Second+Sino-Japanese+War

The Second Sino-Japanese War began with Japan's invasion of northeastern China. The war lasted from (roughly) 1937 to 1945. Japan, with an Imperialist government, had been looking at the Chinese Civil War for a long time, waiting for the moment to strike. Many see the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, on July 7, 1937, to have started the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese had been performing night drills, with permission from the Chinese government, near the Marco Polo Bridge. The Japanese were required to give advance notice of the drills, but did not give notice on the night of July 7. The Chinese forces in the city interpreted the drills as an attack, and a few shots were exchanged. After a Japanese soldier did not return to his post, his company commander demanded that his soldiers be let in Wanping to search for his missing soldier. The Chinese wouldn't allow it, but would allow a Chinese search of the city with a Japanese officer supervising. An independent unit of Japanese infantry attempted to breach Wanping, but was repulsed. Japanese heavy weapons were brought in, and fired upon the city. This began the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Aerial view of the Marco Polo Bridge