The Nanjing Incident, 1927 (1)
February 1927
Imperial Palace, Tokyo
"Your Majesty, the civil war in China grows increasingly violent. Chiang Kai-shek's forces aim to capture Nanjing, and Japanese civilians may be caught in the crossfire."
"Captain Takashiro, the conflict between the Nationalist right and left wings, the Communists, and the Beiyang warlords has plunged China into chaos. In such turmoil, anything could happen."
"Indeed, Your Majesty. As a precaution, I recommend evacuating civilians abroad, fortifying the consulate with defensive barriers, and stationing 1,000 troops with supplies. Naval vessels should also standby in Nanjing."
"But if fighting erupts in Nanjing, wouldn't it be safer to evacuate everyone, including consular staff?"
"Respectfully, Your Majesty, if even one civilian remains, we must protect them. The consulate cannot withdraw until the last moment. Moreover, if other powers refuse to leave, Japan's unilateral retreat would be a diplomatic failure. The consulate is Japanese soil. We must demonstrate unwavering resolve to defend it. Depending on the severity of the incident, we can then consider evacuating other settlements."
"Very well. Make the arrangements."
Military Deployment
Army Provisional Brigade (2,500 men)
Commander: Colonel Tomita
1,000 troops stationed inside the consulate (a sprawling compound capable of housing them).
Remainder aboard naval vessels for rotation/logistics.
Navy Dispatch
Light cruisers Yūbari and Naka
4 transport ships
900 marines under Colonel Muranishi
Already Anchored in Nanjing
Destroyers Hinoki, Momo, and Hamakaze
Mid-March 1927
The brigade arrives in Nanjing.
Working discreetly, they smuggled supplies and weapons into the consulate and began fortifications:
A 2-meter gap behind the consulate walls was filled with sandbag barriers, encircling the compound.
Barbed wire lined the walls and gaps—trapping any rioters who scaled them.
Rooftop positions were fortified with sandbags and 8 Type 3 machine guns to fire down on intruders.
Troops were armed with the newly standardized Type 85 automatic rifles (for field testing) and backup Type 38 infantry rifles.
The Foreign Ministry had already issued evacuation orders to Japanese civilians in Nanjing. Citing the Nikolayevsk Incident, the government prioritized lives over property, forcibly relocating citizens to transport ships.
"If nothing happens, all the better."
But history's wheels turned without mercy.
March 24, 1927 – Dawn
Chiang Kai-shek's forces, led by Cheng Qian, entered Nanjing peacefully. By 10 AM, however, soldiers and civilians chanting "China and Russia are one family!" and "Down with imperialism!" began attacking foreign consulates.
American, British, Italian, and French consulates were overrun—their staff murdered or violated.
Then, the mob turned toward the Japanese consulate.
"They're here…"
Colonel Tomita's face twisted in grim resolve.
He alerted the cruisers on the Yangtze River, putting marines on standby. Through naval channels, he also requested Chiang Kai-shek's approval for:
Self-defense against the mob.
Rescue missions for other consulates.
The consulate's main gate was barricaded with sandbags. Until rioters crossed the walls—foreign soil—the troops couldn't fire.
"China and Russia are one family!"
"Down with imperialism!"
The mob scaled the walls with ladders.
"They're over! Open fire on intruders!"
Tomita gave the order. Simultaneously, support troops and the navy were notified.
Gunfire erupted:
Type 3 machine guns on the rooftop mowed down rioters at 30–50 meters.
Those who survived the volley faced a 4-meter drop into barbed wire thickets.
Troops in the courtyard fired Type 85 rifles loaded with 5.0g lead-core bullets—designed for close-range stopping power. The rounds tumbled inside bodies, shredding organs.
As the Japanese consulate held firm, distress calls came from the American and British consulates…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N: If you like it please vote with power stone please. More stones equals faster release.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: "Nanjing sure has a way of making history…"
As we near the finale, your bookmarks and ratings keep me typing through the night! Even ★☆☆☆☆ critiques are welcome—I'll improve.
Feedback like "Pacing's slow" or "Hard to follow" helps. Worried if non-history fans enjoy this—let me know!
Your support is my rocket fuel.
Next: Rescue Missions and Retribution!