Allen Fung on the Sino-Japanese War essays

Allen Fung on the Sino-Japanese War essays Allen Fung provides a persuasive argument for China's defeat against Japan in the Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895). The Sino-Japanese War was an attempt by China to prevent a Japanese stronghold in Korea. Fung's reasoning for China's defeat does not follow the traditional mainstream historian's beliefs. Traditionally, the reasons for China's failure to drive Japan out of Korea were due to China's lack of weaponry and lack of leadership and experience from the Chinese Commanders. Fung attacks the theory of China's lack of weaponry and leadership. Fung focuses on the Battle of Pingrang, the most important battle in the Sino-Japanese War. The Chinese soldiers were well equipped in the battle of Pingrang with the Mauser Breech- loaders and Krupp artillery guns. Even though China may have been equipped at Pingrang, China battalion had different ammunition within the battalions. Using different weaponary within the same battalion is hard for mobilization and coordination of the battalion. Fung uses the the different weaponary within each battalion as one of many reasons the Chinese failed strategically to overcome Japan at Pingrang. After the China defeat at Pingrang, the number of weaponry declined due to Japan crushing the best-equipped Chinese forces. Japan was able to capture the entire Chinese premium weapons used at Pingrang. After the battle of Pingrang the armies lacked even the basic necessities to fight a war. Fung describes the main failure of the Chinese army was the lack of military training that the soldiers had provided to them. China had strong weapons; the main problem was being able to use these weapons efficiently. Throughout the war the Chinese soldiers simply did not contain the knowledge to be able to use the weapons to their advantage. Their artillery skills were awful and it showed during battle. The discipline among the troops was a major issue for the Chinese. Fung builds on the lack of discipline amon...