World Battlefronts: BATTLE OF ASIA: So Sorry

Since the 13th-Century reign of Genghis Khan, the Mongols of northern China have been a proud, fierce people. They have fought Chinese and Japanese with equal stubbornness. Just as stubbornly they have fought among themselves. Outer Mongolia fell under Soviet influence; then Inner Mongolia, stretching north from China's Great Wall to the Gobi, became the Japanese puppet state of Meng-Chiang.

The Japanese gave Mongolian nationalists a high-sounding Mongolian United Autonomous Government. They introduced a "planned economy" to exploit herdsmen and coolies, to loot mines and resources. The arrangement was eminently pleasing to the Japanese. Not only did they drain Inner...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!