Bloody Saturday (Shanghai): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Misdirected attack on civilians during the Second Sino-Japanese War}} |
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{{Infobox civilian attack |
{{Infobox civilian attack |
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| title = Bloody Saturday |
| title = Bloody Saturday |
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| native_name_lang = |
| native_name_lang = |
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| location = The intersection of Avenue Edward |
| location = The intersection of Avenue Edward VII, Yu Ya Ching Road and Boulevard de Montigny, near the Great World amusement centre, Shanghai |
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| target = [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] [[cruiser]] ''[[Japanese cruiser Izumo|Idzumo]]'' |
| target = [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] [[cruiser]] ''[[Japanese cruiser Izumo|Idzumo]]'' |
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| coordinates = {{coord|31.230628|121.473848 |display=inline,title}} |
| coordinates = {{coord|31.230628|121.473848 |display=inline,title}} |
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}}'''Bloody Saturday''',<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Victims of 'Bloody Saturday' bombing, Ave Edward VII, Shanghai, 14 August 1937 |url=https://hpcbristol.net/visual/AL-s63 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Historical Photographs of China}}</ref> also known as '''Black Saturday'''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Harmsen |first=Peter |url=https://books.google.com |
}}'''Bloody Saturday''',<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Victims of 'Bloody Saturday' bombing, Ave Edward VII, Shanghai, 14 August 1937 |url=https://hpcbristol.net/visual/AL-s63 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Historical Photographs of China |archive-date=2024-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611113717/https://hpcbristol.net/visual/AL-s63 |url-status=live }}</ref> also known as '''Black Saturday'''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Harmsen |first=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jpPUAgAAQBAJ |title=Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze |date=2013-05-03 |publisher=Casemate |isbn=978-1-61200-167-8 |language=en}}</ref> and the '''Great World bombing''',<ref name=":1">{{Cite conference |last=Henriot |first=Christian |date=2015 |title=August 1937: War and the death en masse of civilians |url=https://www.academia.edu/16567077 |conference=War in History and Memory: An International Conference on the Seventieth Anniversary of China's Victory for the War against Japan |location=Taipei, Taiwan |publisher=[[Academia Historica]] |pages=492–568}}</ref> was a misdirected attack on civilians by the [[Republic of China Air Force]] on 14 August 1937 during the [[Battle of Shanghai]] of the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]]. On the day, the [[Republic of China Air Force|Chinese Air Force]], in an unsuccessful attempt to attack the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] [[cruiser]] ''[[Japanese cruiser Izumo|Idzumo]]'' moored next to the Japanese Consulate in [[Shanghai International Settlement|Shanghai]], accidentally bombed the city centre, resulting in the deaths of some thousand civilians.<ref name=":0" /> |
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== Background == |
== Background == |
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| ⚫ | The outbreak of war on 13 August led to a significant refugee crisis in Shanghai's [[Shanghai International Settlement|International Settlement]] and the [[Shanghai French Concession|French Concession]], as residents from Zhabei, Hongkou, and Yangshupu sought safety. Between 26 July and 5 August 1937, over 50,000 civilians fled Zhabei, walking through the [[Waibaidu Bridge|Garden Bridge]] over the [[Suzhou Creek]] to reach the foreign settlements. Local organisations and institutions, including the notable [[Great World]] entertainment complex, began to provide shelter and food for the influx of refugees.<ref name=":1" /> |
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=== Weather conditions === |
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| ⚫ | In response to the situation in Shanghai, Chiang Kai-shek redirected the focus of the Chinese Air Force from North China to the Shanghai region. By 14 August, the 2nd Bomb Group, 4th Pursuit Group, and 5th Pursuit Group were ordered to relocate to bases in Jining, Qianqiu, and Yangzhou. The Central Aviation School near Hangzhou was also instructed to form new provisional squadrons. Rather than adopting a defensive strategy, the Chinese command directed all air units stationed in Eastern China to launch attacks on Japanese positions in Shanghai.<ref name=":1" /> |
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In August 1937, an unexpected typhoon swept coastal China, which prevented commercial shipping from accessing the city. The typhoon also damaged Shanghai's telephone system, hindering communication, and led to the suspension of flights between Shanghai and [[Guangzhou]]. Despite these disruptions, the recovery was quick, and normalcy returned soon after the typhoon passed.<ref>French 2017, pp. 6-7</ref> |
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=== Ongoing battles === |
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| ⚫ | Japan launches its full-scale invasion of China in July. By mid-July, China had lost Peiping and Tianjin. On 13 August, the Japanese gunboats began attacking the Chinese-administered northern Shanghai, especially near the [[Hujiang University|University of Shanghai]].<ref>French 2017, p. 8</ref> In response to the situation in Shanghai, Chiang Kai-shek redirected the focus of the Chinese Air Force from North China to the Shanghai region. By 14 August, the 2nd Bomb Group, 4th Pursuit Group, and 5th Pursuit Group were ordered to relocate to bases in Jining, Qianqiu, and Yangzhou. The Central Aviation School near Hangzhou was also instructed to form new provisional squadrons. Rather than adopting a defensive strategy, the Chinese command directed all air units stationed in Eastern China to launch attacks on Japanese positions in Shanghai.<ref name=":1" /> |
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=== Refugee crisis === |
|||
| ⚫ | The outbreak of war on 13 August led to a significant refugee crisis in Shanghai's [[Shanghai International Settlement|International Settlement]] and the [[Shanghai French Concession|French Concession]], as residents from Zhabei, Hongkou, and Yangshupu sought safety. Between 26 July and 5 August 1937, over 50,000 civilians fled Zhabei, walking through the [[Waibaidu Bridge|Garden Bridge]] over the [[Suzhou Creek]] to reach the foreign settlements. Local organisations and institutions, including the notable [[Great World]] entertainment complex, began to provide shelter and food for the influx of refugees.<ref name=":1" /> |
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== Air combats == |
== Air combats == |
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On 13 August, upon witnessing the arrival of the Japanese Third Fleet, [[Claire Lee Chennault]], who had been commissioned by [[Soong Mei-ling|Madame Chiang]], returned to Nanjing and recommended that Chinese bombers be deployed to attack the Japanese cruiser ''Idzumo''. Since no Chinese officers had prior experience with such an operation, Chennault took command of the mission.<ref>French 2017, p. 11</ref> |
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[[File:Civilian victims of the August 14 bombing near the Great World.jpg|thumb|Civilian victims of the August 14 bombing near the Great World]]Despite poor weather, the Chinese Air Force proceeded with its mission. Around 40 aircraft arrived over Shanghai, which was blanketed in thick clouds. The first strike happened in the morning when 21 Northrop Gamma bombers targeted Japanese ships at Wusong. A second wave followed with eight Curtiss Hawk III biplanes from the 5th Pursuit Group, each carrying 500-pound bombs, taking off from Yangzhou to attack Japanese ships near Nantong along the Yangtze River. Few in Shanghai were aware of the scale of these military operations. The Chinese planes aimed to strike the Japanese cruiser Izumo, but due to limited visibility and lack of experience, the bombs missed, falling into the Huangpu River instead. This caused large waves and sent shrapnel over the gathered spectators, creating panic. Despite the danger, many onlookers, including refugees who had fled from the northern districts, stayed in the area without realising the risks.<ref name=":1" /> |
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On 14 August, around 40 aircraft arrived over Shanghai, which was blanketed in thick clouds. The first strike happened in the morning when 21 [[Northrop Gamma]] bombers targeted Japanese ships at [[Wusong]]. A second wave followed with eight [[Curtiss F11C Goshawk|Curtiss Hawk III]] biplanes from the 5th Pursuit Group, each carrying 500-pound bombs, taking off from [[Yangzhou]] to attack Japanese ships near [[Nantong]] along the [[Yangtze]].<ref name=":1" /> |
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== Misdirected attacks == |
== Misdirected attacks == |
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At 4:27 pm, another group of Chinese aircraft appeared, prompting the Izumo to respond with anti-aircraft fire that filled the sky with smoke. Six planes managed to escape, but four others dropped bombs. Some bombs landed in the river, while others hit |
[[File:Civilian victims of the August 14 bombing near the Great World.jpg|thumb|Civilian victims of the August 14 bombing near the Great World]]The Chinese planes aimed to strike the Japanese cruiser ''Izumo'', but due to limited visibility and lack of experience, the bombs missed, falling into the [[Huangpu River]] instead. This caused large waves and sent shrapnel over the gathered spectators, creating panic. Despite the danger, many onlookers, including refugees who had fled from the northern districts, stayed in the area without realising the risks.<ref name=":1" /> |
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At 4:27 pm, another group of Chinese aircraft appeared, prompting the ''Izumo'' to respond with [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft fire]] that filled the sky with smoke. Six planes managed to escape, but four others dropped bombs. Some bombs landed in the river, while others hit [[Nanjing Road]], damaging buildings like the [[Cathay Hotel|Cathay]] and [[Palace Hotel, Shanghai|Palace Hotels]] and killing and injuring civilians. Vehicles were also set ablaze.<ref name=":1" /> 15 minutes later, two more bombs struck near the [[Great World]] amusement centre, where 10,000 refugees gathered.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Battle of Shanghai: An Illustrated Guide |url=https://www.historic-shanghai.com/horrors-of-war-the-battle-of-shanghai-in-bubblegum-cards/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Historic Shanghai |language=en}}</ref> One bomb exploded in mid-air, spreading debris widely and causing significant destruction. The blasts shattered windows, damaged buildings, and resulted in immediate fatalities. These air raids left over 1,200 people dead and around 1,400 injured.<ref name=":1" /> |
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== Reactions == |
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The bombing of the [[Foreign concessions in China|foreign concessions]] in Shanghai led to widespread panics, as it broke the relative safety of the foreign-protected land. People who wanted to leave the city crowded to the ticket office of [[American President Lines|Dollar Line]] offices on [[the Bund]], but the ships refused to go up the Huangpu River for the Bund due to the bombing. The French Concession enforced a [[no-fly zone]] with anti-aircraft batteries, despite protests from both Chinese and Japanese governments.<ref>French 2017, pp. 41-43</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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<references /> |
<references /> |
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== Further reading == |
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* {{Cite book |last=French |first=Paul |title=Bloody Saturday: Shanghai's Darkest Day |publisher=Penguin Books |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-76014-410-4 |location=Sydney, Australia}} |
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{{Second Sino-Japanese War}} |
{{Second Sino-Japanese War}} |
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[[Category:1937 in Shanghai]] |
[[Category:1937 in Shanghai]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:42, 25 November 2024
| Bloody Saturday | |
|---|---|
| Part of Battle of Shanghai and the Second Sino-Japanese War | |
 Great World amusement centre after bombing | |
| Native name |
|
| Location | The intersection of Avenue Edward VII, Yu Ya Ching Road and Boulevard de Montigny, near the Great World amusement centre, Shanghai |
| Coordinates | 31°13′50″N 121°28′26″E / 31.230628°N 121.473848°E |
| Date | August 14, 1937 |
| Target | Japanese cruiser Idzumo |
Attack type | Misdirected attack |
| Deaths | 1,200 |
| Injured | 1,400 |
Bloody Saturday,[1] also known as Black Saturday[2] and the Great World bombing,[3] was a misdirected attack on civilians by the Republic of China Air Force on 14 August 1937 during the Battle of Shanghai of the Second Sino-Japanese War. On the day, the Chinese Air Force, in an unsuccessful attempt to attack the Japanese cruiser Idzumo moored next to the Japanese Consulate in Shanghai, accidentally bombed the city centre, resulting in the deaths of some thousand civilians.[1]
Background
[edit]Weather conditions
[edit]In August 1937, an unexpected typhoon swept coastal China, which prevented commercial shipping from accessing the city. The typhoon also damaged Shanghai's telephone system, hindering communication, and led to the suspension of flights between Shanghai and Guangzhou. Despite these disruptions, the recovery was quick, and normalcy returned soon after the typhoon passed.[4]
Ongoing battles
[edit]Japan launches its full-scale invasion of China in July. By mid-July, China had lost Peiping and Tianjin. On 13 August, the Japanese gunboats began attacking the Chinese-administered northern Shanghai, especially near the University of Shanghai.[5] In response to the situation in Shanghai, Chiang Kai-shek redirected the focus of the Chinese Air Force from North China to the Shanghai region. By 14 August, the 2nd Bomb Group, 4th Pursuit Group, and 5th Pursuit Group were ordered to relocate to bases in Jining, Qianqiu, and Yangzhou. The Central Aviation School near Hangzhou was also instructed to form new provisional squadrons. Rather than adopting a defensive strategy, the Chinese command directed all air units stationed in Eastern China to launch attacks on Japanese positions in Shanghai.[3]
Refugee crisis
[edit]The outbreak of war on 13 August led to a significant refugee crisis in Shanghai's International Settlement and the French Concession, as residents from Zhabei, Hongkou, and Yangshupu sought safety. Between 26 July and 5 August 1937, over 50,000 civilians fled Zhabei, walking through the Garden Bridge over the Suzhou Creek to reach the foreign settlements. Local organisations and institutions, including the notable Great World entertainment complex, began to provide shelter and food for the influx of refugees.[3]
Air combats
[edit]On 13 August, upon witnessing the arrival of the Japanese Third Fleet, Claire Lee Chennault, who had been commissioned by Madame Chiang, returned to Nanjing and recommended that Chinese bombers be deployed to attack the Japanese cruiser Idzumo. Since no Chinese officers had prior experience with such an operation, Chennault took command of the mission.[6]
On 14 August, around 40 aircraft arrived over Shanghai, which was blanketed in thick clouds. The first strike happened in the morning when 21 Northrop Gamma bombers targeted Japanese ships at Wusong. A second wave followed with eight Curtiss Hawk III biplanes from the 5th Pursuit Group, each carrying 500-pound bombs, taking off from Yangzhou to attack Japanese ships near Nantong along the Yangtze.[3]
Misdirected attacks
[edit]
The Chinese planes aimed to strike the Japanese cruiser Izumo, but due to limited visibility and lack of experience, the bombs missed, falling into the Huangpu River instead. This caused large waves and sent shrapnel over the gathered spectators, creating panic. Despite the danger, many onlookers, including refugees who had fled from the northern districts, stayed in the area without realising the risks.[3]
At 4:27 pm, another group of Chinese aircraft appeared, prompting the Izumo to respond with anti-aircraft fire that filled the sky with smoke. Six planes managed to escape, but four others dropped bombs. Some bombs landed in the river, while others hit Nanjing Road, damaging buildings like the Cathay and Palace Hotels and killing and injuring civilians. Vehicles were also set ablaze.[3] 15 minutes later, two more bombs struck near the Great World amusement centre, where 10,000 refugees gathered.[7] One bomb exploded in mid-air, spreading debris widely and causing significant destruction. The blasts shattered windows, damaged buildings, and resulted in immediate fatalities. These air raids left over 1,200 people dead and around 1,400 injured.[3]
Reactions
[edit]The bombing of the foreign concessions in Shanghai led to widespread panics, as it broke the relative safety of the foreign-protected land. People who wanted to leave the city crowded to the ticket office of Dollar Line offices on the Bund, but the ships refused to go up the Huangpu River for the Bund due to the bombing. The French Concession enforced a no-fly zone with anti-aircraft batteries, despite protests from both Chinese and Japanese governments.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Victims of 'Bloody Saturday' bombing, Ave Edward VII, Shanghai, 14 August 1937". Historical Photographs of China. Archived from the original on 2024-06-11. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ Harmsen, Peter (2013-05-03). Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze. Casemate. ISBN 978-1-61200-167-8.
- ^ a b c d e f g Henriot, Christian (2015). August 1937: War and the death en masse of civilians. War in History and Memory: An International Conference on the Seventieth Anniversary of China's Victory for the War against Japan. Taipei, Taiwan: Academia Historica. pp. 492–568.
- ^ French 2017, pp. 6-7
- ^ French 2017, p. 8
- ^ French 2017, p. 11
- ^ "The Battle of Shanghai: An Illustrated Guide". Historic Shanghai. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
- ^ French 2017, pp. 41-43
Further reading
[edit]- French, Paul (2017). Bloody Saturday: Shanghai's Darkest Day. Sydney, Australia: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-1-76014-410-4.
