Battle of Rehe
The Empire of Japan launched Operation Nekka to secure its southern frontier with China. This campaign began in early January 1933 when the Kwantung Army attacked Shanhaiguan Pass at the Great Wall. The province of Rehe sat on the northern side of that wall and became the next target. Japanese officials declared the territory historically part of Manchuria to justify their advance. They initially hoped to capture Rehe through the defection of General Tang Yulin to the Manchukuo cause. When that diplomatic effort failed, military force replaced negotiation. The chief of staff requested Emperor Hirohito's sanction for this strategic operation against Chinese forces. The Emperor approved the plan but stated explicitly that the army was not to go beyond China's Great Wall. This boundary restriction defined the scope of the entire invasion.
Japanese units assigned to the operation included the 6th Division and 8th Division of infantry. These formations were supported by the 14th and 33rd Mixed Brigades. A 4th Cavalry Brigade moved alongside Type 92 Heavy Armored Cars during the push. The 1st Special Tank Company brought Type 89 Tanks into the field. Chinese armies gathered to defend Rehe numbered between 100,000 and 150,000 troops total. Forty thousand men came from the Northeastern army under Wan Fulin. Thirty thousand to fifty thousand soldiers served under Tang Yulin. Another thirty thousand former Guominjun troops fought under Sun Dianying and Song Zheyuan. Irregular forces included village militias and Manchurian bandits in exile. Five volunteer brigades led by Zhu Qinglan joined the defense effort.
On the 23rd of February 1933, the offensive officially launched against the defenders. Chaoyang and Kailu fell to Japanese forces on February 25. The 4th Cavalry Brigade encountered resistance from Sun Dianying's forces on March 2. After days of fighting, they took over Chifeng that same day. Sun Dianying mounted a counterattack against the Japanese 6th Division on March 2 as well. At one point his troops penetrated near the Japanese headquarters before being pushed back. On March 4, Japanese cavalry and the 1st Special Tank Company with Type 89 Tanks captured Chengde. This city was the capital of Rehe province. The battle concluded shortly after this final capture of the administrative center.
Zhang Xueliang issued warrants for the arrest of volunteers who hindered the defense instead of aiding it. These irregular forces included five volunteer brigades under Zhu Qinglan alongside village militias. Manchurian bandits in exile also joined the chaotic defensive line. The presence of these unreliable groups contributed significantly to the collapse of Chinese positions. Factional infighting among warlord coalitions prevented unified command during critical moments. Tang Yulin had initially been targeted for defection but failed to switch sides when expected. Wan Fulin commanded forty thousand men yet could not coordinate effectively with other units. Sun Dianying launched a counterattack that nearly reached enemy headquarters but lacked follow-up support. Song Zheyuan led former Guominjun troops who struggled to hold their assigned sectors.
Time magazine published an issue on the 23rd of January 1933 titled On Bended Knee about the early stages. A the 27th of February 1933 edition featured the headline Bumps & Blood covering the fighting. the 6th of March 1933 brought two articles: War of Jehol and Two-Gun Tang discussing the conflict. Another the 13th of March 1933 piece called Glorious 16th highlighted specific military actions. the 11th of December 1933 marked Generalissimo's Last Straw as the political fallout unfolded. These reports documented the global diplomatic response to the invasion in real time. International observers watched closely as Japan expanded its control over Inner Mongolia. The coverage reflected growing concern over Japanese aggression beyond Manchukuo's borders.
Rehe was subsequently annexed to Manchukuo following the fall of Chengde. Zhang Xueliang was forced by the Kuomintang government to relinquish his posts for medical reasons. Chinese forces fell back in disarray to the Great Wall after losing the province. The Japanese Army seized a number of strategic points during subsequent battles and skirmishes along that barrier. They then agreed to a ceasefire and negotiated settlement known as the Tanggu Truce. This agreement established a demilitarized zone between the Great Wall and Beijing. The arrangement proved only temporary before full-scale combat erupted in 1937. The Second Sino-Japanese War began in earnest four years later with renewed intensity.
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Common questions
What was the purpose of Operation Nekka in 1933?
The Empire of Japan launched Operation Nekka to secure its southern frontier with China. This campaign began in early January 1933 when the Kwantung Army attacked Shanhaiguan Pass at the Great Wall.
Which Japanese military units participated in the Battle of Rehe?
Japanese units assigned to the operation included the 6th Division and 8th Division of infantry supported by the 14th and 33rd Mixed Brigades. A 4th Cavalry Brigade moved alongside Type 92 Heavy Armored Cars during the push while the 1st Special Tank Company brought Type 89 Tanks into the field.
When did the offensive against Chinese defenders officially launch in the Battle of Rehe?
On the 23rd of February 1933 the offensive officially launched against the defenders. Chaoyang and Kailu fell to Japanese forces on February 25 before the capture of Chengde on March 4 concluded the battle.
Who commanded the volunteer brigades that joined the defense effort in Rehe province?
Five volunteer brigades led by Zhu Qinglan joined the defense effort alongside village militias and Manchurian bandits in exile. Zhang Xueliang issued warrants for the arrest of volunteers who hindered the defense instead of aiding it.
What international media coverage documented the early stages of the Battle of Rehe?
Time magazine published an issue on the 23rd of January 1933 titled On Bended Knee about the early stages. Subsequent editions featured headlines such as Bumps & Blood on the 27th of February 1933 and War of Jehol on the 6th of March 1933.