 These various forces constituted themselves initially as the Kirin Self-Defence Army, but by the end of April 1932 they were known as the National Salvation Army.The Japanese had concentrated northwest of Harbin against General Ma Zhanshan in spring and summer of 1932, which allowed the increase in partisan activity in Jilin and Liaoning provinces.This activity culminated in simultaneous attacks on cities throughout the South Manchurian Railway Zone as severe August floods halted Japanese operations based on Harbin, and isolated the troops engaged on them.