Study On Ladybird Incident

This article concentrate on a conflict between Britain and Japan in early stage of Sino-Japanese War——The Royal Navy Ship Ladybird H.M.S.was attacked in Yangtze River by Japanese army.On December 12,1937,Ladybird H.M.S.was sailing in Yangtze River.Some officers from British embassy in Nanking and British people were on board.It was attacked by Japanese army gunboat several times near Wuhu safety zone which set up by Japanese army.The Ladybird H.M.S.was damaged and people on board were injured.The US ship Panay was also attacked and sunk.There were several historical backgrounds of Ladybird Incident.the decline of Britain and Britain was stuck in the Europe,cannot spare efforts in the Far East;Japan has an ambition to occupy China and the divergence in foreign policy between the army and government.Britain and US had failed cooperation in far east resulted distrust between them,the suspicion between Britain and US weak the foundation for them to cooperate each other.Sino-Japan conflict near Shanghai and the strategy of Japanese army moving forward Nanking.The Japanese were stuck in Shanghai for several months,they were eager to beat Chinese army.They chased Chinese army and surrounded Nanking in all directions.Chinese army retreated from Nanking by ship,and Japanese army took British gunboat as Chinese army by mistake.British ambassador in China was attacked by Japanese areoplane near Shanghai.The relationship between Japan and Britain got worse.In the negotiation to solve Ladybird Incident,Japan and Britain quarreled for several months.Japanese government apologized for the mistake to British government,but refused to take full responsibility.The British government required Japanese government to punish those who was responsible for the attack and to assure avoid incident reoccur.About 15 days later,Japanese government submited the report.They denied to take responsibility.The British government had to compromise.After a long procedure,the Japanese government compensated for British loss.The Japanese government was arrogant.ln contrast to Ladybird Incident,the Panay Incident was solved quickly.The third part concentrates on negotiation between Britain and Japan;the tactics of Britain negotiation with Japan;Britain and US’s joint action.Britain is uncapable to cope with Japan alone in the Far East.Britain tries his best to connect with US,and want to associate with US.Japan took a successful differentiation policy,Britain and US failed in cooperation,so they missed the opportunity to retaliate Japan.Navy Staff’s conversation between Britain and US gave them an opportunity to cooperate and at the same time to prepare for the Pacific War.