On September 18, 1931, at approximately ten o'clock, Japanese soldiers detonated an explosive on the Southern Manchurian Railway in the area of Liutiaohu. In response, Chinese soldiers retaliated with gunfire, playing perfectly into the hands of a covert Japanese plot to secure their interests in Manchuria. Colonel Itagaki Seishiro and Lieutenant Colonel Kanji Ishiwara planned that day's events and are largely responsible for the fall of Mukden. The conflict that remains is that the explosion occured about twenty-five miles away from the walled city of Mukden. Japanese soldiers came to reinforce their troops, but after settling the conflict in Liutiaohu, they continued North to Mukden where 10,000 Chinese soldiers resided in the military barracks. Attacks on the walled city lasted until 3:40 AM the next day when at that time Japanese soldiers had won control of the city.

The Mukden Incident can be labeled as the beginning of the Pacific War, but much of its history is ambiguous as to who is at fault. Why is one of the more significant conflicts in recent military history such a mystery? More importantly, how did two men without the authority of their government, change the military spectrum of China?

Manchuria sits to the Northeast of China and is important
strategically because it gives Japan a foothold in Asia and
provides a buffer from Russia.

This exhibit was researched and designed by Michael Jenkins.

This exhibit and museum were created during an introductory seminar on the Asia-Pacific War, taught at Wake Forest University during the spring semester 2002.

The material and opinions are those of their respective authors and do not represent the views of the University or the Department of History.

The information and pictures above were provided from these sources.