Podcasts about proposal b

  Last time we spoke about the Xi'an Incident. In December 1936, tensions in China erupted as Nationalist General Chiang Kai-shek faced a revolt led by his commanders, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng. Disillusioned by Chiang's focus on battling communists instead of the Japanese invaders, the generals swiftly captured him in a coup. Confined in Xi'an, Chiang initially resisted their demands for a united front against Japan but eventually engaged in negotiation with Zhang and the Chinese Communist Party. As public sentiment shifted against him, Chiang's predicament led to urgent discussions, culminating in an unexpected alliance with the communists. This pact aimed to consolidate Chinese resistance against Japanese aggression, marking a critical turning point in the Second Sino-Japanese War. By December 26, Chiang was released, and this uneasy collaboration set the stage for a more unified front against a common enemy, though underlying tensions remained between the factions.   #152 China Prepares for War Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Before we jump into the Second Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945, which I honestly have no idea how long will take us, I thought it would be a good idea to dedicate two episodes to how both China and Japan prepared themselves for war.  Going all the way back to the 1910s, Chinese intellectuals began to view an outright conflict between Japan and China was inevitable. In the discussions about China's strategic options, Jiang Fangzhen pioneered a strategy of protracted warfare, a concept that would later shape China's approach during the Sino-Japanese War. Having studied in Japan during his youth, Jiang developed a keen understanding of the Japanese government and military. As early as 1917, he predicted that China and Japan would become embroiled in a long-term conflict, with the battleground likely to be west of the Peiping–Wuhan and Guangzhou–Wuhan railways. In his work titled "Guofang Lun" or “On National Defense”, Jiang reiterated the importance of protracted warfare as a means to thwart Japan's aspirations for a swift victory. He argued that China should leverage its vast population and extensive territory to extend the conflict, gradually wearing down Japanese strength and turning the situation to its advantage. Jiang recommended that China not focus on defending its coastal regions but instead confront the enemy west of the Peking–Wuhan Railway.   Chiang Kai-shek would eventually come to share Jiang's belief that “the longer the war drags on, the more advantageous it will be for China.” Despite significant public criticism, both the Nationalist government and General Zhang Xueliang, decided against military resistance when Japan invaded Manchuria in September 1931 and attacked Shanghai in 1932. Chiang was particularly hesitant to engage Japan directly, as he was also dealing with a Communist insurgency in central China. He feared that Chinese forces would suffer quick defeat, predicting that Japan would capture key coastal areas and critical infrastructure within just three days, crippling China by dismantling its military and economic lifelines. Following the invasion of North China Chiang was forced to adopt a firmer stance. The Nationalist government proposed a dual strategy of pursuing peace and security while simultaneously preparing for war. If peace proved impossible, China would mobilize its resources for ultimate victory through prolonged conflict. This approach was formalized in the National Defense Plan, which China adopted by prioritizing protracted warfare as its core strategy. After the Sino-Japanese clash in Shanghai on January 28, 1932, the Military Affairs Commission devised a plan that divided China into four defense areas along with a preparation area. While some troops were assigned local security, commanders were directed to concentrate their remaining forces for potential confrontations with Japan. That year, the Military Affairs Commission issued General Defense Guidelines that outlined two strategic responses to a potential Japanese invasion. The first, conservative approach focused on maintaining key positions and utilizing protracted warfare to impede the enemy. The second strategy advocated for decisive battles in key regions to thwart Japan's ambitions and protect China's territorial integrity, prioritizing disengagement from Japanese forces along the Yangtze River and coastline. In August 1935, German military adviser General Alexander von Falkenhausen provided recommendations to Chiang Kai-shek based on his predictions of Japanese advance routes into China. He identified three main routes: one from northern Hebei to Zhengzhou, the second from Shandong toward Xuzhou, and the third crossing the Yangtze River to Nanjing and onwards to Wuhan. He suggested treating the Yangtze River as the primary combat zone and highlighted Sichuan as a possible retreat area. Taking all of this into consideration. in 1936, a draft of a new National Defense Plan divided the country into four zones: a war zone, a defense zone, an internal security zone, and a preparation area. The war zone encompassed ten provinces and established strategies for retreating to predetermined defensive positions when necessary, with Sichuan designated as the main base for the war. In January 1937, the Chinese General Staff Department introduced its annual War Plan, outlining three possible military conflict regions between China and Japan. It proposed two main strategies: Proposal A emphasized sustained combat and retreat to fortified positions if the situation became unfavorable, aiming to eventually go on the offensive against Japan. Proposal B focused on repelling Japanese invasions along the coast and from the north, prioritizing counter offensives against Japanese units stationed near key locations. To prepare, the NRA completed several critical projects outlined in its plans, establishing military supply depots in Nanjing, Bengbu, Xinyang, Huayin, Nanchang, and Wuchang to manage logistics for supplies across various strategic railways. These depots were equipped to sustain the military, with ample ammunition and provisions, including 60 million rounds of small-arms ammunition and food for hundreds of thousands. Despite these preparations, not all projects were completed by the time war broke out in July 1937. In contrast to the Japanese military's tactics, Chinese forces prioritized defensive strategies. For example, at the Mount Lushan Military Officer Training Camp in July 1934, Chiang Kai-shek outlined four possible approaches against Japan, favoring a defense-as-offense strategy. Other options included building fortifications, tenaciously defending key positions, and employing guerrilla warfare through irregular forces to constrain enemy advances. Chiang stressed the importance of national mobilization for the war effort.  There was a significant disparity in equipment between the Japanese and Chinese armies. To give you an idea, each Japanese division included a mechanized group featuring thirty-nine light military vehicles and 21 light armored cars, supplemented by 6,000–7,000 horses, 200–300 automobiles, and specialized troops such as poison gas teams. In contrast, Nationalist divisions lacked any of these capabilities, a typical nationalist division theoretically had an armored regiment, but this unit was equipped with fewer than 72 armored vehicles. Another major weakness of the Nationalist forces was their insufficient artillery. In 1936, a division was officially assigned one artillery battalion, which was divided into three batteries totaling twelve guns. It also included a mechanized cannon company with four direct-fire weapons. By comparison, a Japanese division boasted four infantry regiments and one mountain artillery or field artillery regiment, with each artillery regiment comprising three field artillery battalions and one howitzer battalion. The infantry regiment itself included a mountain artillery section with four mountain guns, while the infantry battalion had one Type 70 mountain gun section with two guns. In total, a Japanese division possessed sixty-four artillery pieces of various calibers, four times the number of a Chinese division and of significantly higher quality. In reality, in 1936, twelve of the twenty elite Chinese “reformed divisions” still lacked artillery battalions. The ordnance available in the “reformed divisions” mostly consisted of the outdated Type 60 mountain gun. Nationwide, very few of the 200 divisions were equipped with any artillery, and those that did often used obsolete field artillery pieces or mountain artillery provided to local forces. Some units even relied on trench mortars as a makeshift solution. The artillery weapons came from various countries, but they frequently lacked necessary observation and signal components, and were often low on ammunition. The majority of mountain guns and field artillery were of the Type 75, which, while capable of providing fire support, had limited range and inflicted minimal damage. To give you an idea of the striking inadequacy of the Chinese artillery, during the Shanghai fighting in 1937, the mountain artillery of the Guangxi 21st Army Group could only reach targets within 1,200 yards, while Japanese field artillery had an effective range of 8,000 yards. Chinese-made mountain artillery suffered due to inferior steel-making technology; the gun shields were constructed from low-quality steel, and the barrels often overheated after firing just a few rounds, increasing the risk of explosions. Additionally, the equipment of local forces varied greatly in quality. In fact, some local units had superior equipment compared to Nationalist units. For example, before the Sino-Japanese War, troops from Yunnan were equipped with French antitank guns and heavy machine guns, which were better than the German water-cooled machine guns used by the Nationalist forces. However, the majority of local troops relied on inferior equipment; the 122nd Division under Wang Mingzhang from Sichuan, noted for its brave defense of Tengxian County during the Xuzhou Battle, was armed with locally produced light and heavy machine guns that frequently malfunctioned, and their Type 79 rifles, also made in Sichuan, were often outdated, with some dating back to the Qing Dynasty. These weapons had limited range and sometimes malfunctioned after fewer than one hundred rounds. Now before the war, both Nationalist and local forces acquired weaponry from diverse foreign and domestic sources. Even domestically produced weapons lacked standardization, with those made in Hanyang and Manchuria differing in design and specifications. Arms manufactured in Germany, France, Russia, Japan, and Italy were similarly inconsistent. Consequently, even within a single unit, the lack of uniformity created significant logistical challenges, undermining combat effectiveness, particularly in the early stages of the war. Despite Nationalist ordnance factories producing over three million rounds of small-arms ammunition daily, the incompatibility of ammunition and weapons diminished the usable quantity of ammunition. Chinese communications infrastructure was inadequate. In the Nationalist army, signal units were integrated into engineering units, leading to low-quality radio communications. In emergencies, telegrams could remain undelivered for days, and orders often had to be dispatched via postal services. By 1937, the entire country boasted only 3,000 military vehicles, necessitating heavy reliance on horses and mules for transport. To effectively equip twenty Nationalist divisions, 10,647 horses and 20,688 mules were needed, but by the end of 1935, only 6,206 horses and 4,351 mules were available. A statistic from 1936 indicated a 5 percent mortality rate among military horses, with some units experiencing a rate as high as 10 percent. The distribution of weaponry led to disputes during army reorganization efforts following the Northern Expedition. Although Chiang Kai-shek's forces were part of the regular army, the quality of their equipment varied significantly. Domestic production of weapons was limited, and imports could not close the gap. Priority was given to small arms; through army reorganization, Chiang aimed to diminish the influence of forces less loyal to him. Nationalist army staff officers observed that troops loyal to Chiang received the best weapons. Northwest and Northeast forces, having cultivated good relations with the KMT, were similarly better equipped, while Shanxi troops received inferior supplies. Troops associated with the Guangxi Clique were given even poorer quality weapons due to their leaders' stronger political ambitions. Troops regarded as “bandit forces,” such as those led by Shi Yousan, Li Hongchang, and Sun Dianying, were naturally assigned the least effective weaponry. This unequal distribution of arms increased some local forces' inclination to align with the KMT while alienating others, which inadvertently led to additional turmoil in the aftermath of the Northern Expedition. Logistical accounting within the Nationalist military was severely lacking. Military expenditures accounted for a significant portion of government spending, roughly 65.48 % in 1937, with personnel costs being the largest component. However, military units prioritized boosting their own resources over accurate accounting. Surpluses were not returned but rather utilized to reward military officers and soldiers for merits in battle, care for the wounded, or to create a reserve. Conversely, if deficits arose, troops would resort to “living off vacancies,” a practice in which they would fail to report desertions promptly and would falsely claim new soldiers had arrived. Military leaders typically appointed their most trusted subordinates to serve as accountants and logistic officers. As the war commenced, these issues became readily apparent. During the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, frontline soldiers sometimes went days without food and went months without pay. Wounded soldiers and civilians had to search tirelessly for medical treatment, and when main forces relocated, they often abandoned grain, ammunition, weapons, and petroleum along the way. General Chen Cheng, the commander in chief during the Battle of Shanghai, noted, “This phenomenon clearly revealed our inability to supply frontline troops, indicating that China remains a backward country with poor management.” Many logistical shortcomings severely impacted troop morale and combat effectiveness. In a 1933 speech, Chiang Kai-shek acknowledged that poor food, inadequate clothing, and ineffective logistics contributed to widespread desertion. Soldiers were further demoralized by reduced or embezzled salaries. A lack of professional medical staff and equipment hampered healthcare efforts, leading to high disease and mortality rates. According to official statistics from 1936, approximately 10 percent of soldiers fell ill annually, with a mortality rate as high as 5 percent. Japanese military authorities reported that one in three wounded Japanese soldiers died, while a Dutch military officer present during the early stages of the Sino-Japanese War observed that one in every two wounded Nationalist soldiers perished. Due to inadequate equipment and limited transport options, Nationalist forces were compelled to recruit farmers and rent vehicles, as they lacked essential facilities such as tents. This reliance on local resources inevitably led to frequent conflicts between military personnel and civilians. China is clearly a vast nation with an extensive coastline, requiring the construction of several significant fortresses during the modern era. These included Wusong, Jiangyin, Zhenjiang, Jiangning, and Wuhan along the Yangtze River, as well as Zhenhai, Humen, and Changzhou along the seacoast. Except for the Wuhan fortress, built in 1929-1930, all other fortifications were established during the late Qing Dynasty and featured uncovered cannon batteries. These fortresses suffered from inadequate maintenance, and many of their components had become outdated and irreplaceable, rendering them militarily negligible. Following the January 1932 Shanghai Incident, the Japanese military destroyed the Wusong forts, leaving the entrance to the Yangtze River completely unfortified. Consequently, there were no defenses along the coastline from Jiangsu to Shandong, allowing the Japanese to land freely. In December 1932, the Military Affairs Commission established a fortress group tasked with constructing fortresses and defensive installations, seeking assistance from German military advisers. After the North China Incident in 1935, the Nationalist government accelerated the construction of defensive structures in line with national war planning, focusing particularly on Nanjing. The Nationalists prioritized building fortifications along the seacoast and the Yellow River, followed by key regions north of the Yellow River. The government also ordered a significant quantity of heavy artillery from Germany. This included several dozen pieces of flat-fire antiaircraft and dual-purpose heavy artillery, which were installed at fortifications in Jiangyin, Zhenjiang, Nanjing, and Wuhan. By the summer of 1937, the construction of nine fortified positions was complete: Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Jiangyin, Ningbo, Humen, Mawei, Xiamen , Nantong, and Lianyungang. In total, China had established 41 forts and equipped them with 273 fortress cannons. Some defensive installations were poorly managed, with many units assigned to their perimeters lacking training and access to proper maps. The barbette positions in the fortresses were not well concealed and could hardly store sufficient ammunition. Troops stationed at these fortresses received little training. Despite these shortcomings, the fortresses and fortifications were not entirely ineffective. They bolstered Chinese positions along the defense line stretching from Cangxian County to Baoding and from Dexian County to Shijiazhuang, as well as in southern Shandong.  Before the war, China's political and economic center was situated along the seacoast and the Yangtze River. As Japanese influence expanded, the Nationalist government was compelled to establish bases in China's inner regions, very similar to how the USSR pulled back its industry further west after Operation barbarossa.The Japanese attack on Shanghai in 1932 prompted the Nationalists to relocate their capital to Luoyang. On March 5, during the Second Plenary Session of the KMT's Fourth Congress, the Western Capital Preparation Committee was formed to plan for the potential relocation of all governmental bodies to Xi'an in the event of full-scale war. In February 1933, the Central Political Conference approved the Northwest Development Bill, and in February 1934, the National Economic Commission set up a northwestern branch to oversee development projects in the region. On October 18, 1934, Chiang Kai-shek traveled to Lanzhou, recording in his diary that “Northwest China has abundant resources. Japan and Russia are poised to bully us. Yet, if we strengthen ourselves and develop northwest China to the fullest extent, we can turn it into a base for China's revival.” Interestingly, it was Sichuan, rather than the northwest, that became China's rear base during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War. In October 1934, the Communist army evacuated its Soviet base in southern China, initiating the Long March that would ultimately end in the northwest. By this time, Chiang Kai-shek had decided to designate Sichuan as the last stronghold for China. In January 1935, the Nanchang Field Headquarters of the Military Affairs Commission, responsible for combatting the Communists and serving as the supreme military and political authority over most provinces along the Yangtze River and central China, dispatched a special advisory group to Chongqing. Following this, the Nationalist army advanced into Sichuan. On February 10, the Nationalists appointed a new provincial government in Sichuan, effectively ending the province's long-standing regionalism. On March 2, Chiang traveled to Chongqing, where he delivered a speech underscoring that “Sichuan should serve as the base for China's revival.” He stated that he was in Sichuan to oversee efforts against the Communist army and to unify the provincial administration.  After the Xinhai revolution, the Republic of China was still suing the Qing Dynasty's conscription system. However, once in power, the Nationalist government sought to establish a national military service program. In 1933, it enacted a military service law, which began implementation in 1936. This law categorized military service into two branches: service in the Nationalist army and in territorial citizen army units. Men aged eighteen to forty-five were expected to serve in the territorial units if they did not enlist in the Nationalist army. The territorial service was structured into three phases: active service lasting two to three years, first reserves for six years, and second reserves until the age of forty-five. The Ministry of Military Affairs divided China into sixty divisional conscription headquarters, initially establishing these headquarters in the six provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, and Hubei. By December 1936, approximately 50,000 new soldiers had been drafted. The military service law disproportionately favored the middle and upper classes. Government personnel were exempt from enlistment, allowing privileged families to register their children with government agencies. Similarly, students in middle and higher education were excused from service, while youth from poorer backgrounds often felt compelled to enlist due to financial constraints that limited their educational opportunities. Village and town leaders were responsible for executing the recruitment process and frequently conspired with army recruiters. Recruitment principles often favored wealthier families, with guidelines stating that one son should be drafted for every three sons, two for five sons, but no drafts if there was only one son. Wealthy families could secure exemptions for all their male children, while poor families might see their only son conscripted if they were unable to provide the requisite bribe. Town and village heads wielded significant power in recruitment. This new recruitment system also created numerous money-making opportunities. Military personnel assigned to escort draftees to their units would often allow draftees to escape for a fee. Additionally, draftees could monetize their service by agreeing to serve as substitutes for others. For some, being drafted became an occupation. For example, in 1936, 600 individuals were drafted in the Wuhu area of Anhui province, and accounts from regional administrators indicated that every draftee had either been traded, replaced, or seized. Beginning in 1929, the Nationalist government also instituted military training for high school students and older individuals. Students were required to participate in one theoretical class and one practical class each week, totaling three hours. Starting in 1934, students had to complete a three-month military training program before graduating. Graduates of military academies were employed as military instructors. By the end of 1936, over 237,000 high school students had undergone military training. This student military training was overseen by the Society for the Implementation of the Three People's Principles of Sun Yat-sen, which also provided political education and sometimes gathered information on students' political beliefs.  Although the Nationalists made significant efforts to improve the military training of both officers and troops, they inherited deep-seated challenges that they were unable to completely overcome. A lack of facilities, outdated training manuals, low regard for military instructors, and the ongoing influence of regionalism and warlordism hindered progress. The Japanese would also later exploit these shortcomings of the Nationalist army. The Central Military Academy, which evolved from the Whampoa Military Academy established in 1923 in Guangzhou to train officers for the Northern Expedition, became the primary training institution for junior military officers. The academy offered a basic course, lasting eighteen months, which included general education, specialized training in various subjects, and field practice. This was followed by a two-year cadet training program focused on developing the skills necessary for junior military officers. Seventeen classes were admitted before the outbreak of war. Admission to the academy was highly competitive, with military officers receiving attractive salaries. For instance, in 1935, the academy received 10,000 applications for the twelfth class, but only 7% were accepted. Upon graduation, cadets were typically assigned to divisions within the Nationalist army loyal to Chiang Kai-shek. Their training, influenced by German advisors, resulted in a high-quality cadre. In modern China, most sergeants were veterans. While some units provided training for sergeants, a lack of formal education led to their diminished status. Truly qualified sergeants were rare. During his tenure as Minister of Military Training, General Bai Chongxi proposed establishing a sergeant school and creating a professional noncommissioned officer system; however, the Ministry of Military Affairs opposed this on financial grounds. While commanding officers enjoyed rapid promotions, military instructors did not. Furthermore, there was no system for transferring instructors to field commands or assigning commanders to military academies for extended periods. Despite minor updates to cover modern warfare concepts such as tank warfare and machine guns, Qing Dynasty military manuals were still in use at the Central Military Academy at the start of the war. Yeah, 1937 they were still rocking the old Qing books. Following the establishment of the Ministry of Military Training, a bureau for military translation was set up to evaluate existing course materials and translate military manuals, but its contributions were limited. Another significant shortcoming of military instruction focused on theory at the expense of practical application.  To enhance the quality of military officers, the Nationalist army instituted specialized schools for artillery, infantry, transport, engineering, and signals starting in 1931. These institutions were considered to have high-quality administrators and facilities. The Nationalists adopted German military training models, replacing the previously used Japanese models. They appointed German advisors to oversee instructor training at military academies and established three instructional divisions. By the onset of the Sino-Japanese War, 15,000 students had graduated from programs with a German military influence, resulting in the creation of about fifty combat divisions from these instructional units. However, the progress of other Nationalist army units was limited because their training was not aligned with contemporary battlefield realities. Before World War I, troops operated in close formations due to limited firepower. The widespread introduction of machine guns after World War I necessitated a shift to dispersed formations. Although a new drill manual issued by the Ministry of Military Training in 1935 introduced small-group tactics, few units adopted these methods. General Chen Cheng highlighted another underlying issue in 1938, commenting on the outmoded focus on parade ground drills and formal military manners. He noted, “We have paid too much attention to stereotypical formality and procedures of no practical use. Sometimes, even though soldiers could not get a haircut or take a bath for several months, their camps had to be in order. They underwent intensive training in close-order drill but learned little about gun handling, marksmanship, or maneuvering. This was inappropriate in peacetime, yet we continued this practice even after the Sino-Japanese War started, even using it on highly educated youth.” In contrast, the Communist army simplified training, emphasizing two essential skills: live-fire exercises and physical endurance, which significantly enhanced troop effectiveness in the challenging terrain characteristic of the Sino-Japanese War. Ultimately, the Nationalist army's training did not reach all soldiers. Only about half of all combat soldiers received adequate training, while the rest were neglected. According to statistics from the time, there were approximately five million military personnel during the Sino-Japanese War, with three million serving in logistics. Most of these logistics personnel had received little training, leading to disastrous consequences for overall combat effectiveness. As warfare has become more complex, the role of highly trained staff officers has become increasingly important. Napoleon developed operational plans close to the front and communicated orders via courier. During World War I, military commanders collected information at their headquarters and utilized telephones and automobiles to relay orders to the front lines. In World War II, with the battlefield expanding to include land, sea, and air, senior commanders often made decisions from headquarters far from the action, relying on a significant number of staff officers with specialized skills to keep them informed. In China, however, the staff officer system was underdeveloped. By 1937, only about 2,000 commanders and staff officers had received training. Prior to the Sino-Japanese War, most commanders managed staff work themselves, with staff officers serving primarily as military secretaries who drafted orders, reports, and maps. Many staff officers had no formal military training, and as a whole, the branch lacked respect, causing the most talented officers to avoid serving in it. The situation was even more dire for staff officer departments within local forces. For example, in March 1937, Liu Ziqing, a graduate of the Whampoa Military Academy, was appointed as the director of political instruction in the Forty-fourth Army, a unit under Sichuan warlord Liu Xiang. Liu Ziqing's account illustrates the dysfunction within the ranks: “The commander in chief was not supposed to manage the army and even did not know its whereabouts... But he could appoint relatives and former subordinates—who were officials and businessmen as well—to the army. Each month they would receive a small stipend. At headquarters, there was a long table and two rows of chairs. Around ten o'clock in the morning, senior officers signed in to indicate their presence. Those with other business would leave, while the remaining officers sat down to leisurely discuss star actresses, fortune-telling, business projects, mah-jongg, and opium. Occasionally they would touch on national affairs, chat about news articles, or share local gossip. In the afternoons, they primarily played mah-jongg, held banquets, and visited madams. Most mornings, the commander usually presided over these activities, and at first, I reported for duty as well. But I soon realized it was a waste of time and came very rarely. At headquarters, most staff members wore long gowns or Western-style suits, while military uniforms were a rare sight.” Most senior military personnel were trained at the Baoding Military Academy during the early republic. 2/3rds of commanders in chief, 37 %of army commanders, and 20 % of division commanders were Baoding graduates. Higher-ranking officers were more likely to have launched their careers there. In contrast, only 10 % of division commanders and a few army commanders were graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy. Additionally, commanders trained in local military schools and those with combat experience accounted for 1/3rd of all commanders. While the prevalence of civil war provided opportunities for rapid promotion, it also hindered officers' ability to update their training or gain experience in different military branches. German advisors expressed their concerns to Chiang Kai-shek, emphasizing that officers should first serve in junior roles before taking command. During one battle in 1938, Chiang noted, “Our commanders in chief are equivalent only to our enemy's regiment commanders, and our army and division commanders are only as competent as our enemy's battalion and company commanders.” Despite not viewing high-ranking Japanese officers as great strategists, Nationalist officers respected them as highly competent, diligent, and professional commanders who rarely made critical errors. The infantry was the primary component of the Nationalist army, with middle and junior infantry officers constituting over 80 %of all army officers. A 1936 registry of military officers listed 1,105 colonels and 2,159 lieutenant colonels within the infantry, demonstrating a significant outnumbering of Baoding graduates at ranks below lieutenant colonel. However, the quality of middle and junior infantry officers declined during the Sino-Japanese War; by 1944, only 27.3 % of these officers were from formal military academies, while those promoted from the ranks increased to 28.1 %. In 1937, 80 % of officers in an ordinary infantry battalion were military academy graduates, but this percentage dropped to 20 % during the war. Its hard to tell how educated soldiers were before the war, but it is generally believed that most were illiterate. In 1929, sociologist Tao Menghe surveyed 946 soldiers from a Shanxi garrison brigade and found that only 13 percent could compose a letter independently, while the rest had either never learned to read or were unable to write. In contrast, in August 1938, General Feng Yuxiang found that 80 percent of a regiment in Hunan were literate. Regardless, during the Sino-Japanese War, the quality of recruits steadily declined. More than 90 percent of soldiers were illiterate, and few possessed any basic scientific knowledge, which hindered their ability to master their weapons. On the battlefield, they heavily relied on middle and junior officers for guidance.  In autumn 1933, General Hans von Seeckt, the architect of the post World War I German army, visited China at the personal invitation of Chiang Kai-shek. In his recommendations for military reform, he identified China's greatest problem as its excessively large forces drawn from diverse backgrounds. He stated, “At present, the most pressing goal is to... establish a small, well-equipped army with high morale and combat effectiveness to replace the numerous poorly armed and trained forces.” He suggested forming an army of sixty divisions and recommended the establishment of a training regiment for military officers to equip them with the skills needed for modern warfare. Chiang Kai-shek accepted von Seeckt's proposals, and on January 26, 1935, he convened a National Military Reorganization Conference in Nanjing. On March 1, the Army Reorganization Bureau was established in Wuchang, under the leadership of General Chen Cheng. In the same month, General Alexander von Falkenhausen took charge of the German Military Advisors Group. Before war broke out, around nineteen divisions, roughly 300,000 troops received training from German advisors and were equipped with German-style weapons. At the onset of the Sino-Japanese War, the forces stemming from the First Army of the National Revolutionary Army and the Whampoa cadets, who had fought in the Northern Expedition, held the highest reputation and were referred to as the “core central forces” by the Japanese. Other notable forces included the Guangxi Army, Northwestern Army, Northeastern Army, some Uyghur units, the Guangdong Army, and the Shanxi Army. In contrast, provincial forces such as the Yunnan Army and Sichuan Army were viewed less favorably. Nationalist forces were generally far inferior to those of the Japanese enemy. In 1937, General He Yingqin noted that Nationalist forces had failed to prevail in 1932 and 1933, even when outnumbering the Japanese by 4-1.  In November 1937, during a national defense conference, Chiang Kai-shek stated, "In recent years we have worked hard, prepared actively, and achieved national unification. By the time of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, we were in a better domestic situation and had improved military preparedness compared to before. Since 1935, our strength has doubled. It increased by more than two to three times since January 1932 or September 1931 [when Japan attacked Shanghai and Mukden]. If peace had been achievable, we should have delayed the war for two or three years. Given an additional three years, our defensive capabilities would have been drastically different... Now, if we merely compare the military strength of China and Japan, we are certainly inferior." However, such assessments were overly optimistic, as Chiang failed to recognize that Japan's military capabilities would not have stagnated. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek certainly was dealt a difficult hand of cards for the upcoming poker match he was to play. Yet the Chinese were resilient and they had to be for the absolute horror that would be inflicted upon them from 1937-1945. Until this point, their enemies had been far more lenient, the Empire of Japan would show no mercy.

As the Torah tells the story of the Exodus, it sends a strong message that redemption is not only about moving to the geographic Promised Land, but also about moving toward a more just society and a repaired world. This is why the idea of forcibly relocating Palestinians from Gaza is completely anathema to Jewish teaching. --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution). For info on our weekly Zoom study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org. 

Longford football manager Billy O'Loughlin spoke to Ger Gilroy about how Division Three and Four teams have lost all hope in the Leinster SFC and the opportunities created by the Tailteann Cup. He also discussed whether teams in Leinster could consider a boycott of the Leinster Senior Football Championship. #OTBAM with @Gillette UK | #EffortlessFlow

The latest edition of the LaoisToday Talking Sport Podcast features an indepth interview with outgoing Laois GAA chairman Peter O'Neill.  O'Neill is stepping down as Laois GAA chairman despite having the option of staying on for another year if he wished.  He discusses the reasons why he's opting to step aside now and why he's not interested in remaining on the county executive in another role.  Looking back on his four-year term he chats about what the role entails, some of the challenges, how he views Laois now, his achievements and his regrets.  He also looks back on the Eddie Brennan controversy as well as laying out how Laois voted on Proposal B of the inter-county football restructure at the recent GAA Special Congress.  The LaoisToday Talking Sport Podcast is brought to you in association with Booth Concrete. 

In this episode, Seamus Brady and Luke Peyton (both from the Play on GAA Podcast) join me in discussing the main talking points coming out of GAA Congress 2021. Was Congress right to reject Proposal B or was there a better solution that wasn't even looked at? We delve into this deeply in this episode. Play On GAA - YouTube FortuneFavours.ie (Use the discount code STATSMAN10 to get 10% off your order)

GPA head Tom Parsons and GAA coach Jamie Wall joined Ger and Eoin to react to the rejection of Proposal B at the GAA Special Congress on Saturday. Catch OTB's sports breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30 am or just search for OTB AM and get the podcast on the OTB Sports app or wherever you listen to yours. SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW the OTB AM podcast. #OTBAM is live weekday mornings from 7:30 am across Off The Ball, in association with Gillette | #BestFaceForward

On this morning's Gillette Performance Rankings, Ger and Eoin discussed the rejection of Proposal B at GAA Special Congress, Man United's woes, Liverpool brilliance, Connacht rugby and more! Catch OTB's sports breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30 am or just search for OTB AM and get the podcast on the OTB Sports app or wherever you listen to yours. SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW the OTB AM podcast. #OTBAM is live weekday mornings from 7:30 am across Off The Ball, in association with Gillette | #BestFaceForward

This week football takes center stage as we look back on the quarter finals in senior and intermediate. We talk football with Tom, Martin and John Owens. We discuss the outcome of the failure of Proposal B at congress, we talk to Conor O'Dwyer. Hurling with Noel Dundon and soccer with Barry Ryan rounds out a bust bank holiday Monday. We hope you like...

With John Kenny. Alan Cawley and Stephen Kelly decide where the problem lies at Man Utd. Stephen Ferris looks at Ulster's loss to Connacht. Damian Lawlor on GAA's Special Congress vote and Tony O'Donoghue in Finland ahead of the Ireland match! Game On.

Caradh caught up with Eoin Harte from Pundit Arena earlier to hear the latest from the GAA Special Congress.Eoin talked about Proposal B not getting passed, even though it achieved the majority vote. It was still short of the necessary 60%. He also talked about the potential for players to leave their inter-county set up following the vote to maintain the status quo. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Verney from the Irish Independent and Mick O'Keeffe of Teneo joined John Duggan on The Saturday Panel. We had reaction to the GAA Special Congress vote, which ended in defeat for Proposal B. The lads also discussed Henry Shefflin's shock entry into inter-county management with Galway.

Michael Verney from the Irish Independent and Mick O'Keeffe of Teneo joined John Duggan on The Saturday Panel. We had reaction to the GAA Special Congress vote, which ended in defeat for Proposal B. The lads also discussed Henry Shefflin's shock entry into inter-county management with Galway.

Michael Verney from the Irish Independent and Mick O'Keeffe of Teneo joined John Duggan on The Saturday Panel. We had reaction to the GAA Special Congress vote, which ended in defeat for Proposal B. The lads also discussed Henry Shefflin's shock entry into inter-county management with Galway.

Former Dublin footballer and coach Jason Sherlock joins Ger Gilroy on Friday's Off The Ball to explain why he is in favour of the GAA's Proposal B.

Will O'Callaghan gives an update on voting intentions on Proposal B ahead of Special Congress, John Duggan also joined Michael Verney and Ger Gilroy to discuss Henry Shefflin's appointment in Galway.  #OTBAM with Gillette | #BestFaceForward

Welcome to Ep. 24 of The Football Pod with Paddy and Andy - Rory Gallagher is our special guest this week, and what a fascinating life in Football we're picking through here for you. We also hear about Paddy's stag and Andy's trip to the Leitrim SFC Final, we're debating the structures and talking Cian O'Neill's appoitment in Galway. Click the timestamps to head to each section, as Paddy Andrews, Andy Moran and Tommy Rooney talk Football. TIMESTAMPS and TOPICS. (00:30) – Welcome to Ep. 24 of The Football Pod - SUBSCRIBE! (01:00) – Paddy's stag and Andy's weekend of Football. (15:30) – Special guest Rory Gallagher joins The Football Pod. (01:28:30) – Gaelic Football structures debate. (01:37:30) – TFP reaction: Cian O'Neill appointment, Share the podcast, give us a review and rate the show if you're enjoying it. Subscribe to the podcast in the 'OTB GAA' feed or in 'The Football Pod with Paddy and Andy' - Spotify / iTunes! Contact the Football Pod and let us know what you think or send in questions on Instagram or Twitter, follow us and get in touch! Email: thefootballpod@offtheball.com

Ahead of Saturday's special congress Mikey Stafford and Rory O'Neill are joined by Kieran Shannon and Tomas Ó Sé to discuss the pros and cons of the league-based senior football championship structure, known as Proposal B.

Will O'Callaghan and John Duggan bring you right up to speed on the lay of the land three days from the GAA's Special Congress. #OTBAM with Gillette | #BestFaceForward

Paul Shaughnessy and Irish Examiner sports journalist Kieran Shannon discuss Congress 2021.

FOOTBALL: Shane Walsh chats to Darren Kelly about Féile, Galway, Proposal B, Rule Changes, Cian O'Neill and more

Welcome to Ep. 24 of The Football Pod with Paddy and Andy - Rory Gallagher is our special guest this week, and what a fascinating life in Football we're picking through here for you. We also hear about Paddy's stag and Andy's trip to the Leitrim SFC Final, we're debating the structures and talking Cian O'Neill's appoitment in Galway. Click the timestamps to head to each section, as Paddy Andrews, Andy Moran and Tommy Rooney talk Football. TIMESTAMPS and TOPICS. (00:30) – Welcome to Ep. 24 of The Football Pod - SUBSCRIBE! (01:00) – Paddy's stag and Andy's weekend of Football. (15:30) – Special guest Rory Gallagher joins The Football Pod. (01:28:30) – Gaelic Football structures debate. (01:37:30) – TFP reaction: Cian O'Neill appointment, Share the podcast, give us a review and rate the show if you're enjoying it. Subscribe to the podcast in the 'OTB GAA' feed or in 'The Football Pod with Paddy and Andy' - Spotify / iTunes! Contact the Football Pod and let us know what you think or send in questions on Instagram or Twitter, follow us and get in touch! Email: thefootballpod@offtheball.com

GAA journalist Mick Foley joins Joe Molloy to discuss the forthcoming Special Congress and a potential change to the Senior Football Championship.

Former Leitrim and Dublin footballer and member of the Fixtures Review Committee, Declan Darcy, joined Ger and Eoin to discuss the merits of Proposal B ahead of this weekend's GAA Special Congress. #OTBAM with Gillette | #BestFaceForward

It's not often we get Tuesday night football in Laois and given Emo's surprise win over Graiguecullen in the delayed championship quarter-final we've produced a bonus edition to discuss that clash.  A throwaway line in our preview podcast last week dismissing their chances was used as ammunition in the buildup and they haven't been slow to let us know how wrong we were! Their thrilling 1-12 to 0-12 was the shock result of the quarter-final stage and sets up a semi-final meeting with Portarlington on Sunday week.  We look back on the game, the main talking points, the crucial winning goal and our choice of man of the match.  We also discuss Peter O'Neill's decision to step down as chairman of Laois GAA and the upcoming Congress where a major proposal is on the agenda in relation to the restructuring of the All Ireland football championship.  The LaoisToday Talking Sport Podcast is brought to you in association with Booth Concrete.

Mick and Maurice bring you this week's GAA Embedded. The lads discuss the jots of following the club season from afar in 2021, some outstanding performances of the club weekend, including a 39 year old JJ Delaney!  For the main part of the show, Maurice talks to Cahair O'Kane of the Irish News with the two differing on the rights and wrongs of "Proposal B," the championship restructure backed by the GPA but, it appears, doomed to failure.  You can get in touch with the show on social media or by emailing thegaffer@balls.ie. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast feed and leave a five-star rating and comment.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday's #OTBAM podcast - Ger and Eoin are live this morning with your sports breakfast fix - Karen Duggan talks Football, we've got Rugby with Alan Quinlan and the Performance Rankings. We're also continuing our coverage around Special Congress as Leinster secretary Michael Reynolds joins us to discuss! Timestamps and topics below. (01:00) - OTB AM is LIVE - Ger and Eoin. (06:50) - Performance Rankings (41:00) - Football with Karen Duggan. (1:10:30) - Sports News with Cathal Mullaney. (1:18:00) - Sports Pages (01:22:20) - Rugby with Alan Quinlan. (01:43:00) - Leinster GAA Secretary Michael Reynolds on Special Congress. Catch OTB's sports breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for OTB AM and get the podcast on the OTB Sports app or wherever you listen to yours. SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW the OTB AM podcast. #OTBAM is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across Off The Ball, in association with Gillette | #BestFaceForward

Michael Reynolds, Leinster GAA secretary on Championship reform debate ahead of Special Congress. Live with Gillette | #BestFaceForward

Mick and Maurice bring you this week's GAA Embedded. The lads discuss the jots of following the club season from afar in 2021, some outstanding performances of the club weekend, including a 39 year old JJ Delaney!  For the main part of the show, Maurice talks to Cahair O'Kane of the Irish News with the two differing on the rights and wrongs of "Proposal B," the championship restructure backed by the GPA but, it appears, doomed to failure.  You can get in touch with the show on social media or by emailing thegaffer@balls.ie. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast feed and leave a five-star rating and comment.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continued our discussion around the proposed new GAA championship structures on The Saturday Panel. This day next week the GAA Special Congress will sit when a decision will be made over Proposal B, or a continuation of the status quo. Former GAA President Nickey Brennan and Cork GAA CEO Kevin O'Donovan joined John Duggan.

We continued our discussion around the proposed new GAA championship structures on The Saturday Panel. This day next week the GAA Special Congress will sit when a decision will be made over Proposal B, or a continuation of the status quo. Former GAA President Nickey Brennan and Cork GAA CEO Kevin O'Donovan joined John Duggan.

We continued our discussion around the proposed new GAA championship structures on The Saturday Panel. This day next week the GAA Special Congress will sit when a decision will be made over Proposal B, or a continuation of the status quo. Former GAA President Nickey Brennan and Cork GAA CEO Kevin O'Donovan joined John Duggan.

On the Extratime.com Friday Podcast with Oisin Langan, we talk to John Gill on the Republic of Ireland's evolution, the upcoming League of Ireland fixtures and why a cross-border competition would be good for both leagues. We also chat with Conleith Gilligan on Proposal B and the good and bad of the possible new structure. If you'd like to get in touch drop us a message on Twitter via @extratimeNews or @oisinlangan. And remember to subscribe, rate and comment on whatever platforms you listen to us on!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/extratimecom)

A member of the GAA Fixture Committee behind Proposal B, Conor O'Donoghue joined Ger Gilroy on Friday's show to discuss the association's statement regarding the financial implications of the new proposed structure.  

Adrian Barry and Eoin Sheahan reacted to the GAA's Director of Finance Ger Mulryan releasing financial projections for Proposal A and B ahead of the upcoming Special Congress

The Irish News columnist Cahair O'Kane joined Nathan Murphy on OTB to explain why he is vehemently opposed to Proposal B at Special Congress.

Ger and Eoin discussed the latest developments ahead of Special Congress following the GPA's letter to delegates and Carlow manager Niall Carew questioning the issues facing smaller counties #OTBAM is LIVE with Gillette | #BestFaceForward

Welcome to Ep. 23 of The Football Pod with Paddy and Andy - Hannah Tyrrell, Dublin Footballer and former Irish Rugby star joins the pod for an extraordinary interview about her sporting achievements and her mental health journey, which she speak so candidly about. We also get stuck into Andy Moran's apponintment - click the timestamps to head to each section, as Paddy Andrews, Andy Moran and Tommy Rooney talk Football. TIMESTAMPS and TOPICS. (00:30) – Welcome to Ep. 23 of The Football Pod - SUBSCRIBE! (01:00) – Andy Moran, Leitrim Manager - the interview. (14:00) – Proposal B vs. Status Quo, fallout in Meath Football. (34:30) – Special guest Hannah Tyrrell joins TFP: talking Sam, his big moments, making it in Melbourne and the problem with the GAA. (01:32:30) – TFP reaction. If you've been affected by any of the topics discussed in this episode or would like information - please see contact details below for Pieta House. - Website: www.pieta.ie - Text: HELP to 51444 - Phone: 01 628 2111 - Email: info@pieta.ie Share the podcast, give us a review and rate the show if you're enjoying it. Subscribe to the podcast in the 'OTB GAA' feed or in 'The Football Pod with Paddy and Andy' - Spotify / iTunes! Contact the Football Pod and let us know what you think or send in questions on Instagram or Twitter, follow us and get in touch! Email: thefootballpod@offtheball.com

Wednesday's #OTBAM podcast - Ger and Eoin are joined in studio by Kenny Cunningham to look back at Ireland's second win in four days - Conor O'Donoghue and Michael Duignan, discuss the pros and cons of Proposal B, Paralympian, Nicole Turner joins us along with coach Eimear Matthews. Timestamps and topics are below. (01:00) - OTB AM is LIVE - Ger and Eoin. (1:40) - Kenny Cunningham & Nathan Murphy on Ireland's second win (35:30) - Conor O'Donoghue (45:50) - Michael Duignan (1:05:50) - Sports Pages (01:18:20) - Kenny Cunningham on the Premier League (01:48:30) - Nicole Turner & Eimear Matthews Catch OTB's sports breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for OTB AM and get the podcast on the OTB Sports app or wherever you listen to yours. SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW the OTB AM podcast. #OTBAM is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across Off The Ball, in association with Gillette | #BestFaceForward

Welcome to Ep. 23 of The Football Pod with Paddy and Andy - Hannah Tyrrell, Dublin Footballer and former Irish Rugby star joins the pod for an extraordinary interview about her sporting achievements and her mental health journey, which she speak so candidly about. We also get stuck into Andy Moran's apponintment - click the timestamps to head to each section, as Paddy Andrews, Andy Moran and Tommy Rooney talk Football. TIMESTAMPS and TOPICS. (00:30) – Welcome to Ep. 23 of The Football Pod - SUBSCRIBE! (01:00) – Andy Moran, Leitrim Manager - the interview. (14:00) – Proposal B vs. Status Quo, fallout in Meath Football. (34:30) – Special guest Hannah Tyrrell joins TFP: talking Sam, his big moments, making it in Melbourne and the problem with the GAA. (01:32:30) – TFP reaction. If you've been affected by any of the topics discussed in this episode or would like information - please see contact details below for Pieta House. - Website: www.pieta.ie - Text: HELP to 51444 - Phone: 01 628 2111 - Email: info@pieta.ie Share the podcast, give us a review and rate the show if you're enjoying it. Subscribe to the podcast in the 'OTB GAA' feed or in 'The Football Pod with Paddy and Andy' - Spotify / iTunes! Contact the Football Pod and let us know what you think or send in questions on Instagram or Twitter, follow us and get in touch! Email: thefootballpod@offtheball.com

Former Meath captain Anthony Moyles joined Tuesday's OTB AM ahead of the Meath clubs convening to decide the future of Andy McEntee as Men's Senior Football Manager, He also gives his view on whether Proposal B will pass at Special Congress later this month. #OTBAM is live every morning with @Gillette UK  | #BestFaceForward You can subscribe to the OTB AM podcast wherever you get your podcasts across the OTB Podcast Network. via iTunes via Spotify via GoLoud

Mick and Maurice bring you this week's GAA Embedded discussing a top class club weekend, the continuing managerial appointments, and a striking plea from Maurice for the GAA Special Congress to adopt Proposal B in changing the structure of the football championship.  We also discuss great players who were born in the wrong era and missed their county's golden age, and whether or not we dismiss the feats (and stats) of free takers far too easily.  You can get in touch with the show on social media or by emailing thegaffer@balls.ie. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast feed and leave a five-star rating and comment.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mick and Maurice bring you this week's GAA Embedded discussing a top class club weekend, the continuing managerial appointments, and a striking plea from Maurice for the GAA Special Congress to adopt Proposal B in changing the structure of the football championship.  We also discuss great players who were born in the wrong era and missed their county's golden age, and whether or not we dismiss the feats (and stats) of free takers far too easily.  You can get in touch with the show on social media or by emailing thegaffer@balls.ie. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast feed and leave a five-star rating and comment.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A roundup of the GAA chat on Monday's OTB AM, as Tommy Rooney joined Ger Gilroy and Eoin Sheahan to discuss the latest developments around Andy McEntee's future as Meath senior manager. Then, Eoin and Ger responds to the inaccuracies being reported about how many teams will compete in the Football Championship under Proposal B. #OTBAM is live every morning with @Gillette UK  | #BestFaceForward You can subscribe to the OTB AM podcast wherever you get your podcasts across the OTB Podcast Network. via iTunes via Spotify via GoLoud  

Friday's #OTBAM podcast - Adrian, Eoin and Kenny Cunningham are in studio for the morning as we talk Ireland, the Saudi-Newcastle takeover, Steve Bruce, there's Rugby with Alan Quinlan, the Crappy Quiz, why the GPA are backing Proposal B and former GAA president Sean Kelly! Timestamps and topics below. (01:00) - OTB AM is LIVE - Adrian, Eoin and Kenny. (01:40) - Kenny Cunningham on Steve Bruce, Gerrard to Newcastle, Saudi takeover, Ireland. (41:00) - GPA back Proposal B - Niall Morgan, Podge Collins and Mickey Quinn. (52:30) - Former GAA President Sean Kelly on the politics of GAA Congress. (1:10150) - Sports Pages and Sports News with Will O'Callaghan. (01:20:10) - Rugby with Alan Quinlan. (01:44:30) - Crappy Quiz - Nathan vs. Kenny vs. Adrian. Catch OTB's sports breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for OTB AM and get the podcast on the OTB Sports app or wherever you listen to yours. SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW the OTB AM podcast. #OTBAM is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across Off The Ball, in association with Gillette | #BestFaceForward

GPA CEO Tom Parsons joins Nathan Murphy to discuss his body's backing for Proposal B ahead of this month's Special Congress.  

Clare footballer Podge Collins joined Ger Gilroy and Eoin Sheahan on Tuesday's OTB AM to discuss the prospective changes to GAA's Senior Football Championship. Catch OTB's sports breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for OTB AM and get the podcast on the OTB Sports app or wherever you listen to yours. SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW the OTB AM podcast. #OTBAM is live weekday mornings from 7:30am across Off The Ball, in association with Gillette | #BestFaceForward

The Newsletter for the City of Ann Arbor, Mich. • October 2012  • Volume 6 • Number 10Fall fun for allEvents are taking place in Ann Arbor throughout October. Check out these fun ways to celebrate the season (find more events on the city's online calendar).  On Saturday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m.– noon, meet “nature's recyclers” at the Materials Recovery Facility Open House (4150 Platt Road). A Leslie Science & Nature Center naturalist will provide a fun, interactive program featuring a vulture and other living recyclers. An optional MRF tour is also available. This event is free, and space is limited! Preregister by calling 734.794.6000, extension 43112. Preregistered programs start at 10 and 11:30 a.m.Trick or Treat Down the River is Sunday, Oct. 21 from noon to 4 p.m. at Gallup Canoe Livery (3000 Fuller Ave., 734.794.6240). By canoe or kayak, encounter creatures along the river handing out treats and candy. Bring a bag for collecting candy. And feel free to dress up, too. Fee is $18 per boat. Pre registration is not required.  Volunteers are also needed to dress up and hand out candy during the Trick-or-Treat paddle. Interested? Visit the Volunteer 365 page on the city website, email or call 734.794.6230, extension 42510. Pumpkin-carving fun is planned for Saturday, Oct. 27, 11 am.–1 p.m., at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market (315 Detroit St.). All ages are welcome to enjoy pumpkin carving, face painting and treats from vendors. This event is free. Skate to spooky sounds at the Veterans Memorial Park Halloween Skate, 1–2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27 (2150 Jackson Road, 734.794.6235). Best-costume prizes will be awarded. General admission rates apply at this fun-for-all-ages event.Animal Haunts at the Leslie Science & Nature Center (1831 Traver Road, 734.997.1553) is a family-friendly event Saturday, Oct. 27. Enjoy a guided a hike through Black Pond woods where costumed characters bring plants and animals to life through skits and songs. Pumpkins, games, face painting, cider and more round out the evening. A shorter hike designed especially for families with children ages 5 and under is offered 4:30 to 6 p.m.; and the 7 to 9 p.m. hike is more suitable for older kids and their families. Pre registration rates are $8 per person, $30 per family; or $10/$35 at the door.  And finally … Halloween Trick-or-Treating for participating residents will take place in Ann Arbor neighborhoods between 5 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31. To help keep this holiday fright free and full of fun, tips from the Ann Arbor police department are available online. Among the most basic safety guidelines — parents and guardians should supervise their trick-or-treaters, and stay in neighborhoods that are well lit and familiar.City and residents talk trashAnn Arbor residents are encouraged to lend their voices to the city's updating process of the five-year Solid Waste Management Plan. The draft five-year update plan is posted for review online, and a printed copy is available at the Customer Service Center, on the first floor of Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St. weekdays during regular business hours, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.  An advisory committee representing Ann Arbor residents, businesses, agencies and the University of Michigan, has been working with staff, City Council and city environmental commissioners over the last year to update the Solid Waste Management Plan. Once adopted, it will provide an outline of cost-effective, customer-friendly and environmentally responsible options to consider and prioritize for implementation over the next five years.There are several ways to provide your input:Take the solid waste planning survey — through Friday, Oct. 5 — either online at or by using the printed version in WasteWatcher newsletter (with a prepaid return mailer), which was delivered to all city residential addresses in September. Residents who wish to include their address with their response can be eligible in three random drawings for a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant or grocery store, iTunes or Ann Arbor Canoe Liveries.Public forums are planned for Thursday, Oct. 18, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library Traverwood  Branch, 3333 Traverwood Drive (at Huron Parkway); and Tuesday, Oct. 30, 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Community Television Network, 2805 S. Industrial (between Stadium and Eisenhower). The draft Solid Waste Management Plan presentation and discussion group summaries will be taped for replay on CTN.Or please send your comments, by Nov. 30, 2012, to Solid Waste Coordinator Tom McMurtrie, 734.794.6430, extension 43707.Find out about roundaboutsDid you know modern roundabouts can have multiple advantages over signalized intersections? Go online to find out how best to navigate Ann Arbor's roundabouts and for other safety tips.Street-safety remindersCheck out the rules-of-the-road reminders and resources on the city's “walk bike drive” Web page, www.a2gov.org/walkbikedrive, to help ensure safe travels for all, including:For those on foot, cross at marked crosswalks, and make sure to give motorists enough time to see you and stop.For bicyclists, ride on the road when possible — and obey the traffic signals. Use bike lanes when available.For motorists, be extra alert at crosswalks, and stop when pedestrians are present to cross. Drivers should also safely give bicyclists room on the road, ideally 3–4 feet of space.Nov. 6 Election Day remindersThe State General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 6, when polls will be open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Visit the elections Web page for the list of candidates, two City of Ann Arbor ballot proposals and polling places.    Residents who need to register to vote must do so by Tuesday, Oct. 9 at the City Clerk's office, second floor of Larcom City Hall; the Washtenaw County Clerk's office; at any Secretary of State branch office; or by mailing in a voter registration application (postmarked by Oct. 9) to: Ann Arbor City Clerk, PO Box 8647, Ann Arbor, MI 48107. Please note, the City Clerk's office is closed on Fridays through Oct. 19 as staff prepares for the election. However, absentee ballot applications and/or voted ballots may be dropped off in the north atrium entrance in the Clerk's office ballot box, faxed to 734.994.8296 or emailed. Staff will respond to calls (734.794.6140) and emails on the Monday following each closure. A closer look at the Nov. 6 City of Ann Arbor ballot proposalsIn addition to the mayoral and Council candidates, Ann Arbor voters will be asked to consider two City of Ann Arbor proposals on the Nov. 6 Election Day ballot.Proposal A is the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage Renewal. On Aug. 9, 2012, Ann Arbor City Council voted unanimously to place on the Tuesday, Nov. 6 ballot a renewal of the city's parks maintenance and capital improvements millage at the rate of 1.1 mills. City Council also voted unanimously to reaffirm the policies for the administration of the Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage. Between 60 percent and 80 percent of the annual millage funds support city park maintenance activities. Park maintenance activities include forestry and horticulture, natural area preservation, park operations, park equipment repairs and recreation facility maintenance. Between 20 percent and 40 percent of the annual millage funds are designated for city park capital improvements in the following areas: active parks; forestry and horticulture; historic preservation; neighborhood parks and urban plazas; pathways, trails, boardwalks, greenways and the Huron River watershed; recreation facilities; and park equipment acquisitions. This millage renewal proposes 1.10 mills and estimates total revenue in the first year of the millage of $5,052,000. The estimated annual cost to a household in the first year of the millage renewal, based on a mean taxable value of $108,600, is expected to be $119.46, or slightly less than $10 per month. The current cost to a household for the expiring millage based on a mean taxable value of $108,600 is $119.13. Additional information, fact sheets, FAQs, administrative policies and millage project status tables are available online.  Or, if you have questions regarding the millage, please email the parks staff. The Wednesday, Oct. 10 episode of Conversations on Ann Arbor Community Television Network will also feature Parks and Recreation Services Manager Colin Smith sharing facts about this ballot proposal. Watch this episode on Channel 19 on Comcast Cable or streamed on the Web.Proposal B is the Art in Public Places Millage. On Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, City Council voted unanimously to place on the Nov. 6 ballot a proposal for a publically funded Art in Public Places Millage at the rate of  0.10 mills. The new Art in Public Places Millage would be used to fund a range of art initiatives in Ann Arbor, including permanent installations; temporary art events; performance art; and exhibitions. The proposed millage would replace the existing funding mechanism for public art. The city's Public Art Charter would be amended to replace the current funding from capital improvement projects (1 percent from street, sewer, bridge, parking lot construction) with the new art in public places millage funding. The city would still be able to use the remaining balance of capital improvement funds set aside for public art purposes. The new millage of one-tenth (0.10) mill, if approved, is expected to raise approximately $459,273 during the first year. For a household in the City of Ann Arbor with a mean taxable value of $108,600, the one-tenth (0.10) mill would add a tax of $10.97 per year, or 91 cents per month.To see how these proposals will appear on the Nov. 6 ballot, please visit the elections page on the city website. Fall golf eventsDon't miss the final golf events of the season coming to nationally acclaimed Leslie Park Golf Course, 2120 Traver Road. Register today! Call the course at 734.794.6245 or go online for details.Fall Scramble: Sunday, Oct. 14, 8:30 a.m., $150 per team. This three-person shoot-out scramble includes greens fee, golf cart, lunch, prizes and a potential $1,000 skins pot! Bring your "A” game, and be ready to score! Pre registration is required.NEW! Michigan vs. Michigan State Golf Scramble: Saturday, Oct. 20, 8 a.m. shotgun start, $80 per team. This spirit-filled, two-person scramble will take the college rivalry to a new field (on the course). The 18-holes event includes great prizes, fun times and a little inter-school razzing.Chili Open: Sunday, Oct. 28, 9:30 a.m., $80 per team. Say good bye to fall in this fun two-person scramble all while battling the cold weather. The event includes 18 holes, a continental breakfast, prizes, chili and chili dogs.  (This will be your last chance to play holes 10, 11 and 13 as you know them!)In this issue: Fall events * Solid Waste Management Plan * Roundabouts * Street-safety reminders * Election Day reminders * City of Ann Arbor ballot proposals * Fall golf events * Urban and Community Forest Management Plan * A2 Open City Hall * Leaf-disposal options * 15th District Court Sobriety Court program * Allmendinger Park mural * ReImagine Washtenaw * Ypsilanti River Day * Washtenaw County Clean-up Day * Dates to rememberSpeak for the treesThe City of Ann Arbor is in the process of developing the community's first Urban and Community Forest Management Plan. A meeting to present and receive input on the draft recommendations will take place Wednesday, Oct. 3, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cobblestone Farm (2781 Packard Road). Recommendations were developed through the plan's prior public-outreach efforts, and additional input is now being sought to further ensure consistency with the values and needs of the community.The publicly managed urban forest provides $4.6 million in benefits, including stormwater runoff reductions, improved water quality and lower energy costs. The Urban and Community Forest Management Plan will help the city maintain a sustainable urban forest and effectively manage it as a community asset. Those unable to attend the public meeting can provide comments on the draft recommendations online in two ways: through the new A2 Open City Hall forum and via a survey.     More information on the Urban and Community Forest Management Plan is available on the project Web page. Here, you may also sign up to receive e-notifications about the process directly to your email. Questions or input can also be directed to Kerry Gray, urban forest and natural resource planning coordinator, at 734.794.6430, extension 43703.New topics await your input on A2 Open City HallAnn Arbor residents have a new way to share feedback with city staff and Council members with the debut of A2 Open City Hall. This new online forum recently featured a question about recommended South State Street Corridor improvements.The city now invites the public to give input — from the convenience of their keyboards — on two additional topics: the urban and community forest management planning, as noted in the article above, and the fire department restructure proposal. Please logon and share your input.Stay tuned for additional topics in the coming months.Leaf-disposal optionsAutumn has arrived, and it's time to think about managing those leaves. Options include mulching leaves on site, and collecting leaves in paper lawn bags and compost carts to leave at the curb for weekly pickup. Or take advantage of free bulk leaf drop off at the Ann Arbor Compost Center. Please remember that the city no longer picks up loose leaves raked to the street. And did you know, your past-its-prime pumpkin and decorative cornstalks can go in your compost cart or paper yard waste bag (up to 50 pounds per bag) for curbside pickup.15th District Court is awarded grants for Sobriety Court programThe 15th District Court has been awarded a $70,000 Michigan Drug Court Program grant and a $25,000 Office of Highway Safety Planning grant by the State Court Administrative Office of the Michigan Supreme Court. Grant funds will be used to continue 15th District Court Judge Joseph F. Burke's Sobriety Court program, which was established in 2004 by retired Judge Julie A. Creal.The goals of the team-based, selective Sobriety Court program are to proactively enhance community safety by assisting persons who need and would benefit from intensive court supervision, with emphasis on rehabilitation. With the support and cooperation of all district court judges in Washtenaw County, the 15th District Court Sobriety Court, located in the City of Ann Arbor, accepts case referrals from all district courts in the county. Sobriety Court team members include the Ann Arbor Police Department, the University of Michigan Department of Public Safety, local substance abuse treatment non-profit organization Dawn Farm Inc., Model Cities Legal Services Inc., the Ann Arbor City Attorney's Office and the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office.The services that are used to accomplish these goals include outpatient and inpatient drug and alcohol treatment, based on participant need; mental health services provided by Washtenaw Community Health Organization Project Outreach; drug and alcohol testing by Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry L. Clayton's Office of Community Corrections; and ancillary services including education services, life skills, employment assistance and other support services.Community and artist collaborate for Allmendinger Park muralAllmendinger Park will soon be home to a very unique and collaborative art mural. Artist Mary Thiefels' "Nourishing Healthy Seeds,” a multimedia mural installed onto the pillars of the park's shelter, will be unveiled at a family event later this month. The mural, consisting of colorful layers of painted areas along with tile and glass mosaic sections, has a particularly special meaning to the Allmendinger Park neighbors: its design features contributions from the community. More than 60 self portraits were painted this past spring by Slauson Middle School eighth graders, and will serve as the primary figures in the mosaic. The portraits will be surrounded by more than 100 donated mementos from the area residents. Each item collected was accompanied by a description of the “found object;” and those descriptions will be posted online at a later date.The 8-acre Allmendinger Park is located on Pauline between Hutchins and Edgewood. Visit the mural project Web page for the unveiling-event information, once available, and for additional images and details. ReImagine WashtenawHead east out of downtown Ann Arbor along Washtenaw Avenue, and you're sure to notice some construction activity. Across from Whole Foods Market, groundbreaking has begun on Arbor Hills Crossing, a 90,000 square-foot retail and professional office development. The project includes new and wider sidewalks, a traffic signal and pedestrian crossing at Platt Road, and a new Ann Arbor Transit Authority Transit Super Stop. Continue further east, and you'll notice the Michigan Department of Transportation has begun a major traffic operations and nonmotorized project at US-23, which includes construction of nonmotorized paths on both sides of Washtenaw Avenue, providing a way for pedestrians and bicyclists safe travel under the highway overpass. This activity is all part of the ReImagine Washtenaw initiative.ReImagine Washtenaw is a multi-jurisdictional, land-use planning and public transit initiative. Its focus is to transform the corridor from mainly automobile use, to a safe, multimodal, public transit-enhanced corridor, with new, high-quality mixed-use development, enhanced transit service and amenities. These efforts will also result in a corridor with sense of “place.”Professional staff planners and elected officials from the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti and Pittsfield and Ypsilanti townships have been leading this effort. Additional partners, including the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority, Michigan Department of Transportation, Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study, are also collaborating to take the county's most congested and auto-centric road, and turn it in to a high-functioning, multi-modal corridor.For more information, visit the ReImagine Washtenaw website. Ypsilanti River DayYpsilanti Parks and the Ann Arbor Canoe Liveries together are presenting the second annual Ypsilanti River Day. On Sunday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., canoes and single and double kayaks will be available to rent at Frog Island Park to take a journey down the Huron River into Ford Lake. A van will pick up at a designated location on the hour to bring you back to Frog Island Park. Boat fees are $15–$25. Last launch is at 3 p.m., and last pick up is at 4 p.m. Go online for more information. Washtenaw County Clean-up DayGet organized, and get ready to do some fall cleaning. Saturday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., is the annual Washtenaw County Clean-up Day. The event takes place at Eastern Michigan University Rynearson Stadium parking lot, 799 N. Hewitt Road in Ypsilanti. Safely dispose of unwanted household items, including recyclables, scrap metal, electronics, appliances, cleaning supplies, motor oil, oil-based paints, furniture and more. This program is free; a $10 donation per car is suggested and is required for disposal of select items. Call for details, 734.222.3827, or go online. This event is for county residents only; no businesses please. Dates to rememberAmong the MANY public meetings/events taking place in October, here are some of the highlights (please go online for details and a complete list):  City Clerk's office remains closed on Fridays through Oct. 19.No closures or interruption in city services on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 8. City offices and the 15th District Court are open. No delays in trash/recycling/compost collection.Tuesday, Oct. 9 is the last day to register to vote in the State General Election.And much, much more, including Halloween and other seasonal events!A2 City News Web Page *City Council *Contact Us *Meeting Agendas *News/Announcements *Road/Lane ClosuresA2 City News is emailed to newsletter subscribers by the City of Ann Arbor.Please share comments via email or call 734.794.6110, ext. 41105.QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY OF ANN ARBOR?Contact usSTAY CONNECTED WITH THE CITY OF ANN ARBOR: