Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze

Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze examines the three-month battle between Chinese and Japanese forces for control of Shanghai at the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War. The battle marked China's first major engagement with Japan and became one of the largest military confrontations in the history of Asia. The narrative follows both military commanders and ordinary soldiers on both sides as they fight through Shanghai's urban terrain. Harmsen draws on previously untapped sources including diaries, letters, and news reports from Chinese, Japanese, and Western observers who witnessed the conflict firsthand. The book reconstructs the day-by-day progression of the battle while providing context about the political and strategic factors that led to this pivotal engagement. Maps, photographs, and firsthand accounts help illustrate the reality of urban warfare in 1937 Shanghai. This account reveals broader themes about the nature of warfare in densely populated cities and the devastating impact of modern industrial combat on civilian populations. The Battle of Shanghai would prove to be a harbinger of urban warfare tactics that would later emerge in World War II.

Readers appreciate the detailed research and vivid descriptions of this lesser-known WWII battle. Many note it fills an important gap in Western military history literature. Likes: - Clear maps and photographs that aid understanding - Personal accounts from Chinese, Japanese and Western sources - Day-by-day chronological structure - Context about China's political situation Dislikes: - Some readers found the writing dry and academic - Several mentioned wanting more background on Chinese-Japanese relations - A few noted confusion keeping track of military units and commanders - Some wanted more civilian perspectives Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (486 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (221 ratings) Reader Quote: "Harmsen brings to life a crucial battle that shaped Asia's WWII experience, though Western readers rarely hear about it." - Amazon reviewer "The maps could be better quality and more detailed" was a common criticism across multiple review platforms.

Nanjing 1937: Battle for a Doomed City by Peter Harmsen The fall of China's capital to Japanese forces marked a pivotal moment in the Second Sino-Japanese War through accounts from soldiers and civilians on both sides.

Japan's War by Edwin P. Hoyt The Pacific War unfolds from Japan's perspective, from the roots of militarism through the battles in China to the empire's ultimate defeat.

Shanghai's Dancing World by Andrew David Field The nightlife and culture of 1930s Shanghai provides context for the city that became a battleground between Chinese and Japanese forces.

The Battle for China by Mark Peattie, Edward Drea, and Hans van de Ven Military historians examine the key campaigns and battles of the Second Sino-Japanese War through Chinese, Japanese, and Western sources.

Tower of Skulls by Richard B. Frank The first volume in a Pacific War trilogy focuses on the period from 1937-1942, including the battle for Shanghai and its aftermath.

🌟 The battle for Shanghai in 1937 lasted three months and resulted in over 250,000 casualties, making it one of the bloodiest battles in the Sino-Japanese war. 🌟 Author Peter Harmsen lived in East Asia for two decades as a foreign correspondent for various news organizations, including AFP and Bloomberg. 🌟 The battle marked one of the first times in history that civilians witnessed and documented modern urban warfare through photographs and news reports. 🌟 German military advisers played a crucial role in training and supporting Chinese forces during the battle, despite Nazi Germany's alliance with Japan. 🌟 The fighting in Shanghai involved extensive use of snipers in high-rise buildings, creating what many consider to be the first modern urban sniper warfare.