Hi Reader, welcome back to our weekly coverage of what happened in the skies and on the ground during World War II. This week, we cover the false flag incident that led to Imperial Japan's invasion of the Manchurian region in China in 1931, marking one of the earliest steps leading to WWII. Join us as we delve into the history of one of the most pivotal conflicts ever and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Japan Invades Manchuria
This week in history, on September 18, 1931, Imperial Japan invaded the Manchuria region of China, marking the beginning of Japanese aggression in Asia that would eventually lead to World War II. The invasion followed the Mukden Incident, a false-flag operation staged by Japanese military personnel targeting a Japanese-owned railway near Mukden, Manchuria. While the explosion caused minimal damage, the Imperial Japanese Army used it as a pretext to launch a full-scale invasion of the region, seeking control of its vast natural resources. By the following year, Chinese resistance had collapsed, and Manchuria was firmly under Japanese occupation.
Before the invasion, Japan already maintained a significant military presence in Manchuria, primarily to safeguard the South Manchurian Railway, which provided access to the region’s vital natural resources. As Japanese nationalism surged and anti-Chinese sentiments grew, military officials saw expansion into Manchuria as essential to securing Japan’s future. The country faced dwindling natural resources and a rapidly increasing population, further intensifying the belief that controlling Manchuria's wealth of resources was in Japan's best interest.
Believing that conflict in Manchuria was essential for Japan’s expansion, Kwantung Army officers Colonel Seishiro Itagaki and Lieutenant Colonel Kanji Ishiwara independently devised a plan to provoke an invasion. On September 18, 1931, members of the Japanese garrison planted a small explosive device next to the South Manchurian Railway, which detonated at approximately 10 PM. Although the damage was minimal, the event was greatly sensationalized and became known as the Mukden Incident.
The following morning, on September 19, the Japanese Army retaliated by launching an assault on the defending Chinese garrison, initiating artillery bombardments followed by ground attacks. Despite being outnumbered, with over 500 Japanese troops facing 7,000 Chinese defenders, the Chinese forces were no match for the experienced Japanese soldiers. General Shigeru Honjō, commander-in-chief of the Kwantung Army, seized the opportunity to expand further into Manchuria. Additional Japanese troops stationed in Korea were deployed to support the invasion, despite lacking authorization from the Emperor. By the end of September 19, several nearby cities had fallen into Japanese control.
In Tokyo, the Japanese civilian government was caught off guard by the sudden escalation. The invasion, initiated by the Japanese Army, had occurred without approval from the central government or the Emperor. At the time, the Imperial Japanese military held significant influence over the government’s structure. The civilian government was essentially at the mercy of the Army and Navy, as their participation was constitutionally required to form cabinets. Without the military's support, the government risked collapse, leaving the leadership in a precarious position. With the invasion becoming overly successful, the Japanese government had no choice but to fall in support of the Army and Navy.
Following the invasion, the League of Nations dispatched a commission to investigate the escalating conflict. The investigation concluded that Japan was responsible for the aggression, leading the League to formally condemn Japan’s actions. However, despite the condemnation, the League was unwilling to impose further punitive measures. Frustrated by this lack of decisive action, Japan withdrew from the League of Nations and established a puppet regime in Manchuria, known as Manchukuo. The region would remain under Japanese occupation until the end of World War II in 1945.
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Thank you for tuning in to this week's coverage of what happened on the ground and the skies during World War II. We hope to see you again next week for even more incredible true stories. And as always, see you in the skies.
-TJ
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"If and when the war starts, no matter where or whoever you are or if you are young or old, Northerner or Southerner, you all have the responsibility of protecting our home and repelling the enemy, you all must have the will to achieve ultimate sacrifice." - Chiang Kai-shek