Resistance to the Japanese invasion Japanese invasion of Manchuria

using repair of nen river bridge pretext, japanese sent repair party in november under protection of japanese troops. fighting erupted between japanese forces , troops loyal acting governor of heilongjiang province muslim general ma zhanshan, chose disobey kuomintang government s ban on further resistance japanese invasion.

despite failure hold bridge, general ma zhanshan became national hero in china resistance @ nenjiang bridge, reported in chinese , international press. publicity inspired more volunteers enlist in anti-japanese volunteer armies.

the repaired bridge made possible further advance of japanese forces , armored trains. additional troops japan, notably 4th mixed brigade 8th division, sent in november.

on 15 november 1931, despite having lost more 400 men , 300 left wounded since 5 november, general ma declined japanese ultimatum surrender tsitsihar. on 17 november, in subzero weather, 3,500 japanese troops, under command of general jirō tamon, mounted attack, forcing general ma tsitsihar 19 november.