October 10th, Republic of China, the autumn was clear and the sun was shining brightly. After the citizens of Peking heard the news of the surrender, they came from all directions. About 200,000 people gathered in the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Tiananmen Square, Duanmen, Meridian Gate, East-West Huamen, North-South Chizi, and North-South Long Street were crowded with people everywhere.

The 92nd Army of the Kuomintang, led by commander Hou Jingru, lined up on the square of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Representatives of the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands also participated in the surrender ceremony. At 10:10 in the morning, Meishan (Jingshan) SAIC whistle sounded, and the surrender ceremony in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony began. The emcee, Colonel Sui Yongli, shouted: "Guide the Japanese surrender representatives into the arena!" After the order came out, the audience was silent at once. The representative of the Japanese surrender, Hiroshi Nemoto, the head of liaison for the aftermath of the Japanese officers and soldiers in the Hiratsu area, along with the Chief of Staff Takahashi Tan and 21 senior officers of the Ministry, got off from the Taihe Gate, bowed down, and walked in. They lined up in front of the ceremony stand. After the chief officer salutes, he stands back respectfully and stands by. At this time, the audience cheered and excited, and the atmosphere was very warm. The military band played the triumphant song, and the salute fired in unison, and then all stood in silence to pay tribute to the soldiers who died in the War of Resistance Against Japan. The representatives of Japan's surrender bowed their heads to apologize to the Chinese people.

The master of ceremonies announced the signature of the surrender representative, and the director and others walked to the surrendered stage, stood at attention, saluted General Sun Lianzhong and retreated to the left side to stand respectfully. The staff put the three surrender letters on the stage, signed and sealed by Gen Bo and submitted them to Sun Lianzhong. Sun Lianzhong was tall and a famous anti-Japanese general. He was famous at home and abroad for his bloody battle in Taierzhuang. Sun Lianzhong walked to the signing stage and solemnly signed and sealed in the column of "Subjected Chief Officer". Under the anger of the crowd, 21 representatives of surrender, such as Nemoto, held the swords they had worn on their bodies in both hands, bowed to Sun Lianzhong, respectfully placed the swords stained with the blood of the Chinese people on the surrender table, and then withdrew. Meeting place.

At this time, the national anthem echoed between the heavens and the earth, the national flag was flying in the blue sky, and all the soldiers and civilians paid tribute to the national flag. The citizens of Peking, who had been ravaged by the Japanese army for eight years, were finally exasperated. They could no longer control their emotions and shouted: "Long live China!" "Long live victory!" The cheers were thunderous and resounded across the sky. The ceremony lasted only 25 minutes, and 200,000 citizens of Peking witnessed this important historical moment. The surrender of Peking was the largest in the Chinese theater.

——Promulgated by the Republic of China

Edited July 13, 2021 by Randy W (see edit history)