Operations in Southern Northeast China Japanese invasion of Manchuria

in late november 1931, general honjō dispatched 10,000 soldiers in 13 armoured trains, escorted squadron of bombers, in advance on chinchow mukden. force had advanced within 30 kilometres (19 mi) of chinchow, when received order withdraw. operation cancelled japanese war minister general jirō minami, due acceptance of modified form of league of nations proposal neutral zone established buffer zone between china proper , manchuria pending future chinese-japanese peace conference civilian government of prime minister wakatsuki reijiro in tokyo.

however, 2 sides failed reach lasting agreement. wakatsuki government fell , replaced new cabinet led prime minister inukai tsuyoshi. further negotiations kuomintang government failed, japanese government authorized reinforcement of troops in manchuria. in december, rest of 20th infantry division, along 38th mixed brigade 19th infantry division sent manchuria korea while 8th mixed brigade 10th infantry division sent japan. total strength of kwantung army increased around 60,450 men.

with stronger force japanese army announced on 21 december beginning of large scale anti-bandit operations in manchuria quell growing resistance movement local chinese population in liaoning , kirin provinces.

on 28 december, new government formed in china after members of old nanjing government resigned. threw military command turmoil, , chinese army retreated south of great wall hebei province, humiliating move lowered china s international image. japanese forces occupied chinchow on 3 january 1932, after chinese defenders retreated without giving combat. following day japanese occupied shanhaiguan completing military takeover of southern manchuria.