In the spring of 1938, China and Japan launched a fierce contest in Taierzhuang, Shandong. This battle, which was hailed as "the most glorious victory of the Chinese army since the anti-Japanese war," not only changed the attitude of the international community toward China, but also boosted the morale of the military and people throughout the country. Under the command of General Li Zongren, the Chinese army successfully annihilated more than 20,000 Japanese troops at a huge cost of more than 50,000 casualties, crushing the Japanese army's ambition to win Xuzhou in one fell swoop. However, what kind of thrilling battle process has been experienced behind this victory? How did the Chinese military turn the tide in the face of disadvantage and finally achieve this crucial victory?
On September 18, 1931, the long-planned conspiracy of the Kwantung Army of Japan finally broke out. They blew up the tracks of the South Manchurian Railway near Wicker Lake in Shenyang and blamed the Chinese army.
This was the "September 18 Incident" that shocked China and the rest of the world. Using this as an excuse, the Japanese army quickly occupied the three northeastern provinces.
Northeast China, this rich land, thus fell into the clutches of Japan imperialism. The Japanese installed a puppet regime called "Manchukuo" in the northeast in a vain attempt to turn China into their colony.
However, this is just the beginning. Japan's militarist ambitions go far beyond that.
On July 7, 1937, gunshots sounded on the side of the Lugou Bridge that shocked the world. Under the pretext that a soldier was missing, the Japanese launched an attack on the Chinese garrison. This was the famous "Lugou Bridge Incident", which also marked the outbreak of a full-scale war between China and Japan.
Since then, the Chinese nation has fallen into an existential catastrophe. The Japanese army poured into the land of China like a tidal wave, burning, killing and looting everywhere they went.
In just a few months, the Japanese army occupied large swaths of northern and eastern China. On December 13, 1937, Nanjing fell. The Japanese army carried out a terrible massacre in this ancient capital, killing 300,000 compatriots.
Just two weeks later, on December 27, Jinan also fell into the hands of the enemy. By this time, the Japanese army had taken control of strategic points in North China and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and their ambitions were even more inflated.
The Japan military department formulated an ambitious plan: to use Nanjing and Jinan as bases, attack north and south along the Jinpu Railway, and occupy Xuzhou. As long as Xuzhou was taken as a transportation hub, the Japanese army would be able to open up North China, East China, and Central China, and divide the hinterland of China into two.
In this plan, there is one place that is particularly important, and that is Taierzhuang.
Taierzhuang is located at the junction of Shandong and Jiangsu, and is the northern gate of Xuzhou. Since ancient times, it has been a battleground for soldiers. Whoever controls Taierzhuang will have the initiative to attack Xuzhou.
The Japanese army was also well aware of the strategic value of Taierzhuang. In mid-March 1938, they mobilized the main force of the 10th Division, about 40,000 people, and prepared to take Taierzhuang in one fell swoop.
Faced with such a grim situation, the commanders of the Chinese armed forces launched a heated discussion. In the end, they came up with a bold plan.
General Li Zongren, commander of the Fifth Theater of Operations, decided to hold Taierzhuang with Sun Lianzhong's troops, and at the same time ordered Tang Enbo's troops to get out of the way in front of the Tianjin-Pudong Railway to lure the enemy deeper. This was a risky move, in order to find an opportunity to annihilate the main force of the Japanese army.
In March 1938, the prelude to the Battle of Taierzhuang slowly opened. The Japanese 10th Division was like a ferocious beast, carrying more than 40,000 troops, and pounced on this ancient canal city.
In the face of the menacing Japanese army, the Chinese army made careful defensive arrangements. General Li Zongren personally commanded, with Sun Lianzhong's troops as the main force, and firmly held the city of Taierzhuang.
At the same time, he also mobilized the surrounding Chinese troops, ready to deliver a fatal blow to the Japanese army at the right time. It was a fight to the death, and the Chinese army knew that they had to defend the land with their lives.
On March 24, the battle officially began. Thousands of Japanese troops, under the cover of aircraft artillery, launched a fierce attack on Taierzhuang. The Chinese defenders in the city put up a stubborn resistance with the help of strong wall fortifications.
The two sides engaged in a fierce battle, and every inch of land was soaked in blood. Japanese artillery bombarded the walls, while Chinese troops returned fire with machine-gun fire and grenades.
The battle lasted three whole days. The Japanese attacks were crushed again and again, but they were still unwilling to be defeated. On March 27, Japanese reinforcements arrived and launched a third large-scale attack.
This time, the Japanese artillery fire was even more intense. A large section of the city wall of the north city of Taierzhuang was blown down, and the Japanese army took the opportunity to break into the city. Bloody battles unfolded in the streets and alleys, and the Chinese army fought for every inch of land.
Although two-thirds of the entire Taierzhuang was occupied, the area around Nanguan was still held by the Chinese army. The defenders built a new line of defense with their flesh and blood, vowing to die not to allow the Japanese to advance a single step.
At the same time, the Chinese army also completed the counter-encirclement of the Japanese army. General Li Zongren mobilized the surrounding troops and cut off the rear route of the Japanese army. The Sakamoto detachment, which came to the rescue of the Japanese army, was also repulsed by the Chinese troops.
The battle entered its most tragic phase. Every day, thousands of Chinese soldiers lay in pools of blood. But their sacrifice was not in vain, and the Japanese offensive gradually weakened.
On April 3, Chinese troops under the command of Li Zongren began a counterattack. They gradually recaptured the occupied markets and squeezed the Japanese into a small area.
The next day, the Nationalist Government dispatched the Air Force to support the Taierzhuang battlefield. It was a hard-won air force, and they dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese army. The Japanese suffered heavy losses, demoralized and began to flee north.
The next four days were a fierce pursuit. The Chinese army did not spare any Japanese troops, drove them out of the village, and pursued them all the way to the north bank of the canal.
When the smoke cleared, the Chinese army won the final victory in the Battle of Taierzhuang. But the cost of this victory was dearly. During the entire campaign, the Chinese army suffered more than 50,000 casualties.
This is a heart-wrenching number. 50,000 lives and the hope of 50,000 families have remained on the land of Taierzhuang forever. Among them are young students, experienced veterans, new fathers who have just become fathers, and veterans who are about to retire.
They come from all corners of China and gather here for the same goal: to defend the motherland against aggression. They used their lives to interpret what patriotism is and what national integrity is.
The sacrifice of these 50,000 soldiers was exchanged for the first major victory since China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Their heroic deeds will forever be engraved on the historical monument of the Chinese nation.
The victory in the Battle of Taierzhuang was not only a military victory, but also a spiritual victory. It proved that the Chinese army was capable and courageous of defeating the powerful Japan invaders.
This victory greatly boosted the morale of the military and civilians throughout the country and gave them hope for victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. At the same time, it has also changed the attitude of the international community towards China and let the world see the indomitable spirit of resistance of the Chinese people.
The victory in the Battle of Taierzhuang was not easy to come by, and the Chinese army paid a heavy price. But at the same time, they also dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese army.
After the battle, according to statistics, the Chinese army annihilated more than 20,000 Japanese troops. This figure is equivalent to about half of the total strength of the Japanese army participating in the war.
This is an exciting result. Since the "September 18 Incident", the Japanese army has been advancing all the way on the Chinese battlefield and has hardly suffered such heavy losses. The Battle of Taierzhuang can be said to have given Japan militarism a resounding slap in the face.
So, how did the Chinese army do this? Let's review the course of the campaign.
At the beginning of the campaign, the Japanese army was well-equipped and arrogant. They think that taking down a small Taierzhuang is just a gesture. However, they soon discover that they were wrong.
The Chinese army has adopted flexible tactics. In the city, they took advantage of the familiar terrain and set up a large number of hidden bunkers and tunnels. Whenever the Japanese invaded an alley, they would be met with heavy fire from all directions.
Before they could react, many Japanese troops fell under the guns of the Chinese army. Even experienced Japan soldiers were confused by this style of play.
At the same time, the Chinese army also set up multiple encirclements outside the city. Whenever Japanese reinforcements arrived, they were ambushed by Chinese troops.
The most famous was the battle of annihilation against Sakamoto's detachment. This elite unit of the Japanese army was originally to reinforce Taierzhuang, but it was besieged by the Chinese army on the way and almost completely annihilated.
This tactic of attacking from inside and outside put the Japanese army in a dilemma. They could not attack the city with all their strength, nor did they dare to retreat easily, so they could only be beaten passively.
As the battle progressed, the Japanese casualties grew. Their supply lines were cut off, and both ammunition and food began to run out. Many Japan soldiers began to waver, and some even began to flee without permission.
On April 3, the Chinese army began a general offensive. At this time, the Japanese army was already at the end of its strong crossbow and was powerless to resist. Chinese troops poured into Taierzhuang like a tidal wave, squeezing the Japanese army into a small area.
The next few days will be a complete war of annihilation. The Chinese army carried forward the spirit of not being afraid of sacrifice and launched a carpet sweep against the Japanese army. The streets, the rooftops, the basements, there are fierce battles everywhere.
The resistance of the Japanese army became weaker and weaker, and many chose to surrender. But more Japanese soldiers, under the influence of militaristic education, chose to commit suicide. Many Japan officers chanted "Long live the Emperor" before they died, showing their distorted values.
After the battle, the entire Taierzhuang was littered with the corpses of Japanese soldiers. Some fell in the streets, some were buried under the rubble, and some floated in the canals. The sheer number of these bodies shocked even the Chinese soldiers who were responsible for cleaning them up.
In addition to the Japanese soldiers who were killed, the Chinese army also captured many Japan soldiers. Some of these captives were unable to move because they were wounded, while others surrendered voluntarily. Most of them seemed very depressed, completely devoid of the arrogance of the invasion.
The Chinese army took a humanitarian approach to these prisoners. They gave the captives basic food and medical care, and did not retaliate against them. This practice shows the moral integrity of Chinese soldiers.
The victory in the Battle of Taierzhuang was not only reflected in the number of enemies annihilated, but more importantly, in its strategic significance. This victory shattered the Japanese army's ambition to win Xuzhou in one fell swoop.
The Japanese had planned to occupy Xuzhou in a month's time and then continue their march to Wuhan. But the defeat of Taierzhuang disrupted their entire battle plan.
Having lost 20,000 elite troops, the Japanese had to readjust their strategy. They had to draw troops from other theaters, which gave the Chinese army a chance to breathe and regroup.
More importantly, the victory in the Battle of Taierzhuang greatly boosted the morale of the Chinese army. Prior to this, many believed that the Japanese army was invincible. But now, they saw with their own eyes that the Japanese too would fail and become prisoners.
This confidence boost cannot be measured in numbers. It gave the Chinese military and people the hope of victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and strengthened their determination to continue the War of Resistance.
The Battle of Taierzhuang was a victory won by the Chinese army in exchange for the lives of more than 20,000 Japanese soldiers. This price made the Japan militarists pay a heavy price, and also made them realize that it is by no means easy to invade China.
After the Battle of Taierzhuang, the situation of the entire War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression underwent subtle changes. This victory, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirred up layers of ripples.
The most immediate effect was that the Japanese offensive plan was forced to be interrupted. The originally menacing Japanese army, after suffering heavy losses in Taierzhuang, had to stop and reassess the situation. They had planned to occupy Xuzhou in a short period of time and then take Wuhan directly. But now, it is clear that this plan needs to be adjusted.
The temporary stagnation of the Japanese army gave the Chinese army a respite. General Li Zongren seized this opportunity and quickly organized the troops to reorganize and replenish them. He mobilized a large number of troops and strengthened the defenses of the Xuzhou region. At the same time, he also sent small units to constantly harass the Japanese army, so that the enemy could not rest and recuperate.
At the same time, the news of the victory in the Battle of Taierzhuang spread throughout the country, greatly boosting the morale of the military and people throughout the country. Celebrations were held in various places to praise the victory of Taierzhuang. Many young people were inspired to sign up for the military. People from all over the country also enthusiastically donated money and materials to support the war of resistance.
This nationwide enthusiasm for the war of resistance shocked and uneasy the Japan military. They originally thought that as long as they captured a few large cities, China would obediently surrender. But now, they find themselves facing a united nation.
At the political level, the victory in the Battle of Taierzhuang also had a profound impact. The prestige of the Nationalist Government was enhanced, and the various political forces temporarily put aside their differences and formed a more unified anti-Japanese front.
Chiang Kai-shek convened an important meeting in Nanjing to analyze the current situation and formulate a strategy for the next steps. The meeting decided to make full use of the victorious results of the Taierzhuang Battle to launch a counteroffensive on a larger scale. At the same time, it is also necessary to prepare for a protracted war, because Japan will not easily give up its aggressive ambitions.
On the international stage, the victory in the Battle of Taierzhuang has also attracted widespread attention. The battle was covered by the media of many Western countries, praising the heroic performance of the Chinese army. Some countries have begun to reassess their China policies and consider increasing their support for China.
United States President Roosevelt immediately called a cabinet meeting upon learning of the results of the Battle of Taierzhuang. The meeting decided to increase aid to China. Soon, a new batch of military advisers and supplies left for China.
However, Japan did not abandon its aggressive ambitions because of a single defeat. They quickly adjusted their strategy and prepared to launch a larger offensive. Japan's War Minister Seishiro Itagaki said at an internal meeting that he would seize Xuzhou at all costs to redeem his defeat at Taierzhuang.
In order to achieve this goal, the Japanese army began to deploy troops on a large scale in North China. They also drew a large number of recruits from Japan in an attempt to outwhelm the Chinese army with numerical superiority. At the same time, the Japanese army also strengthened its air force and prepared to bomb the Chinese army's defense line indiscriminately.
In the face of the upcoming new round of offensives, the Chinese army did not sit still. Based on intelligence, General Li Zongren predicted the possible offensive route of the Japanese army and made defensive arrangements in advance. He also sent a large number of scouts to closely monitor the movements of the Japanese army.
At the same time, the Chinese army is also actively preparing for war. Units have stepped up their training, especially in anti-tank and anti-aircraft skills. The logistics department works around the clock to deliver ammunition and food to ensure that the front-line soldiers can continue to fight for a long time.
In this process, the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army under the leadership of the Communist Party of China also played an important role. They waged guerrilla warfare in the rear of the Japanese army, constantly harassing and striking at the enemy, relieving pressure on the frontal battlefield.
Just when the two sides were in tension, an unexpected situation occurred. Divisions arose within the Japanese army. Some officers believed that an immediate attack should be launched to inflict heavy losses on the Chinese army while it was still gaining a foothold. Others argue that they should wait a little longer until all supplies and reinforcements are in place.
This internal disagreement has given the Chinese military precious time. General Li Zongren keenly seized this opportunity and convened a military meeting overnight to formulate a bold plan. He decided not to wait for the Japanese to attack, but to take the initiative and fight a surprise battle.
This plan was quickly approved by Chiang Kai-shek. Subsequently, the Chinese army began to move secretly. They took advantage of the cover of night and quietly approached the Japanese assembly area. All the soldiers involved in the operation were ordered to maintain strict secrecy, not even their families.
In this way, while the Japanese army was still debating whether to attack or not, the Chinese army was already under the city. When the first cannon shot pierced the silence of dawn, the Japanese realized that something was wrong. But it was too late, and the offensive of the Chinese army came like a tidal wave.
This battle became another major victory for the Chinese army after the victory in Taierzhuang. It not only disrupted the deployment of the Japanese army, but more importantly, completely changed the dynamics of the war. Since then, the Chinese army has shifted from pure defense to defense and counterattack.
This series of victories marked the beginning of a new stage in China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Although the road ahead is still arduous, the road of the Chinese nation's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression has begun to blossom. The fruits of victory that the heroes of Taierzhuang exchanged for blood are gradually showing its strategic significance.