Actions in Inner Mongolia (1933–1936)
In February 1933, the Kwantung Army left a small detachment to watch the eastern Rehe border while moving its main forces south. This shift occurred after Japan secured Manchuria in 1931 and created the puppet state of Manchukuo. The Tanggu Truce signed on the 31st of May 1933 blocked further Japanese advance toward southern China. Consequently, Imperial Japanese Army planners turned their attention westward toward Inner Mongolia. Their goal was establishing a northern China buffer state between Manchukuo and the rest of China. To avoid violating the truce, Tokyo used proxy armies instead of direct regular troops. These proxies included the Inner Mongolian Army, the Manchukuo Imperial Army, and the Grand Han Righteous Army. Chinese government forces remained overtly hostile to these resistance movements until fighting erupted in Suiyuan during 1936.
General Feng Yuxiang and his former subordinate Ji Hongchang recruited many units of former Guominjun soldiers to resist Japanese encroachment. Fang Zhenwu raised volunteers from across China to join this irregular force known as the Anti-Japanese Allied Army. Local militias driven out of Rehe by Japanese forces joined alongside Mongol army elements under Demchugdongrub. Even Liu Guitang, previously a Japanese collaborator, switched sides to join the coalition. Wang Ying, a bandit leader from Suiyuan, also added his men to the growing alliance. On the 26th of May 1933, commanding officers formally proclaimed the Chahar People's Anti-Japanese Army. Feng Yuxiang became commander-in-chief while Fang Zhenwu took vice-commander duties. Ji Hongcommand led front-line operations with an estimated strength between 60,000 and 120,000 men according to various sources. Despite their numbers, most volunteers lacked guns or modern weapons needed for effective combat against trained Japanese units.
By June 1933, Japanese airplanes bombed Dushikou while Baochang fell to enemy forces on June 4. Kangbao surrendered to Japanese troops on June 5 after several hours of fighting. Feng Yuxiang ordered a three-column counteroffensive on June 21 to regain lost territory. The vanguard approached Kangbao where Manchukuo forces under General Cui Xingwu fled, allowing Chinese reoccupation. In late June, Ji Hongchang pushed northeast against Dolonnur with two corps. The Northern corps recaptured Baochang from demoralized Manchukuo troops while Fang Zhenwu advanced on Guyuan held by Liu Guitang. Liu changed sides again and surrendered Guyuan without battle. On July 8 before dawn, Ji launched an assault capturing outer defense lines before being driven back with heavy casualties. Covert operatives infiltrated the city to gather intelligence for a second attack that successfully re-captured Dolonnur on July 12. This operation effectively drove Japanese-Manchukuo armies out of Chahar province temporarily.
Chiang Kai-shek believed communists dominated the Anti-Japanese Allied Army and viewed it as a threat to his authority. The Kuomintang military committee issued orders cutting passenger train service to Kalgan in early July. An armored train moved close to Kalgan while Yan Xishan stationed troops on the Shanxi border including Feng Qinzai's 42nd Division. Chinese 35th Army under Fu Zuoyi and 3rd Army under Pang Bingxun blocked supply routes. Chiang used spies to create rumors and sow dissension among alliance leaders. Generals Gang Bao, Feng Zhanhai, Li Zhongyi, and Tan Zixin eventually defected to Chiang's side. Deng Wen was assassinated during this period of internal sabotage. Japan seized opportunities provided by disunity to invade Chahar again in August. On August 8, Japanese bombers attacked Guyuan and Dolonnur repeatedly. Food, clothing, ammunition, and money became critically short due to Chiang's blockade. Feng Yuxiang announced official disbandment of the army on August 5. He resigned his post on August 18 and left Chahar immediately after which Dolonnur fell back into Japanese hands.
During September 1933, Mongolian princes from Chahar and Suiyuan provinces gathered at Bathahalak north of Kweihwa. Prince Demchugdongrub had been trying for months to found a Pan-Mongolian Self-rule Movement. Despite traditional suspicions, these princes agreed to draw up a Confederation of Inner Mongolian States in mid-October. They sent word to Nanking threatening to seek assistance from Japan unless autonomy was formally acknowledged. Chiang Kai-shek permitted establishment of the Mongol Local Autonomy Political Affairs Committee but clashes with Suiyuan provincial forces followed over the next year. General Jiro Minami commander of the Kwantung Army gave support to the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Government. In April 1935 Major Ryukichi Tanaka interviewed Prince Demchugdongrub but no agreement could be reached then. The North Chahar Incident and resulting Chin-Doihara Agreement substantially affected events in June 1935. This agreement forced withdrawal of all Chinese 29th Army units from north of Changpei amounting to near total evacuation. Public order became entrusted to a Peace Preservation Corps armed only with light weapons.
Japanese secret agents operated radio stations disguised as Buddhist priests before capturing northern Chahar. Following promotion of Seishiro Itagaki to Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army, plans for invading Suiyuan moved forward rapidly. On the 12th of May 1936, representatives formed the Mongol Military Government after meeting at West Wuchumuhsin. A mutual assistance agreement with Manchukuo concluded in July 1936 while Japan promised military and economic aid. Prince Demchugdongrub enlarged his army from three cavalry divisions to nine divisions using Japanese advisors. Poorly trained levies and ex-bandits joined forces creating an irregular unit of around 10,000 men with low morale. The Grand Han Righteous Army under Wang Ying attached itself to the new Inner Mongolian Army. The Mengjiang Air Force received 28 combat aircraft based in Changpei alongside artillery pieces and armored cars. Thirty tanks or tankettes reportedly arrived crewed entirely by Japanese personnel. General Fu Zuoyi prepared defenses by seeking reinforcements from Shanxi governor Yan Xishan and Chiang Kai-shek who had moved Central Army units into Shaanxi province.
The invasion of Suiyuan began on the 14th of November 1936 when coalition forces attacked the Chinese garrison at Hongort. Several days of fighting failed to capture the town before a Chinese counterattack surprised invaders on November 17 leading to disorganized retreat. General Fu Zuoyi made a flanking movement west of Mongolian headquarters at Balingmiao capturing it and routing Mongolian forces. Wang Ying's Grand Han Righteous Army launched a counterattack near Pai-ling-miao which failed dismally on December 19. Most attackers were either taken prisoner or annihilated during this decisive engagement. Small scale combat continued until open hostilities following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident the next year. Prince Demchugdongrub was forced to rebuild his army after defeat with Japanese help reaching 20,000 men in eight cavalry divisions by July 1937. These forces later participated in Operation Chahar and Battle of Taiyuan where Japanese regular and allied Inner Mongol forces finally captured eastern Suiyuan province. The defeat encouraged many Chinese to push for more active resistance against Japanese aggression throughout northern China.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
What were the actions in Inner Mongolia 1933 to 1936?
The actions in Inner Mongolia from 1933 to 1936 involved military operations by Japan and proxy forces against Chinese resistance groups. These operations included the establishment of puppet states, the formation of the Anti-Japanese Allied Army, and subsequent invasions of Chahar and Suiyuan provinces.
Who led the Anti-Japanese Allied Army during the actions in Inner Mongolia 1933 to 1936?
Feng Yuxiang served as commander-in-chief while Fang Zhenwu held vice-commander duties for the Anti-Japanese Allied Army. Ji Hongchang led front-line operations with an estimated strength between 60,000 and 120,000 men according to various sources.
When did the Tanggu Truce end Japanese advance toward southern China?
The Tanggu Truce was signed on the 31st of May 1933 and blocked further Japanese advance toward southern China. This agreement forced Imperial Japanese Army planners to turn their attention westward toward Inner Mongolia instead.
How many divisions did Prince Demchugdongrub enlarge his army to after the defeat in Suiyuan?
Prince Demchugdongrub enlarged his army from three cavalry divisions to nine divisions using Japanese advisors following the initial defeats. By July 1937 these forces reached 20,000 men organized into eight cavalry divisions.
Why did Chiang Kai-shek block supply routes to the Anti-Japanese Allied Army?
Chiang Kai-shek believed communists dominated the Anti-Japanese Allied Army and viewed it as a threat to his authority. The Kuomintang military committee issued orders cutting passenger train service to Kalgan in early July to enforce this blockade.