Shadowlands:March 20,1926-August 20, 1926

[Jerry Asher]

Due to my ignorance I call this time frame Shadowlands--the time Jiang's planning for his "Northern Expedition," Please feel free to comment, correct details, make observations. Some time after March 20, the Guangxi leaders agreed to operate as the 7th Corps of the National Revolutionary Army, by end of month they are official. By April 16th strategic planning is under way involving Jiang and two other generals. Guangxi leaders convince Jiang to send 2,000 men into Hunan province to make ally of Hunan warlords, Are these NRA troops or 7th Corps? By late May a plan is complete calling for a three prong drive with Changsha, Nanchang and Hangzhou the objectives of the 1st bound, Shanghai the strategic goal, with the drive to Nanchang being the main thrust. As things develop in Hunan, it becomes the only prong when plan "finalized" on June 23rd.The Hunanese being recognized as the 8th Corps on July 1st. They take Changsha by July 10th/11th Unsure of the 8th loyalties, Jiang recognizes the 9th and 10th Corps to the west of the 8th on July 20th, strategic goal is switched to Wuhan as ist bound with Beijing as strategic goal. Reticent Jiang does not fully embrace this Wuhan centered drive until first week in August when he reaches Hangyang and foregoes Nanchang operation. The overall plan discussed at Changsha on August 11th between Jiang and Corps commanders then is the June 23rd plan one major thrust through Hunan province. Am very open to questions, thought and sharing.