What did the allied detachments stationed at the international settlement in Shanghai do when war with Japan began? Did they put up a fight against all odds, simply surrendered or just weren´t there anymore? I know, for example, that the China Marines had already been evacuated, but, were there any other troops left? What about units somewhere else in China?
Here's a bit from one site. Some of the links are defunct. China Marine Association. Fort Worth, Texas: Star-Telegram Online Services. 12 January 1998. Online. Available: 10 August 1998. “Prior to World War II, the Marines were stationed in North China on numerous occasions to protect American business interests and missionaries. They were first sent in while Admiral Perry was in Japan watching over American interests. The Marines moved into Shanghai in 1854 following occupation of foreign trading settlements in and around Shanghai. The American Mission grounds were threatened by the Imperial Chinese Army which was engaged in fighting the Revolutionary forces of T'ien Wang. The mission of the Marines was to protect American personnel and property. In 1856 the Marines were sent into Canton and again into Shanghai. Over the next 40 years they were periodically sent into China for the purpose of protecting American interests. "The Boxer Rebellion in 1900 set the stage for the Marines to be in North China for the next forty years. In 1905, the Marines returned to Peking after the Boxer Rebellion had been brought under control. The Marines were sent to Shanghai in 1911, 1912, 1913, 1922, 1925, and remained during the period 1927 to 1934. Their mission was again to protect American business and missionary interests. On November 10, 1941 the Marines were ordered out of China and left for the Philippines." From the site page. Internet / WWW Sites JT
I realize that the information above doesn't answer your question, since it concerns Marines. The American Volunteer Group remained in China until mid-1942, five years after the Japanese invasion. Flying Tigers: American Volunteer Group JT
Thanks Jacobtowne. Does anyone know about any other allied fighting troops in Shanghai, or somewhere else in China, at the outbreak of war with Japan? I´ve heard about Marines who did put up a fight at Tientsin or somewhere like that, or of a Jap stronghold in the battle of Tengchong, originally called "The British Customs House".
Just trying to find out about the British. Had a look here about troops deployed 3-9-39 British Army Overseas- 3 September 1939 I see 1st Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders was in Shangai in 1939, then looking here. 1st Bn, Seaforth Highlanders: Service They were in India when war with Japan broke out. Where as the 2nd Battalion, The East Surrey Regiment who were there at the same time went to Malaya and took heavy losses at Singapore. 2nd Bn, The East Surrey Regiment: Service also The inter-war years 1919-1939 - The East Surrey Regiment In 1938, it embarked for China and were part of the garrison in Shanghai. In August 1940 the Battalion moved to Malaya and were stationed at Pasir Panjang when the Japanese invaded Malaya. Little bit of info here about Shanghai in 1941. BBC - WW2 People's War - Life in Occupied Shanghai - 1941 Article from Time magizine about Shanghai garrison. There'll Always Be a Shanghai - TIME Monday, Nov. 24, 1941 The nervous International Settlement took special comfort in the Marines after Shanghai's British garrison left last year, after the Japanese got control of the Settlement's governing council last May. Shanghai to the Marines - TIME Monday, Aug. 19, 1940 Last week that resistance crumbled. In Tokyo, 126 (out of 466) members of the lower house of the Diet signed a petition denouncing Britain's "unpardonably atrocious" act in arresting nine Japanese as a retaliation for Japanese arrest of 15 alleged British spies. Next day the British War Office announced the withdrawal from Shanghai of Britain's garrison, about 1,500 effectives of the Seaforth Highlanders, East Surreys and various technical corps. Decision for this move was thought to have been taken at least two months ago, because of the realization that Great Britain, fighting for its life in the Occident, could not possibly put up a winning fight east of Singapore. This left Shanghai in the hands of some 1,200 U. S. Marines, a negligible French garrison and an overwhelmingly superior Japanese force.
The RN & the USN each had a gunboat in Shanghai on 8 December 1941, which was the local date on which Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Neither HMS Peterel or the USS Wake had any chance against the Japanese forces present, which included the cruiser Idzumo; both were being used primarily as communications stations. The Japanese attacked Wake 2 hours after the start of the attack on Pearl Harbor. She had not been informed of it so was taken by surprise & her crew captured. Peterel was warned by the British Consulate so was at battle stations & was able to put up some resistance but was sunk; 6 of her crew were killed, some in the water after abandoning ship, & 14 captured, one of them dying in captivity. One man, who was ashore at the time, escaped. HMS Peterel & USS Wake
Another crew list here for HMS Peterel. The crew list of HMS Peterel Some photos of them to, click on each name.
Right on the money, Owen D! Thanks. Does anyone else know about other allied contingents in China at the outbreak of war with Japan?
