Battle of Shanghai
Shanghai, China
What happened
The army of the Republic of China under Chiang Kai-shek fought the Japanese army under Iwane Matsui. After fighting broke out near the Marco Polo Bridge in July 1937, Japan and China went to war. For three months, Chinese troops fought Japanese forces in the streets of Shanghai and along the coast, though Japan had far stronger air, naval and tank forces. Japan eventually captured the city.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It is seen as the start of full-scale war between China and Japan. China used the time to move important factories inland, but lost many of its best troops.
What came next
Japan's army advanced toward Nanjing, then China's capital.
Did you know?
In the last days of the battle, a young Girl Guide, Yang Huimin, carried a Chinese flag to the soldiers defending the Sihang Warehouse, and they raised it as a sign of defiance.
Timeline
- July 1937The Marco Polo Bridge Incident.
- 13 August 1937The Battle of Shanghai begins.
- 27 October-1 November 1937Chinese soldiers defend the Sihang Warehouse.
- 26 November 1937The battle ends with a Japanese victory.