March 5, 1927
In China, a civil war began, pitting against each other the forces loyal to the Kuomintang government of the Republic of China and forces loyal to the Communist Party of China. Americans there, fearful for their safety, requested protection. The American Commander-in-Chief of the Asiatic fleet transferred some Marines from Guam and the Philippines to China. As conditions became more critical, the 4th Regiment along with the Expeditionary Battalion landed in Shanghai on March 5, 1927, commanded by Brig. Gen. Smedley D. Butler. By April 1927, Marine forces in China stood at 271 officers and 4843 enlisted men. The “China Regiment” was to remain in Shanghai for 15 years. In 1935 Gen. Butler wrote a book, War Is a Racket, describing and criticizing the imperialist motives behind U.S. involvement in wars such as this one.
The 4th Marine Regiment arriving in Shanghai on March 5, 1927.
