When did the Battle of Shanghai start and end?
The Battle of Shanghai lasted from the 13th of August to the 26th of November, 1937, spanning just over three months of continuous fighting on land, at sea, and in the air.
Questions about Battle of Shanghai
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How many troops fought in the Battle of Shanghai?
The Battle of Shanghai eventually involved around one million troops from both sides. Japan had deployed more than 200,000 troops in the Shanghai region by the 1st of October 1937, while China concentrated some 300,000 soldiers around the town of Luodian alone at one point.
Why is the Battle of Shanghai considered historically significant?
Historian Peter Harmsen stated the battle "presaged urban combat as it was to be waged not just during the Second World War, but throughout the remainder of the twentieth century" and that it "signalled the totality of modern urban warfare". It was the single largest urban battle prior to the Battle of Stalingrad, which occurred almost five years later, and some historians regard it as the first battle of World War II.
What was Black Saturday in the Battle of Shanghai?
Black Saturday refers to the 14th of August 1937, when bombs from Republic of China Air Force aircraft intended for the Japanese flagship Izumo fell instead on the Shanghai International Settlement, killing between 700 and 950 civilians outright and resulting in a total of around 3,000 casualties. Most deaths occurred at the Great World entertainment centre, where refugees had gathered.
Did Japan use chemical weapons in the Battle of Shanghai?
Yes. Both sides accused each other of using chemical weapons during the battle, and Japanese forces were confirmed to have deployed poison gas at least thirteen times during the campaign.
What was the Battle of the Sihang Warehouse during the Battle of Shanghai?
After China ordered a general withdrawal from downtown Shanghai on the night of the 26th of October 1937, Whampoa Colonel Xie Jinyuan led 411 men from the 1st Battalion of the 524th Regiment in a last stand inside the five-story Sihang Warehouse on the northern bank of the Suzhou Creek. The building was positioned directly across the water from the International Settlement, making the defense visible to foreign observers and the international press.