Battle in Shanghai recalls on Its 78th anniversary

Shanghai Songhu Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall reopens on Thursday, August 13, 2015, after one year-long preparations. The memorial hall displays nearly one thousand items and photos to the public for the very first time. [Photo: Xinhua]

Today marks the 78th anniversary of the Battle of Songhu, also known as the Battle of Shanghai.

In marking the occasion, a memorial hall reopened today in Shanghai, displaying nearly one thousand items and photos to the public for the very first time.

It is one of the bloodiest battles during China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

The shooting death of a Japanese navy officer near Hongqiao Airport on August 13th, 1937, by members of the Chinese Peace Preservation Corps, triggered a three-month-long battle.

Japan sent in 300,000 reinforcements in September and October, and on the Chinese side more than 70 divisions were involved at one time or another in the battle.

Zhang Yun, is the director of the Shanghai Society for the History of the Communist Party of China.

"Various social groups were mobilized, and an unprecedented number of people were united, so it was a historic battle of national salvation fought jointly by the Shanghai people and the army at the Songhu front."

The Chinese troops held their ground until November, when they pulled out to prevent further casualties.

Shanghai fell on Nov. 11.

Zhang Yun adds the outbreak of the Battle of Songhu lifted the curtain on Asia's main field of World War II.

"The Battle holds an important historical status; it enhanced the Chinese people's confidence in victory and their determination in fighting the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression."