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(2) The Third Battle of Changsha

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mainsite_psd_kangzhansan02_7

Japan attempted to capture Changsha (長沙) twice but failed. In October 1941, the Tojo Hideki cabinet was established, who took Japanese aggression to another level. In December 1941, Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour triggered the Pacific War. From the 24th of the same month until 16 January 1942, Japan launched a third invasion on Changsha. Approximately 120,000 soldiers were led by Anamim Korechika, the commander of the Second Battle of Changsha. The 9th War Zone Commander Xue Yue (薛岳) led 300,000 soldiers in the defence of the city.

The Japanese methodically unleashed onslaughts from the north, the east, and the south of the city. Their watchword was to celebrate new year at the heart of Changsha. However, the National Revolutionary Army (NRA) took advantage of the local geography, lured the enemy in deep, and encircled them. In a telegram, Xue wrote, “If the commander is killed, the Deputy Commander Luo Zhuoying (羅卓英) shall take over his duties.” He ordered the 10th Corps to “defend Changsha, never retreat”. Led by Commanding Officer Li Yutang (李玉堂), the 10th Corps was determined to give their last breath to defend Changsha and the battle ended in Japanese withdrawal. The Chinese records showed a casualty figure of over 28,000 on the NRA’s side and over 50,000 on the Japanese side (6,000 casualties in Japanese reports). The Third Battle of Changsha marked the Allies’ first victory since the outbreak of the Pacific War. It was also the first victory in the counterattack phase of China’s War of Resistance, boosting the public’s faith in the ultimate defeat of Japan.

Did Japan give up on the city after failing three Battles of Changsha?

See answer below.

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The Third Battle of Changsha was imminent in December 1941. The photo shows civilians evacuating the city before the conflict.

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                                     The NRA was ready for combat. The photo shows an artillery unit on Yuelu Mountain (岳麓山), Changsha.

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Notable NRA commanding officers in the Third Battle of Changsha. From left to right: Xue Yue, the Commander of the 9th War Zone, Luo Zhuoying, the Deputy Commander of the 9th War Zone, Li Yutang, the Commander of the 10th Corps, Fang Xianjue (方先覺), the Commander of the Reserve 10th Division of the 10th Corps, Ge Xiancai (葛先才), the Commander of the 30th Battalion of the Reserve 10th Division of the 10th Corps. The valiant 10th Corps played a key role in the successful defence of Changsha.

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Left: Anami Korechika led the Japanese forces during the Second and the Third Battle of Changsha. Middle: the Japanese forces during the Third Battle of Changsha. Right: a letter from the Japanese to the 9th War Zone Commander Xue Yue reads, “We advise Commander Xue Yue and all Chinese officers that your resistance would be futile.”

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The NRA firing at the Japanese forces with machine guns in the Third Battle of Changsha.

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mainsite_psd_kangzhansan02_6

The NRA defeated the Japanese in the Third Battle of Changsha. Left and Middle: the NRA in combat. Right: the NRA pursuing the Japanese in Changsha.

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The Japanese troops was forced to break out the NRA’s encirclement and withdraw during the battle. Left: the NRA conducting a body count after the Third Battle of Changsha in January 1942. The Japanese corpses indicated that the Japanese were severely outfought, as they usually would not leave killed fellow soldiers behind. Right: the war trophy dedicated to Wang Chonghui (王寵惠), the Secretary General of the Chinese Supreme Defence Council, by Xue Yue. Records of the Japanese body count from the Third Battle of Changsha listed 56,994 casualties, including 23,003 wounded and 33,941 died.

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       The NRA collecting abandoned Japanese military equipment on the battlefield of the Third Battle of Changsha.

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mainsite_psd_kangzhansan02_9

The NRA captured a considerable number of war prisoners and enemy weapons. China’s victory was the Allies’ first since the outbreak of the Pacific War and was highly recognised by the Allied powers.

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The command post of the 9th War Zone during the Third Battle of Changsha was a bomb shelter. It witnessed the heroic struggle of the NRA.

 Did Japan give up on Changsha after failing three Battles of Changsha?

Despite the NRA’s strenuous resistance, China lost ground in a series of battles in Beiping (北平)-Tianjin (天津), Shanghai (上海), Tai'erzhuang (台兒莊), and Wuhan (武漢). Meanwhile, Changsha in central China remained a stronghold and endured three attacks. However, Japan’s Operation Ichi-Go (豫湘桂會戰) in 1944 eventually routed China and occupied Changsha after the NRA’s seven years of defence. One part of the Operation Ichi-Go, which took place in Hunan Province (湖南), was known as the Campaign of Changsha-Hengyang (衡陽). Its first phase was the Fourth Battle of Changsha (27 May 1944-18 June 1944) when Changsha fell on the 18 June 1944 afternoon.

Source of most photos used in this feature piece: Fotoe and misc. photo sources.

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