Battle of Nanjing

Battle of Nanjing. The engagement was a major conflict of the Second Sino-Japanese War that culminated in the capture of Nanjing, then the capital of the Republic of China, by the Imperial Japanese Army. Following the fall of the city on December 13, 1937, the occupying forces perpetrated a period of mass atrocities against surrendered soldiers and civilians, known as the Nanjing Massacre. The battle and its brutal aftermath marked a pivotal and horrific chapter in the Pacific War, profoundly shaping Sino-Japanese relations and international perceptions of Japanese militarism.

Background

The battle followed the Battle of Shanghai, a grueling three-month campaign where Chinese forces under Chiang Kai-shek attempted to defend the strategic port city. After the fall of Shanghai in November 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army launched a rapid pursuit towards Nanjing, aiming to decimate the National Revolutionary Army and force the Chinese government into surrender. The Chinese leadership, having suffered massive losses at Shanghai, was divided on whether to defend the capital or retreat further inland. The decision to defend Nanjing was influenced by political symbolism, as the city housed the Mausoleum of Sun Yat-sen and was the seat of the Kuomintang government, and by a desire to demonstrate resolve to international observers like the League of Nations.

Prelude and opposing forces

The Japanese Central China Area Army, commanded by General Iwane Matsui and later under the operational control of Prince Yasuhiko Asaka, comprised seasoned veterans from the Shanghai Expeditionary Army and the 10th Army under General Heisuke Yanagawa. Totaling approximately 200,000 troops, they advanced along multiple routes, including from Suzhou and via the Yangtze River. The Chinese defense was entrusted to General Tang Shengzhi, who was appointed commander of the Nanking Garrison Force. His forces, nominally around 100,000, were a depleted and disorganized mix of units shattered from Shanghai, including remnants of the 88th Division, alongside untrained reinforcements. Preparations included the construction of the Nanjing Fortress and a symbolic "scorched earth" order, but defenses were largely inadequate.

Battle and Japanese advance

The outer defensive lines, such as those at Chiang-Wan and I-chang, quickly collapsed under heavy artillery and aerial bombardment beginning December 1. Japanese units, including the 6th Division and the 16th Division, breached the Qinhuai River line and the main city walls by December 9. Fierce but disorganized fighting occurred at key points like the Zhonghua Gate and Yijiang Gate. Despite a brief truce proposed by John Rabe and other members of the International Committee for the Nanjing Safety Zone, the Japanese high command demanded unconditional surrender. With defenses failing, General Tang Shengzhi ordered a general retreat on December 12, which devolved into chaos at the Xiaguan riverfront, where thousands of Chinese soldiers were trapped.

Massacre and aftermath

Upon entering the city on December 13, Japanese troops began a systematic campaign of atrocities that constituted the Nanjing Massacre. Over the ensuing six weeks, soldiers engaged in widespread mass murder, rape, looting, and arson. Key incidents included the organized execution of prisoners of war at Mufushan and along the Yangtze River. The International Military Tribunal for the Far East and the Nanjing War Crimes Tribunal later documented these crimes. Figures like John Rabe and Minnie Vautrin risked their lives to protect civilians within the Nanjing Safety Zone. The fall of the city forced the Chinese government to relocate its capital to Chongqing, continuing resistance under the Second United Front.

Historical significance and legacy

The event stands as one of the most infamous episodes of World War II, symbolizing the extreme brutality of the conflict in Asia. It severely damaged Japan's international reputation, galvanizing Western opinion and contributing to economic sanctions like the American embargo. Within China, it became a central pillar of national memory and patriotism, with the Memorial Hall of the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre serving as a major site of remembrance. Historical interpretation remains a deeply contentious issue in Sino-Japanese relations, with debates over casualty figures and the extent of official responsibility involving figures like Iwane Matsui and Prince Yasuhiko Asaka. The battle and massacre are extensively studied in works such as *The Rape of Nanking* and continue to influence geopolitical discourse in East Asia.

Category:Battles of the Second Sino-Japanese War Category:1937 in China Category:History of Nanjing