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Onkel Willie - Thanks! I wouldn't think there would be too many butterflies, Hitler still launches his Beer Hall Putsch and Germany still remains pretty much the same. However due to the increased number and prominence of Sino-German cooperation there is beginning to emerge a 'geostrategical' school of thought emerging in military and other conservative circles about the need to build up China to 'encircle' the Soviet Union. This is going to have massive ramifications further down the line.

Paul MacQ - Thanks for following Paul, yep I did a bit of research before finding that gem. I was originally planning to have Admiral von Graf Spee but he kinda died so I had to use Canaris.

I don't think Canaris will be needing to advice the Chinese on intelligence matters. If there was one thing that the KMT OTL got right it was on intelligence under Dai Li the "Himmler of the East."

Nivek - Thanks Nivek, the two men are indeed very close and the two have kept up regular correspondence. Chiang got Feng Ru to visit Hitler to give an engraved Chinese sword as a gift.

Sun isn't dead yet. Which is good because when he does things will get a bit interesting...

That's thinking ahead on the plight of the Jews, let's just say that things go a bit differently ITTL...

Domoviye - Thanks, yeah it's a bit stretched to make a movie about Chiang but eh, I can always retcon it for v2 or handwave it to say that the movie director/actor served with Chiang.

Jay - I'll try, but my mapmaker is in the middle of exams at the moment. He (I presume its a he) has promised to make maps as soon as he is finished. V2 of this TL will definitely have maps.

Hendryk - Thanks Hendryk, it is a pity indeed. I'm using the same system as Jonathan Fenby is, using mostly Pinyin but using Wade-Giles when they are better recognized with the name. I can standardize it in V2 if you like.

OKH_1946 - See PaulMcQ's response. Although in theory they *could* start building battleships it would be too expensive in terms of money, steel and the opportunity costs. ITTL most divisions have only 4 light field guns for artillery, having artillery for land forces is a greater priority than building a navy which at this point is only being utilized for tarrif collection and flag flying exercises.

And now without further ado I present:

Chinese Military Modernization in the Early 20's - The Evolution of the National Revolutionary Army

The evolution of the National Revolutionary Army from a motley collection of bandits, students and drifters without much in the way of equipment, discipline and cohesion to a well oiled-machine capable of conquering China is a vast topic with a vast number of academic literature.

This humble author has opted to give a broad overview rather than cover every single minutia of the National Revolutionary Army. It is probably not essential that the casual reader know the evolution of NRA contraceptives. For a complete look at the National Revolutionary Army covering every single possible area I refer readers to the "Chinese National Revolutionary Army 1918-2008" published by Osprey.

The primary architect of this transformation was Chiang Kai-Shek, a revolutionary who studied in Germany just before the outbreak of the Great War and ended the war as a decorated Hauptmann and a German war hero. Chiang's service in the trenches of the Western Front seems to have made an indelible mark on Chiang and this is reflected in the military doctrine that the National Revolutionary followed. Chiang's experience in the trench also led him to pursue several reforms that improved the previously horrendous field conditions of the average Chinese soldier.

To improve the nation, improve the army, to improve the arm, improve the food.
- On War, Chiang Kai-Shek

Chiang's first step upon assuming command of the National Revolutionary Army in 1919 was to improve the living conditions of his men. A system of rudimentary field kitchens and rudimentary field hospitals was established. Although primitive, this step was an important one in ensuring that the fighting quality of National Revolutionary Army troops remained a step above many warlord troops. The fact that Chiang was showing so much concern for his troops also endeared the "Ningbo Napoleon" to many of the common troops. Chiang's insistence that "officers must eat the same food as their men" was also welcomed. In some units the officers decided to supplement the rations of their own men by paying for them.

Give a man a gun and he fight for a day. Train a man how to use a gun and he can fight for a lifetime.
- On War, Chiang Kai-Shek

The second step was to institute regular training exercises. The foundation of the Whampoa Academy provided the KMT regime with professional army core that could train other units. The National Revolutionary Army was reorganized with a 'regular' division (normally consisting of 10,000 men) being constructed around an 'elite' battalion (normally consisting of 1000 men) which could train the 'regular' units up. The National Revolutionary Army would also have elite divisions called "Assault Troopers" that would consist of elite soldiers fighting with the best equipment and superior training.

One must not never a knife to a gun fight.
- On War, Chiang Kai-Shek

The third, and final step to improve the quality of the equipment by ensuring a level of equipment standardization. By 1925 every single soldier in the National Revolutionary Army had a standard set of equipment. If he was in the regular divisions he would have a Type 1 Guangzhou rifle, a pack of rations for 3 days, a canteen, 2 sets of uniform and a Guangzhou gas mask. The standardization of equipment also made the organization of a coherent supply system possible - another way in which the National Revolutionary Army was superior to warlord armies.

One must not regard the Army as a mere military force to be hurled like a blunt rock... the Army is an extension of the Popular Will and must be treated with care and respect.
- On War, Chiang Kai-Shek

The overall effects of these reforms was twofold but led to the same conclusion: they raised the combat effectiveness of the National Revolutionary Army. Morale was high, unlike Warlord troops the National Revolutionary Army did not have to resort to brutal press gangs to field an army. There was an organized system of conscription, the regular wages and prestige that the Army enjoyed also meant that conscription was treated as an honour and a duty rather than an onerous burden. This was reinforced by Kuomintang officials who threw 'heroic service parties' for villagers who had been conscripted where the families received a small monetary gift "From the Generalissimo." With their basic livelihood taken care of (albeit in a spartan way) the soldiers of the National Revolutionary Army had the intellectual and emotional energy to invest themselves in the "Cause for National Liberation." Morale was sky-high with the fed, well-equiped, well-paid (for the standards of China) troops of the National Revolutionary Army in constrast with the shabby troops of many of the warlord armies who were frequently only a step above banditry.

The National Revolutionary Army at the onset of the Second Northern Expedition

Not all National Revolutionary Army divisions were created equal. Chiang's German military training combined with German advice meant that the National Revolutionary Army was divided into two tiers of quality.



An "Assault Trooper" with german made equipment poses for a photo.

The 'elite' troops of the National Revolutionary Army were the "Assault Divisions." These elite divisions were highly trained, highly motivated, well-led and well-equiped. They were equiped with the German made "Broomhandle" Mauser C96 a German machine-pistol fitted with a stock. With a cartridge of 20 and capable of firing in semi-automatic and automatic it gave the Assault Divisions a superior rate of fire. Each squad was also equipped with the excellent Czech made ZB vz 26 light machine gun. They also wore German-made Stalhelm helmets, German-made uniforms and German-made gas masks and had German advisors present. Their training and equipment wrote Ludendorff "are equal to the best of our men." Indeed, they were deliberately modelled after the 100,000 strong Reichswehr of the Weimar Republic. However their numbers were substantially few only consisting of 10 divisions with 6,000 men each (a total of 60,000 men) (see organization table for the complete detail.

Organization of a typical National Revolutionary Army "Assault Division 26" (Combat strenght 6,000 with rear area soldiers 7,000)


Division headquarters troops (1,000 Soldiers):

• 1 Artillery battalion:
  • 3 Artillery companies (12 x 75 light artillery guns in batteries of 4)
  • 1 Anti-aircraft gun company (4 x 20mm anti-aircraft guns)
• 1 Military Engineer Battalion<LI sizset="3" sizcache="0">1 Signal battalion
  • 2 wired communications companies
  • 1 Wireless correspondence platoon
• 1 Transport Battalion
• 1 Special duty Battalion (Special Operations Battalion)
• 1 medical team (usually is a Division hospital)
• 1 Command Team
• 1 Field kitchen company

2 Infantry Brigades (2 x 3,000 soldiers

• 2 Infantry Regiments (2 x 1,500 troops):
• 1 Regimental Headquarters Company (100 men) consisting of
• 6 x 83mm medium mortar company
• 1 communications platoon
• 2 heavy weapon squad with 2 MG 08 Heavy Machine gun
• 1 Command team
• 3 Infantry Battalions (3 x 500 soldiers):
• 1 Command Team (2 x 83mm medium mortar, 2 x MG 08 Heavy Machine Gun)
• 5 infantry companies of (5 x 100 soldiers):
• 1 command team (25 soldiers) (3 x 45 mm light mortar, 1 x MG08 Heavy Machine Gun
• 3 Infantry Platoons (3 x 25 soldiers)
• 1 command team (5 soldiers) (1 x 45 mm light mortar)
• 2 Squads (2 x 10 soldiers) (1 x CZ vs 26 light machine gune, 9 x C96 broomhandle machine pistol.)

Overall, the firepower contained within a single Assault Division was immense. Assault Division troops were also given significant mobility in the form of bicycles and motorcycles. Entry into the "Assault Divisions" was strict, one needed to pass a strict physical course to enter one and one needed to have passed with "Excellent Distinction" (90/100) in the Whampoa Military Academy to serve. Pay was double that of the Regular Divisions, the food however, remained the same.




"Regular" troops conduct early morning drills.

The second tier of the National Revolutionary army were so-called 'regular' troops. These troops were the bread and butter of the National Revolutionary Army consisting of 600,000 troops organized into 60 divisions when the Northern Expedition was launched. They were equiped with Chinese made equipment with the Guangzhou Type 1 Rifle , the Guangzhou Type 1 Light Machine Gun, the Guangzhou gas mask and the Guangzhou Type 1 Light mortar. Their uniform was slightly less flashier than the Assault Troops with a cloth cap instead of a Stalhelm helmet. The Regular Army was bigger than an Assault Division but had less firepower.

Organization of a typical National Revolutionary Army "Regular Division 26" (Combat strenght 10,000 with rear area soldiers 11,000)


Division Headquarters and other rear area troops (1,000 soldiers)

• 1 Artillery company (6 x 75mm field gun)
• 1 Military Engineer Battalion<LI sizset="3" sizcache="0">1 Signal battalion
  • 2 wired communications companies
  • 1 Wireless correspondence platoon
• 1 Transport Battalion
• 1 Special duty Battalion (Special Operations Battalion)
• 1 medical team (usually is a Division hospital)
• 1 Command Team
• 1 field kitchen company
• 1 Military Police Company

3 Infantry Brigades (3 x 3,000 soldiers

• 3 Infantry Regiments (3 x 1,000 troops):
• 1 Regimental Headquarters Company (100 men) consisting of
• 3 x 83mm medium mortar company
• 1 communications platoon
• 2 heavy weapon squad with 2 Guangzhou Heavy Machine Guns
• 1 Command team
• 2 Infantry Battalions (2 x 500 soldiers):
• 1 Command Team (2 x 83mm medium mortar, 1 Guangzhou Heavy Machine Gun)
• 5 infantry companies of (5 x 100 soldiers):
• 1 command team (25 soldiers) (3 x 45 mm light mortar,)
• 3 Infantry Platoons (3 x 25 soldiers)
• 1 command team (5 soldiers) (1 x Guangzhou Type 1 Light Machine Gun)
• 2 Squads (2 x 10 soldiers) (10 x Guangzhou Type 1 Rifle)

1 Assault Regiment (1 x 1000 soldiers)

• 1 Regimental headquarters company
• 2 x 75mm light field gun
• 4 x 83 mm light mortar company
• 4 x 37 mm infantry gun
• 2 Assault Batallions (2 x 500 soldiers)
• 1 Command Team ( 4 x 45mm light mortar,)
• 2 Assault Companies (2 x 250 soldiers)
• 1 Heavy Assault Platoon (50 soldiers):
• 5 Heavy Assault Squads (5 x 10 soldiers) (3 x CZ vs 26 light machine gun, 7 C96 machine pistols)
• 4 Assault Platoons (4 x 50 soldiers)
• 5 Assault Squads (5 x 10 soldiers) (1 x CZ vz 26 light machine gun, 9 x C96 Machine Pistols)

Overall, although the Regular Divisions had less firepower and less mobility (only the Assault Regiment were equipped with bicycles) they were still a formidable and well-equiped fighting force although they were short of artillery pieces.

I hope everyone enjoys the update! Feedback and comments always welcome

Next Update: The National Revolutionary Army in Operation - Field Tactics and Strategy.