Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Aug 8 – 14, 1940

Aug 8, 1940: 126 Japanese lawmakers call for ouster of British Empire from East Asia

Aug 9, 1940: Britain, under immense strain from war with Germany, withdraws troops from Shanghai

Aug 10, 1940: United States says it will keep its troops in China despite British withdrawal.

Aug 11, 1940: Growing Soviet naval presence in Pacific triggers concern in the United States of red menace to Alaska

Aug 12, 1940: Retired Admiral Yates Stirling argues the US Navy must stay focused on threats in the Pacific even if Atlantic becomes theater of war.

Aug 13, 1940: Admiral Thomas C. Hart, commander in chief Asiatic Fleet, travels from Qingdao to Shanghai on board submarine Porpoise, the first officer in his position to make passage in this manner.

Aug 14, 1940: British Army strengthens defense of Burma’s eastern frontier amid fears of Japanese advances in neighboring China

Categories: War

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