CHINESE ESCAPING FROM ENEMY TRAP (Real Time + 70 Years)

Microfiche-New York Times archives | 5/17/38 | Hugh Byas

[Homer_J_Simpson]

There are several related short articles tacked on at the end.

CougarGA7 said on the May 11 thread:

Also starting around this time is what was called the Japanese Spring Offensives in China.

On May 10th 1938 Japan captured the port city of Xiamen. As spring progressed the Japanese move on to capture Xuzhou on the 20th, Kaifeng, on 6 June, and Ankang on 12 June.

These stories reflect how the spring offensive is rolling along.

The times apparently has both Japanese- and Chinese-speaking correspondents sending back news. I'll bet it is still difficult to get accurate information. Both sides are spinning the situation to their own benefit and communications are probably dicey anyway.

[Petronski]

This was seventy years ago, of course, not seventy years from now. Title should read “-70”.

[KarlInOhio]

Have you kept a list of your "Real Time + 70 Years" threads? The ones labeled that way are easy to find, but I remember a few with different additions to the title.

[gogov]

You are of course correct that it should by -70 yet until I saw your post I figured it was 70 years prior.

That said, I found the articles to be extremely interesting, especially the part where the Japanese protest to the comments of the Russian who said the Japanese were attacking like “blood-thirsty mad dogs.”

That was of course putting it extremely mildly given what was later learned of Chinese atrocities against the Chinese.

[gogov]

Thanks so much for posting these. I found them to be fascinating.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Have you kept a list of your "Real Time + 70 Years" threads?

No. I should probably do that on my home page. CougarGA7 said something about keeping monthly lists, but I don't know if he did or not.

[henkster]

Oh come on now! Everyone knows we dropped the bombs on Japan because they were merely defending their culture and way of life! (Extreme sarcasm). Yes, the controversial Smithsonian exhibit was actually going to depict the Japanese as “defending their way of life.” What it wasn’t going to depict was that their “way of life” apparently including subjugating other peoples and massacring them. Like the Chinese at the time.

But times do change, don’t they? I doubt the Chinese have any real fear of this happening today.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I have now bookmarked all my RT+70 posts (I think). So they are listed as links on my profile. The problem is they are in alphabetical order and mixed in with all the other articles I have bookmarked over the years. Maybe there is a way to manipulate the links into related categories.

[Tainan]

Hi Homer - Almost all of the 'news reporting' from this era is complete manufactured horse muffins. The 'reporters' were given an assignment to make Peanut Head look as good as possible to justify US support form his 'efforts' - actually his lack of efforts was more correct.
I heartily recommend the book Stilwell and the American Experience in China 1911-1945 by Barbara W. Tuchman for the most accurate rendering of what was really going on during this period.

It gives explanation for a lot of todays political set-up in the China/Taiwan area.

I live here and its on my desk for constant reference. Its also a very well written book that has stood the scrutiny of time in its accuracy.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I heartily recommend the book Stilwell and the American Experience in China 1911-1945 by Barbara W. Tuchman for the most accurate rendering of what was really going on during this period.

Amazon has it for $13.40. I will order it tomorrow. Thanks for the tip. If I am going to be posting articles for some time to come it is important that I have good sources for info on what was really going on. That helps make the exercise enlightening.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Who is Peanut Head?

[Tainan]

That was General Stilwells 'secret code name' for Chiang Kai-shek. He did not intend for it to an endearing term of affection.
Chiang played everyone against each other to get them, meaning other countries, to fight the war against the Japanese, and later his one-time allies the communists, for him. 'Vinegar Joe', as he was known among his detractors and admirers was none the diplomat in his dealing with Chiang.

[BroJoeK]

"I heartily recommend the book Stilwell and the American Experience in China 1911-1945 by Barbara W. Tuchman for the most accurate rendering of what was really going on during this period.

Amazon has it for $13.40. I will order it tomorrow. Thanks for the tip."

Tuchman's book

Tuchman is one of the best of the best historians. Highly recommended. Check out the reviews on this book! From one:

"Stilwell was generally contemptuous and disrespectful toward those with whom he disagreed (mostly Chiang Kai-Shek). This was a source of irritation to FDR, who felt that Chiang Kai-Shek was a head of state, and ought to be accorded the level of respect due one in that position. Stilwell did not see it that way. He constantly referred to Chiang in his diary as "Peanut," or "Hickory Head." Several times he referred to FDR himself as "Rubber Legs." The Japanese he called "buck-toothed bastards." "

You gotta love that Stilwell. ;-)

[indcons]

To all: please ping me to threads that are relevant to the MilHist list (and/or) please add the keyword "MilHist" to the appropriate thread. Thanks in advance.

Please FREEPMAIL indcons if you want on or off the "Military History (MilHist)" ping list.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

You are of course correct that it should by -70

Based on my unscientific review of posts on this topic, I would say you and Petronski are in the minority on the matter of +/- 70 years. Adding weight to the argument is the fact that the Plus posters also have something insightful or otherwise substantive to say about the events under discussion, whereas Petronski never betrays the slightest understanding or interest in the history of the mid-twentieth century. To put it another way, the smart money is on Real Time Plus 70 Years.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Tuchman is one of the best of the best historians.

Based on her titles she has a lot of depth and breadth. I didn't remember her as author of Guns of August. I do recall being captivated by that book when I read it many years ago. At any rate, Stilwell and the American Experience in China 1911-1945 will now be coming my way.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Almost as notable as these stories, from the Duranty era, is the NYT writer's name: Hugh Byas

[CougarGA7]

This is getting old bud.

[CougarGA7]

I’ve been bookmarking them. I think at the end of the year I might post a thread that has all of Homer’s 1938 links all together like a year in review.

I can send you the links if you want.