WW2/Battles of WW2/Date-by-Date/China – Second Sino-Japanese War • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
The largest battle of the Sino-Japanese War by troops engaged — a months-long defense of the wartime capital that, though it ultimately fell, exhausted Japan's offensive momentum. (June – October 1938)
Chronological Storyline (18 Milestones)
Jun 11, 1938 CE
Battle of Wuhan begins
The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters launched a full-scale offensive toward Wuhan, deploying over 350,000 troops. The Chinese military, commanded by Chiang Kai-shek, mobilized over one million soldiers to defend the city. Source — Wikipedia:
The Battle of Wuhan (1938) – China’s Largest Battle of WWIIChinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Jun 12, 1938 CE
Japanese capture Anqing
Japanese forces of the 11th Army seized the city of Anqing along the Yangtze River, marking the formal opening of the Wuhan campaign. This capture provided a critical staging ground for further advances upstream. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Jun 15, 1938 CE
Battle of Lanfeng
Chinese forces engaged the Japanese 14th Division near Lanfeng in Henan province. The Chinese attempted to encircle the Japanese forces but were ultimately forced to retreat. Source — Wikipedia:
Jun 26, 1938 CE
Fall of Madang Fortress
After days of intense fighting, Japanese naval forces breached the Madang fortress defenses on the Yangtze River. The loss of this key chokepoint accelerated the Japanese advance toward Wuhan. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Jun 29, 1938 CE
Japanese take Pengze
Japanese troops captured Pengze, continuing their methodical advance along the Yangtze River. Chinese defenders conducted rearguard actions to delay the Japanese 11th Army. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Jul 4, 1938 CE
Battle of Jiujiang begins
Japanese forces launched an assault on Jiujiang, a critical transportation hub south of the Yangtze. Chinese defenders fortified the area to prevent the Japanese from outflanking Wuhan. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Jul 23, 1938 CE
Japanese land at Xingzi
Japanese forces executed an amphibious landing at Xingzi, threatening the southern approaches to Wuhan. This maneuver forced Chinese forces to stretch their defensive lines further. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Jul 26, 1938 CE
Fall of Jiujiang
Japanese forces captured Jiujiang after heavy fighting, securing a vital base for operations south of the Yangtze River. The Chinese retreat was complicated by difficult terrain and poor logistics. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Aug 3, 1938 CE
Battle of Huangmei
Chinese forces launched a counteroffensive at Huangmei against the Japanese 6th Division. The Chinese temporarily halted the Japanese advance but suffered heavy casualties. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Aug 11, 1938 CE
Battle of Ruichang
Japanese forces attacked Ruichang, aiming to secure the southern railway line to Wuhan. Chinese defenders held the line for weeks, inflicting significant losses on the Japanese. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Aug 24, 1938 CE
Fall of Ruichang
After prolonged resistance, Chinese forces withdrew from Ruichang, allowing the Japanese to advance further toward Wuhan. The capture opened the southern route for the Japanese 11th Army. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Sep 1, 1938 CE
Battle of Songhu
Japanese forces engaged Chinese defenders at Songhu, continuing their push along the northern bank of the Yangtze River. The fighting was characterized by intense artillery duels and infantry charges. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Sep 15, 1938 CE
Battle of Shangji
Chinese forces ambushed Japanese troops near Shangji, temporarily slowing the Japanese advance. This engagement demonstrated the effectiveness of Chinese guerrilla tactics in the region. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Sep 29, 1938 CE
Fall of Tianjia Town
Japanese forces captured the strategic Tianjia Town, a key defensive position on the Yangtze River. The fall of this fortress cleared the last major river obstacle before Wuhan. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Oct 12, 1938 CE
Japanese capture Xinyang
Japanese forces of the 2nd Army captured Xinyang, severing the Pinghan Railway and isolating Wuhan from northern supply routes. This capture effectively trapped Chinese forces defending Wuhan. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Oct 21, 1938 CE
Fall of Guangzhou
Japanese forces captured Guangzhou, severing the last major supply route to Wuhan via the Yuehan Railway. This strategic loss made the defense of Wuhan untenable for the Chinese military. Source — Wikipedia:
Oct 24, 1938 CE
Chinese forces withdraw from Wuhan
Chiang Kai-shek ordered the evacuation of Chinese forces from Wuhan as Japanese troops encircled the city. The withdrawal was conducted in an orderly fashion to preserve Chinese military strength. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
Oct 26, 1938 CE
Japanese capture Wuhan
Japanese forces entered Wuhan, securing control of the city after nearly five months of intense combat. The battle resulted in massive casualties on both sides but failed to destroy Chinese resistance. Source — Wikipedia:
Chinese machine gun nest in the outskirts of the Wuhan area during the en:Battle of Wuhan. (Chinese: 武汉外围战斗。 By 唐古樵 - Chinese machine gun position, near Wuhan, circa August–October 1938，WWII Database 曹聚仁、舒宗侨编. 中国抗战画史. 1947: p. 10, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=437312
