Soviet Union Breaches in Xinjiang: Conflict and Geopolitics (1937-1945)
In 1937, a paradoxical era of diplomacy unfolded. While a pact was being signed between the Soviet Union and the Republic of China, the Soviets simultaneously engaged in a brazen breach of that very agreement. This tension manifested in the Xinjiang War, a series of military engagements from August to October 1937 that highlighted the fragile nature of international alliances during the lead-up to World War II.
The 1937 Invasion and the Resistance of Ma Hushan
The conflict began when the Soviet Army intervened in Xinjiang to support Sheng Shicai, a puppet Governor aligned with Soviet interests. Opposing this invasion was the 36th Division of the National Revolutionary Army, led by the Kuomintang Muslim general Ma Hushan.
Ma Hushan had maintained communication with Chiang Kai-shek and informed Peter Fleming that support from the central government was expected. However, the sudden outbreak of war against Japan forced Ma Hushan to face the Soviet onslaught without the promised reinforcements. Despite fierce resistance, Ma's forces were eventually overwhelmed by the Soviet use of mustard gas—a chemical weapon that caused severe blistering of the skin and lungs. Following his defeat, Ma Hushan fled to India before returning to China by steamer.
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Strategic Maneuvers and Government Secrecy
Following the conflict, Sheng Shicai invited Soviet forces to establish a garrison in Turfan, strategically located adjacent to Gansu Province. The Republic of China government was fully aware of these troop movements across Xinjiang and Gansu. However, they chose to publicly dismiss these maneuvers as "Japanese propaganda." This deception was a calculated move to avoid a major international incident and to ensure the continued flow of essential military supplies from the Soviet Union.
The Counter-Strategy in the Qaidam Basin
The Chinese government did not remain passive. General Ma Buqing, who controlled the Gansu corridor, was utilized as part of a broader strategic shift. In July 1942, Chiang Kai-shek instructed Ma Buqing to move 30,000 troops to the Tsaidam marsh in the Qaidam Basin of Qinghai. By appointing Ma as the Reclamation Commissioner, Chiang created a military threat to Sheng Shicai's southern flank in Xinjiang.
This maneuver allowed Kuomintang troops from central China to flood into Gansu and infiltrate Soviet-occupied Xinjiang. Through this gradual reclamation, the government eventually forced Sheng Shicai to sever his ties with the Soviet Union.
The Ili Rebellion and Final Confrontations
Instability returned to the region in November 1944 with the outbreak of the Ili Rebellion. The conflict was sparked when Liu Bin-Di, a Kuomintang Muslim officer, was killed while fighting Turkic Uyghur rebels. The Soviet Union supported these Turkic rebels in their fight against the Kuomintang.
To counter this, the Kuomintang government repeatedly ordered General Ma Bufang to march his troops into Xinjiang to intimidate the Soviet-backed Sheng Shicai and protect Chinese settlers. In 1945, during the height of the Ili Rebellion, Ma Bufang and his Muslim Cavalry were dispatched to Ürümqi to defend the city against the Uyghur army advancing from Ili.
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Key Facts
- Timeline: Major conflicts occurred between 1937 and 1945.
- Soviet Tactics: The Soviet Army utilized mustard gas to defeat Ma Hushan's forces in 1937.
- Political Puppetry: Sheng Shicai served as a Soviet-aligned Governor in Xinjiang.
- Strategic Deception: The Republic of China labeled Soviet invasions as "Japanese propaganda" to maintain military supply lines.
- Military Shifts: 30,000 troops were moved to the Qaidam Basin in 1942 to pressure the southern flank of Xinjiang.
| Figure | Affiliation | Primary Role/Action |
|---|---|---|
| Sheng Shicai | Soviet Puppet / Xinjiang Governor | Collaborated with Soviets to maintain control of Xinjiang. |
| Ma Hushan | Kuomintang (36th Division) | Resisted the 1937 Soviet invasion until defeated by chemical weapons. |
| Ma Buqing | Kuomintang / Gansu Corridor | Moved 30,000 troops to Qaidam Basin to threaten Sheng Shicai. |
| Ma Bufang | Kuomintang / Muslim Cavalry | Defended Ürümqi against the Uyghur army in 1945. |
| Chiang Kai-shek | Republic of China Leader | Managed the strategic balance between Soviet supplies and territorial integrity. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Republic of China hide the Soviet invasion from the public?
The government masked the maneuvers as "Japanese propaganda" to prevent a full-scale international incident and to ensure that the Soviet Union continued providing critical military supplies.
What weapon led to the defeat of Ma Hushan's forces?
Ma Hushan's forces eventually succumbed to the Soviet Army's bombardment with mustard gas.
What was the purpose of moving troops to the Qaidam Basin?
Chiang Kai-shek moved 30,000 troops under Ma Buqing to the Tsaidam marsh to threaten the southern flank of Sheng Shicai's territory in Xinjiang.
What triggered the Ili Rebellion in 1944?
The rebellion broke out following the death of Liu Bin-Di, a Kuomintang Muslim officer, during clashes with Turkic Uyghur rebels.
How did the Kuomintang eventually reclaim Xinjiang from Soviet influence?
By moving troops through Gansu and infiltrating the region, the Kuomintang gradually reclaimed territory and pressured Sheng Shicai to break his alliance with the Soviets.