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    Tsitsihar (Qiqihar, 齐齐哈尔) Heilongjiang Prov Manchuria (Manchukuo) | China

Location
Lat 47° 20′ 0″ N Long 123° 58′ 0″ E  Located in western Manchuria, present day China, south-east of Hailar and northwest of Harbin. In Russian, spelled "Tsintsinhar". A railroad line connects Tsitsihar to both Hailar and Harbin.

Wartime History
During 1931 - 1945 the city was an important base for the Kwantung Army. During 1939, based the 7th Division, which was a strategic reserve force. Also, a detachment from the Manchukuoan Army's Chingan Division (one regiment of infantry, cavalry and artillery).

During 1939, the 7th Division underwent their advanced infantry training near Tsitsihar. To form its 26th Infantry Regiment (Motorized), roughly 200 civilian vehicles and drivers were commandeered in Tsitsihar and during late June, this unit proceeded to Chianghunmiao to participated in the July offensive at Khalkhin Gol (Nomonhan Incident).

Later Unit 516 (Tsūshōgō Unit) was establised to research chemical warfare. At the end of the war, they buried chemical weapons. During August 2003, an unknown mustard gas tank buried was ruptured at a construction site, causing 43 injuries and one death.

Tsitsihar Airfield (Tsintsinhar Airfield)
Wartime airfield used by JAAF

Yamentun Airfield
Located near Tsintsinhar

References
Nomonhan Japanese-Soviet Tactical Combat, 1939 pages 6 (Map 9), 20

Nomonhan page 263, 374
Japanese Studies on Manchuria: Volume XI Part 3 Book B, page 181, 183
China Daily "Mustard Gas Victims Prepare Case Against Japan" June 28, 2004
The Guardian "Diplomatic row over poison gas" August 13, 2003

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Last Updated
October 23, 2019

 

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