Battle of Changde
Changde, Hunan Province, China
What happened
Chinese Nationalist armies under commanders including Sun Lianzhong and Xue Yue fought the Japanese 11th Army under Isamu Yokoyama. In late 1943 Japan attacked the city of Changde, west of Dongting Lake, to weaken Chinese forces and stop them reinforcing Burma. Japanese troops captured parts of the city, and civilians were forced to flee. One Chinese division held out inside the city long enough for other Chinese armies to surround the attackers, and the Japanese, short of food and ammunition, withdrew.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was a Chinese victory: Japan failed to hold the city and returned to where it had started. It was one of many long battles in central China during the war.
What came next
The Japanese retreated from 13 December 1943, and by 5 January 1944 they were back at their starting positions. In 1944 several Chinese units were honoured for the battle.
Did you know?
The 'Peach Blossom Spring', a famous ancient Chinese story of a hidden paradise, is linked to a place just outside Changde.
Timeline
- 2 November 1943The Japanese offensive begins.
- 13 December 1943Japanese forces begin to retreat.
- 5 January 1944The Japanese are back at their starting positions.
- 3 August 1944Chinese units are awarded flags for the battle.