What if a missing soldier could spark a war? The Lugou Bridge, also known as Marco Polo Bridge, stands as a silent witness to such an event. On the night of July 7, 1937, this seemingly ordinary bridge became the epicenter of a conflict that changed the course of history. Japanese troops were conducting military exercises near Lugou Bridge. Suddenly, a shot rang out. A Japanese soldier, Private Shimura Kikujiro, went missing. The Japanese demanded entry into the nearby city of Wanping to search for him. The Chinese 29th Route Army refused. Although Private Shimura eventually returned, claiming he’d simply gotten lost, the incident ignited a firestorm. Some historians believe the “missing soldier” was a mere pretext for a planned invasion. The Japanese quickly surrounded Wanping. By the early hours of July 8th, both sides were mobilized. Negotiations failed. More shots were fired, and full-scale fighting erupted at Lugou Bridge. The Chinese 29th Route Army, though poorly equipped, fought valiantly to defend the bridge and Wanping. Colonel Ji Xingwen led a small force of around 100 men, determined to hold their ground. The Marco Polo Bridge incident became a flashpoint. It marked the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War, a brutal conflict that would engulf China for eight long years.
陆家坡7号战台
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