The East Hebei Army was raised from the former soldiers of the Peace Preservation Corps that had been created by the Tangku Truce of 31 May 1933.
The Demilitarized Zone Peace Preservation Corps had been the "neutral" force policing the demilitarized area south of the Great Wall when Yin Ju-keng, at the instigation of the Japanese, proclaimed an Autonomous Government of Eastern Hebei in November 1935, with its capital at Tongzhou.
Intended for local policing they were only equipped with rifles and sidearms, and had no machine guns or artillery.
Strength and organization July, 1937: In December 1935, 4th Detachment of the East Hebei Army attacked the Nationalist held towns of Taku and the port of Tanggu.
After the mutiny was put down by the Japanese, the East Hebei Army was dissolved, as was the Autonomous Government.