Hello, and thank you for listening to the history of World War II podcast, Episode 208,

the Battle of Shanghai, Japanese reinforcements.

Last time, the Japanese expeditionary force had consolidated most of its gains along the

coast.

Now was the time to push west to give the invaders the room they needed to take Shanghai

proper, as well as destroy the Chinese defenders in front of them.

Yet Chiang Kai-shek had his troops pull back to form hopefully an impenetrable wall that

would disallow the Japanese, both objectives.

To further this defensive goal, Chiang took control of the defense himself in mid-September,

believing he was bringing a decisive element to the war, but then his inexperience showed

itself, as he divided up the front into three zones, the left, central, and right wings.

This at a time when close coordination would be needed to halt the more advanced and better

organized attackers.

As for the foreigners in the nearby settlements, they strove mightily to get on with normal

lives.

The Shanghai Football Association convened its annual meeting, the British continued to

drink tea and play tennis, thinking they were relatively safe.

The two movie theaters continued showing the latest releases.

Of course, there was a curfew now, so most activity ended at 1130.

Still, the foreigners recognized some element of reality, as most foreign countries sent

extra troops to guard their expats.

The Japanese allowed this, as again the last thing they needed, was more trouble with additional

...