apr 16, 1928 - Germany and Japan Narrowly Avoid War

Description:

When a train travelling from Shanghai to Tianjin is derailed outside Suzhou and its occupants kidnapped by LEP deserters, the Japanese garrison in Shanghai seizes the opportunity to mount a “rescue expedition”. Thanks to the unilateral nature of the action, little to no prior warning provided by the Japanese, and the ongoing war to the north, Chinese and Japanese forces quickly escalate into a shooting war before superiors in Nanjing, Shanghai, or Tokyo are notified. Beijing lodges a fierce protest at the violation of their sovereignty, and riots break out in the Jiangnan region, but more importantly Germany threatens to intercede. For nearly forty eight hours the conflict looks likely to escalate even further as the sides assess the situation and the foreign ministries in Berlin and Tokyo frantically aim to avoid war.

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