Video: 'Japan on the offensive: The Japanese Invasion of Manchuria'

(Saturday, February 27, 1932) — The Japanese invasion of Manchuria, which began five months ago when the Kwantung Army of the Empire of Japan invaded Manchuria immediately following the Mukden Incident, ended today when Chinese General Chao Ting offered to cease hostilities.

At war’s end in February 1932, the Japanese established the puppet state of Manchukuo, although combat by guerilla and irregular forces continued as Japan spent many years in their campaign to pacify Manchukuo.

Video: 'The Japanese Attack Manchuria 1931'

With the invasion having attracted great international attention, the League of Nations produced the Lytton Commission (headed by British politician Victor Bulwer-Lytton) to evaluate the situation, with the organization delivering its findings in October 1932. The label of the invasion as ethically illegitimate prompted the Japanese government to withdraw from the League entirely.

Japanese occupation of Manchuria lasted until the success of the Soviet Union and Mongolia with the Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation in mid-August 1945.