World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseZhang Haipeng (sometimes Chang Hai-peng) was a general in the Chinese Northeastern Army under warlord of Manchuria Zhang Xueliang. Initially, he led the 2nd Provincial Defense Brigade against the Japanese invasion that followed the Mukden Incident of 18 Sep 1931. He was approached by the Japanese in secret, promising large caches of military supplies if he was to turn his back on the Chinese. Persuaded, he took command of all defenses at the city of Taonan, China and declared independence from China. Shortly after, he led the Hsingan Reclamation Army and attacked General Ma Zhanshan's Chinese forces in Heilongjiang Province, China. Zhang's forces enjoyed early advantages over Ma's forces, but was ultimately routed near Ma's capital, Qiqihar. After the Japanese established the puppet nation of Manchukuo in northeastern China, Zhang joined Manchukuo along with his army, now renamed the Taoliao Army. In Feb 1933, he led Manchukuo forces during the First Battle of Hebei against his former comrades of the Chinese Northeastern Army in Rehe Province, China. In 1934, he served in Manchukuo as the commanding officer of the Rehe Guard Army. After 1934, he commanded the 5th District Army.

Zhang Haipeng Timeline