Inner Mongolia Campaign

In February 1933, after the successful Japanese invasion of Jaehe , the Kwantung Army left a small Japanese detachment and the Imperial Army of Manzhou to go over the eastern border of Jaehe Province, while the main Japanese forces moved south to fight the Great Wall . In April 1933, General Liu Guitan , who sided with the Japanese, made a distracting raid through the southeastern part of the Chahar province in order to divert Chinese reinforcements from the Great Wall. Finding that resistance was very weak, Liu sent 3,000 people further east to Zhangbei. Although this is considered a Japanese operation, it is possible that Liu’s further advancement was carried out without the explicit permission of the Japanese.

The Kuomintang military command in Beiping appointed General Fu Zuoy as commander of the 7th Army Group, and instructed him to ensure the security of the borders of Jaehe Province. At the end of April, when the advancing Japanese forces reached Miyun, He Yingqin redeployed Fu Zuoyi’s troops to strengthen Beiping ’s defenses east of Changping, leaving the border with the Chahar province uncovered. Japanese-Manchu forces seized the opportunity on May 11, and quickly followed Liu Guitan, capturing the Dolon Nur area and taking Guyuan just before the signing of the armistice in Tangu on May 31, 1933.

The armistice in Tanggu has outraged public opinion in China, especially in cities. Groups of Chinese patriots, dissatisfied with Chiang Kai-shek (both from the Communists and from the Kuomintang) began to organize and support Volunteer anti-Japanese military forces to combat the further advancement of the Japanese.

General Feng Yuxiang and his former subordinate Ji Hongchang were able to organize many former NRA soldiers under their command. Fang Zhengu gathered volunteers from all over China. In addition to them, there were local militias displaced by the Japanese from Zhehe , anti-Japanese detachments in Manchuria led by Feng Zhanhai , the local Chakhar militia, as well as Mongol units led by Demchigdonrov . Even Liu Guitan , who collaborated with the Japanese , switched sides, joining anti-Japanese forces; Joining them was the bandit Wang Ying from Suiyuan Province.

After a meeting of commanders of all stripes on May 26, 1933, the creation of the Chakhar People's Anti-Japanese Army with Feng Yuxiang as commander-in-chief was proclaimed; Fang Zhengu became deputy commander in chief, and Ji Hongchang became commander of advanced units. According to various estimates, the army brought together from 60 to 120 thousand people; Feng Yuxiang claimed 100 thousand. However, most volunteers did not have rifles and other modern weapons.

By the time the People's Anti-Japanese Army was created, the Kwantung Army had strengthened the defense of Dolon-nur, where 2,000 people from the Japanese 4th Cavalry Brigade and the artillery unit were concentrated. Outside the city, the Japanese erected 32 blockhouses with trenches, a telephone network, and fence lines. The outer lines of defense were occupied by the Manchu units commanded by Li Shousin . To the south, in Fannin, was the Japanese 8th regiment, which could come to the aid of the forces in Dolon-nur.

The situation for the Anti-Japanese Army worsened day after day. On June 1, Japanese planes bombed Dushikou, on June 4, the Japanese took Baochan, and on June 5 - Kanbao. On June 21, Feng Yuxiang ordered the United Anti-Japanese Army to launch a counterattack with three columns in order to recover the lost territory. On June 22, its vanguard approached Kanbao, and after a battle of several hours, the Manchu troops commanded by General Tsui Xingu fled and the Chinese units occupied the city.

At the end of June, Ji Hongchang led two corps to the north-east to Dolon-nur. The northern corps recaptured Baochan from the demoralized Manchu units of Tsui Xingu. The southern corps commanded by Fang Zhengu approached Guiyang, who controlled Liu Guitan. Liu was persuaded to switch sides, and without a fight he surrendered Guyang and the surrounding territories.

On July 8, before dawn, Ji Hunchang launched an attack on Dolon Nur, and captured two lines of defense in front of the city before being repelled with heavy losses. After this, part of Ji's soldiers was disguised as being sent to the city for reconnaissance before the second attack. The second attack took place on July 12 and led to the capture of Dolon-nur, the expulsion of Japanese-Manchu troops from the province of Chahar. At the end of July, Feng Yuxiang and Ji Hongchang formed the "Committee for the Return of the Four Provinces of the Northeast" in Kalgan , directly threatening the existence of the freshly created Japanese puppet state of Manzhou-go .

Chiang Kai-shek believed that the Communists were in charge of the United Anti-Japanese Army and considered it a threat to his power. When the creation of the Joint Anti-Japanese Army was announced, the Kuomintang authorities in Beiping issued an order to terminate the railway communication with Kalgan . After that, they sent an armored train to Kalgan and ordered Yan Xishan to place troops consisting of the 42nd division under the command of Feng Qinjai , the 35th army under the command of Fu Zoyi and the 3rd army under the command of Ban Binsun near the border of Shanxi and Chahar provinces. In July, the 17th Army of Xu Tingyao and the 87th Division of Wang Jingju replaced the Sun Dianying forces and took control of the railway going from Beiping to Suiyuan Province, cutting off the opportunity for the United Anti-Japanese Army to receive supplies and reinforcements from outside.

Chiang Kai-shek also used their internal differences against the Anti-Japanese forces, sent spies, spread rumors and sow discord, bribed leaders. Generals Gang Bao, Feng Zhanhai, Li Zhongyi and Tan Zixing went to Chiang Kai-shek; Deng Wen was killed.

The Japanese seized the opportunity offered by this policy to invade Chahar again in August. On August 8, the Japanese bombed Guyuan and again attacked Guyuan and Dolon-nur. Ji Hongchang suspended the Japanese promotion, but the blockade by Chiang Kai-shek led to the lack of food, clothing, ammunition and money. Feng Yuxiang was unable to deliver this from the outside, and within the provinces there were no resources to supply the army.

On August 5, Feng Yuxiang sent a telegram announcing that he was going to formally dissolve the Joint Anti-Japanese Army, and requested the National Government to allow Song Zheyuan to return to monitor the process. Soldiers and officers of the United Army, who suffered from hunger, illness, and lack of salaries, easily agreed to join the NRA (demobilization was an alternative). On August 18, Feng Yuxiang resigned and left Chahar; immediately after this, the Japanese again occupied Dolon Nur.

Song Zheyuan made Ruan Xuan (the former commander of the 5th Corps) the head of the Shandu garrison with the command of two regiments, and Fu Chun (the former commander of the 24th Division) commander of one of the subordinates of the Ruan regiments. Zhang Lingyun (former commander of the 6th Corps) headed the Baochang garrison, Me Yulin (former commander of the Partisan Division) became his deputy, commanding two regiments. Huang Shouzhong (former commander of the 18th Corps) received two battalions of local partisans under his command. Sun Liangcheng (former corps commander), Liu Zhengdong and guerrilla commander Tang Juyu received a regiment. Zhang Lisheng for dissolving the Chahar Defense Army took the post of consultant to the local government. Tang Zixin, Zhang Renzu, and Li Zhongyi became subordinate to the Beiping Military Council. The troops of Yao Jingchuan, Song Kabin and other commanders were reduced and reorganized.

After the Combined Anti-Japanese Army of Fang Zhengwu and Ji Hunchang was significantly reduced due to the activities of Song, its new commander Fang Zhengwu was ordered to redeploy the army east to Dushikou. Some of Ji Hongchang's subordinates attempted to travel west, to Ningxia Province, through Suiyuan Province. However, Fu Zuoi and Zhang Lingyun caught up and blocked them east of Ertaizi, forcing them to move east to join Fang Zhengu in Dushikou.

September 10, Ji Hongchang, Fang Zhenguu, Tang Yulin and Liu Guitan gathered for a meeting in Yunzhou (north of Chicheng). At the meeting, they decided to reorganize their troops and changed their name to "Army to Combat the Japanese and Punish Bandits"; Fang Zhenyu became the commander in chief, Tang Yulin - the deputy commander in chief, Liu Guitan is the commander of the right column, Ji Hongchang is the commander of the left column. Caught by Chiang Kai-shek troops from the south and Japanese troops from the north, they decided to leave Dushikou and head south in the direction of Beiping .

After the meeting, the left column under the command of Ji Hongchang set off along the Hei River to Huizhou, east of the Great Wall; the right column under the command of Fang Zhengu set off along the Bai River west of the Great Wall. Both columns crossed the Great Wall on September 20-21, after which Ji attacked Huizhou, and Fang Zhengu attacked and occupied Miyun.

Meanwhile, Liu Guitan, having communicated with Song Zheyuan, again went over to the side of the Japanese, having received the title "Commander of the destruction of bandits in East Chahar"; under his command there were three regiments - in Chichen, Dushikou and Yunzhou. As a result, Liu’s troops prevented Tang’s troops from following the others south, leaving Fang Zhengu and Ji Hongchang alone.

September 25, Fang Zhengu attacked and occupied Gaoliin. The Japanese reconnaissance aircraft dropped its requirement to leave the demilitarized zone established by the Tangu Armistice the next day. Since they did not, on September 27, Japanese planes dropped bombs on their positions. Feng and Ji decided with the remaining 6 thousand people (of which about half did not have weapons) having divided into three groups to continue moving. In early October, Ji's troops stumbled in the Changping area on the troops of Shang Zheng , Kuan Linzheng and Pan Binsun , which blocked their path; a few days later they were surrounded. despite the lack of food and equipment, after several days of heavy fighting, the Fan Yi forces were able to break through east of Xiaotangshan, but suffered heavy losses and were again trapped. The remaining 4,500 people were forced to capitulate. Ji was able to escape in turmoil, making his way to Tianjin and continuing the struggle with the Japanese; Fan was forced to emigrate to Hong Kong .

In September 1933, Mongolian princes from the provinces of Chahar and Suyuan gathered in Bailemiao (north of Hohhot ) for a council led by Prince Demchigdonrov , who had been trying for several months to create a Pan-Mongolian self-government movement. In mid-October, despite their traditional mutual suspicion, the princes agreed to sign an agreement on the “Confederation of Aymaks of Inner Mongolia”. They sent a message to Nanjing that although the Chinese government formally recognizes the autonomy of Inner Mongolia, they will seek support from Japan.

General Jiro Minami , who commanded the Kwantung Army , and Colonel Seishiro Itagaki supported the Autonomous Government of Inner Mongolia, however, when General Minami sent Colonel Ryukiti Tanaka and another officer in April 1935 to negotiate with Prince Damchigdonrow, no agreement was signed.

In June 1935, the Severochakhar incident occurred , followed by the Qin-Doihara Agreement . Under the terms of this agreement, all forces of the Chinese 29th Army were obliged to withdraw from areas north of Changbei, which led to an almost complete evacuation of Chinese troops from Chahar province. The maintenance of public order was entrusted to the Peacekeeping Corps, a police force armed with only light weapons. Chinese settlers were forbidden to resettle in the northern part of the Chahar province, and the Kuomintang was banned, as well as other anti-Japanese organizations. In August 1935, General Minami met with Prince Demchigdonrov, at this meeting the prince promised to work closely with Japan, and the general promised to help him financially.

On December 24, 1935, General Minami sent two battalions of the irregular Manchu cavalry under the command of Li Shoushin , a squadron of Japanese aircraft, and several tanks to help Prince Damchigdonrov occupy the northern part of Chahar province. Only a few thousand people from the Peacekeeping Corps could defend the six counties of northern Chahar. With Lee's help, Mongol forces soon took control of the territory.

Japanese training

Some time before the capture of northern Chahar, Japanese intelligence began operating in the province of Suyuan , placing radio stations there with radio operators disguised as Buddhist monks. After Seishiro Sochiaki became chief of staff of the Kwantung Army , the development of plans for the invasion of Suyuan intensified.

At the end of April 1936, Prince Demchigdonrov and Li Shoushin met with Japanese intelligence captain Takayoshi Tanaka . Representatives of Qinghai and Outer Mongolia also attended the meeting, called the "Conference on the Establishment of a State". It was planned to create a new Mongol empire, which would occupy the territory of Inner and Outer Mongolia, as well as Qinghai province. В результате встречи 21 мая 1936 года было сформировано Монгольское военное правительство . В июле 1936 года было заключено соглашение о взаимопомощи с Маньчжоу-го , а Япония согласилась предоставить военную и экономическую помощь.

Князь Дэмчигдонров стал расширять и перевооружать свою армию, расширив её с помощью японцев с трёх кавалерийских дивизий до девяти дивизий. Японцы передали ему оружие, захваченное у Северо-восточной армии. Однако Танака проигнорироал советы монгольских лидеров, и также взял в войска плохо вооружённых бывших бандитов из различных регионов. Не имеющие общей идеи, плохо обученные и плохо вооружённые, эти иррегулярные силы в количестве порядка 10.000 человек, были скорее обузой, чем подмогой. Кроме того, в состав Национальной армии Мэнцзяна была включена Великая ханьская справедливая армия Ван Ина .

The Japanese also created the Menjiang Air Force from 28 aircraft based in Zhangbei, and created armored and artillery units; all staff was japanese. UMZhD sent 150 trucks to create transport parts, and the government of Manzhou-go provided communications.

Chinese training

General Fu Zuoi was preparing for the expected Japanese-Mongol attack, requesting reinforcements for his local forces from Shanxi Governor Yan Xishan , as well as from Chiang Kai-shek , who had transferred his Central Army to Shaanxi Province to fight the Communists who arrived there after the Great Campaign . On August 9, Yan sent the 9th army under the command of Wang Jingguo (consisted of the 68th division, 7th and 8th separate brigades and four artillery regiments), and on September 18 the Central Army transferred one air defense battalion.

On October 14, Chiang Kai-shek sent a telegram to Yan Xishan, I recommend sending Tang Enbo troops, the 13th army (of two divisions) and the 7th Men Bingyue cavalry division to Suiyuan . On October 30, Yan Xishan and Fu Zuoy met with Chiang Kai-shek to discuss the military situation and determine a scheme for deploying troops. On November 11, Yan Xishan redistributed his forces, creating three field armies, a cavalry army and a reserve army, and arranging them so that the overall alignment would be completed as soon as Tan Enbo's troops approached. However, the Japanese struck first, November 15, 1936.

Suyuan Campaign

The Suyuan campaign began on November 14, 1936, when the 7th and 8th cavalry divisions of the Menjiang Army , the Great Han Fair Army of Wang Ying and the Mongolian mercenaries from Zhehe, Chahar and other places, together with 30 Japanese advisers, attacked the Chinese garrison in Hongort.

As a result of several days of fighting, the attackers could not take the city. On November 17, a Chinese counterattack unexpected for the aggressors took place, which led to their random flight. Taking advantage of the disorganization of the Mongolian troops, General Fu Zuoyi carried out a flank maneuver, capturing the Mongolian headquarters in Bailingmiao and taking all the Mongol forces to flight. Wang Ying and his Great Han Just Army attempted a counterattack from Bailingmiao, but it ended in failure. On December 19, Wang In's army ceased to exist.

The defeat of Japanese minions inspired many Chinese to show more resistance to the Japanese. The “trigger” may have been the Xi'an incident , which occurred immediately after the successful completion of the fighting.

Local fighting continued in Suiyuan until the Lugouqiao incident the following year. After the defeat in Suiyuan, Demchigdonrov had to rebuild his troops. With the help of the Japanese, by the beginning of the war in June 1937, his army consisted of 20 thousand people, united in 8 cavalry divisions. These forces took part in the Chahar operation and the battle of Taiyuan , during which the Japanese-Mongol forces finally captured the eastern part of Suyuan province.

At the end of World War II, a civil war broke out between the CCP and the Kuomintang in China. After the victory of the Communists, collaborators from Inner Mongolia suffered a well-deserved punishment.

• Campaign on republicanchina.org