Sun Dianying

Sun Dianying (Traditional Chinese: 孫殿英; Simplified Chinese: 孙殿英; pinyin: Sūn Diànyīng; Wade-Giles: Sun Tienying; 1889–1948) was one of the minor warlords during the Warlord Era.

Born in 1889 in Yongcheng, Henan, Sun was originally a bandit in the area of Henan Anhui. He gradually extended his influence and power through years. In 1925 Sun joined the National Revolutionary Army. In 1928, he plotted the notorious looting of the Eastern Mausoleum of the Manchu emperors. The tombs desecrated included that of the late Empress Dowager Cixi. Later, with Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xishan, Sun participated in various anti-Chiang Kai-shek movements. In Jehol-Chahar Sun Dianying's army included the writer Duanmu Hongliang.

In 1932-33, when the Japanese forces of the IJA 4th Cavalry and 6th Division in Operation Nekka invaded Jehol/Rehe he commanded the 41st Army in effective opposition to the Japanese in the Battle of Rehe. This slightly rehabilitated his reputation, but he also seized the chance to expand his strength. At the time of the Tanggu Truce, Sun's troops garrisoned the strategic Peiking Suiyuan railroad.

In May 1933, with Feng Yuxiang in Chahar province organizing the Chahar People's Anti-Japanese Army, Sun too advocated opposition to Japan and criticised Chiang Kai-shek's Central government, yet protested his loyalty to Chiang. The national government feared Sun Dianying would cooperate with Feng's Anti-Japanese Army, allowing them to use the railroad to support their forces. However Sun was also not willing to be involved in a conflict with Chiang. He hoped to be involved in northwest development and control a territory of his own there. In mid June, when Chiang ordered Sun's army to leave the railroad garrison and open up wasteland in Qinghai he was willing to go. Chiang's troops replaced them in July, cutting off the Anti-Japanese Army from communication with the rest of China.

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