Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, May 16 – 22, 1940

May 16, 1940: As war seems to draw closer to the US, President Franklin D. Roosevelt calls for 50,000 planes to be built annually May 17, 1940: US President Franklin … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, May 9 – 15, 1940

May 9, 1940: Japanese Army allocates hundreds of tanks to offensive in China’s Henan and Hubei province May 10, 1940: Just hours after Germany invades the Netherlands, martial law is … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, May 2 – 8, 1940

May 2, 1940: Japan says it pursues a policy of ‘non-involvement’ in the European war May 3, 1940: Japanese forces advancing in China’s Anhui province reportedly met by counteroffensive May … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, April 25 – May 1, 1940

April 25, 1940: Netherlands plans expansion of its fleet in East Indies due to growing tension in Asia April 26, 1940: Aircraft carrier USS Wasp is commissioned April 27, 1940: … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, April 18 – 24, 1940

April 18, 1940: US Senate approves Navy bill foreseeing the acquisition of two 45,000-ton battleships, two cruisers, one aircraft carrier, eight destroyers, six submarines and five auxiliary vessels April 19, … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, April 11 – 17, 1940

April 11, 1940: German invasion of Scandinavia followed intensely by Japan, with Tokyo press calling it the biggest event in the war since Soviet attack on Poland and expecting US … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, April 4 – 10, 1940

April 4, 1940: Japan warns Britain it may take action if Royal Navy seeks to extend blockade of Germany to waters nears its shores, for example shipments arriving at Vladivostok … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, March 28 – April 3, 1940

March 28, 1940: Robert Craigie, London’s ambassador to Tokyo, says Britain and Japan are both maritime powers on the fringes of great continents and share an interest ‘in lasting peace’ … Continue Reading →

A Member of China’s Greatest Generation Passes Away

Taiwan’s former Prime Minister Hau Pei-tsun passed away in Taipei Monday, at the age of 100. Also a former defense minister, Hau played an important role in the post-war development … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, March 21 – 27, 1940

  March 21, 1940: Japanese politicians, aiming to return to traditional values in a time of national crisis amid war in China, call for end to ‘liberalism based on individuality’ … Continue Reading →