WW2/Battles of WW2/Date-by-Date/China – Second Sino-Japanese War • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
Four separate battles for the strategic city of Changsha, where Chinese forces under Xue Yue repelled three Japanese offensives before the city finally fell in 1944. (1939–1944 (four battles))
Chronological Storyline (18 Milestones)
Sep 14, 1939 CE
Japanese launch first Changsha offensive
General Yasuji Okamura's Japanese 11th Army attacked from northern Hunan, aiming to eliminate Chinese forces and seize Changsha, initiating the first major battle for the city. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Changsha
IJA soldiers during the battle of Changsha, September 1939 By Imperial Japanese Army - http://news.qingdaonews.com/zonghe/2014-07/07/content_10556148_all.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37607523The Battle of Changsha: China’s Stunning WWII Victory That Changed the War | Rare Restored Footage
Sep 23, 1939 CE
Japanese break Xiang River defenses
Japanese forces breached Chinese defensive lines along the Xiang River, pushing toward Changsha but stretching their supply lines in the face of determined resistance. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Changsha
IJA soldiers during the battle of Changsha, September 1939 By Imperial Japanese Army - http://news.qingdaonews.com/zonghe/2014-07/07/content_10556148_all.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37607523
Sep 28, 1939 CE
Xue Yue deploys heaven furnace tactics
General Xue Yue implemented elastic defense tactics, luring Japanese forces deep into the Changsha area before encircling them, a strategy that would define the successful defenses. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xue_Yue
薛岳将军 By The original uploader was 守望者爱孟 at Chinese Wikipedia. - http://military.china.com/history4/62/20110906/16752526.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28187190
Oct 1, 1939 CE
Chinese counteroffensive forces withdrawal
Chinese forces launched a major counteroffensive against overextended Japanese positions, forcing the 11th Army to retreat northward and securing the first Chinese victory at Changsha. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Changsha
IJA soldiers during the battle of Changsha, September 1939 By Imperial Japanese Army - http://news.qingdaonews.com/zonghe/2014-07/07/content_10556148_all.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37607523
Oct 6, 1939 CE
First Battle of Changsha concludes
Japanese forces completed their withdrawal to pre-battle positions, ending the first battle with a significant Chinese defensive victory that boosted national morale. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Changsha
IJA soldiers during the battle of Changsha, September 1939 By Imperial Japanese Army - http://news.qingdaonews.com/zonghe/2014-07/07/content_10556148_all.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37607523
Sep 6, 1941 CE
Japanese initiate second Changsha offensive
The Japanese 11th Army launched a second offensive toward Changsha, massing over 100,000 troops to break Chinese resistance in Hunan province. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Changsha
第一次長沙作戦で対岸の国府軍と交戦する第四師団の兵士。湖南省新市南方の同楽橋附近にて、昭和16年9月22～23日頃。 A soldier of the IJA 4th Division firing type 92 heavy machine gun during the 1st round of Chángshā operation. Near Miluo river (汨水), Húnán Province, China. By Unknown author - シリーズ1億人の昭和史 『日本の戦史4』 （毎日新聞社 昭和54年発行） 140頁, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4666299
Sep 24, 1941 CE
Japanese forces enter Changsha
Japanese troops broke through Chinese defensive lines and entered Changsha, temporarily occupying the city amid fierce street fighting against Chinese defenders. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Changsha
第一次長沙作戦で対岸の国府軍と交戦する第四師団の兵士。湖南省新市南方の同楽橋附近にて、昭和16年9月22～23日頃。 A soldier of the IJA 4th Division firing type 92 heavy machine gun during the 1st round of Chángshā operation. Near Miluo river (汨水), Húnán Province, China. By Unknown author - シリーズ1億人の昭和史 『日本の戦史4』 （毎日新聞社 昭和54年発行） 140頁, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4666299
Sep 28, 1941 CE
Xue Yue encircles Japanese in Changsha
General Xue Yue's forces executed envelopment maneuvers, cutting Japanese supply lines and surrounding the attackers in and around Changsha, forcing them to fight on multiple fronts. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Changsha
第一次長沙作戦で対岸の国府軍と交戦する第四師団の兵士。湖南省新市南方の同楽橋附近にて、昭和16年9月22～23日頃。 A soldier of the IJA 4th Division firing type 92 heavy machine gun during the 1st round of Chángshā operation. Near Miluo river (汨水), Húnán Province, China. By Unknown author - シリーズ1億人の昭和史 『日本の戦史4』 （毎日新聞社 昭和54年発行） 140頁, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4666299
Oct 1, 1941 CE
Japanese retreat from Changsha
Facing encirclement and supply shortages, Japanese forces began withdrawing from Changsha, suffering significant casualties during the retreat under Chinese pressure. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Changsha
第一次長沙作戦で対岸の国府軍と交戦する第四師団の兵士。湖南省新市南方の同楽橋附近にて、昭和16年9月22～23日頃。 A soldier of the IJA 4th Division firing type 92 heavy machine gun during the 1st round of Chángshā operation. Near Miluo river (汨水), Húnán Province, China. By Unknown author - シリーズ1億人の昭和史 『日本の戦史4』 （毎日新聞社 昭和54年発行） 140頁, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4666299
Oct 8, 1941 CE
Second Battle of Changsha ends
Japanese forces completed their withdrawal, ending the second battle with another Chinese victory, though both sides suffered heavy casualties in the fighting. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Changsha
第一次長沙作戦で対岸の国府軍と交戦する第四師団の兵士。湖南省新市南方の同楽橋附近にて、昭和16年9月22～23日頃。 A soldier of the IJA 4th Division firing type 92 heavy machine gun during the 1st round of Chángshā operation. Near Miluo river (汨水), Húnán Province, China. By Unknown author - シリーズ1億人の昭和史 『日本の戦史4』 （毎日新聞社 昭和54年発行） 140頁, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4666299
Dec 24, 1941 CE
Third Changsha offensive begins
The Japanese 11th Army launched a third offensive toward Changsha, partly to relieve pressure from Allied operations in the Pacific following Pearl Harbor. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Battle_of_Changsha
1942-01. THE CHINESE VICTORY AT CHANGSHA. AT CHANGSHA A CHINESE SOLDIER MOUNTS HIS SUBMACHINE GUN. HE IS ONE OF THE GROUND STAFF. THE PLANE IS A PART OF A NETHERLANDS FIGHTER SQUADRON IN MALAYA. By Australian War Memorial - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12003123
Jan 1, 1942 CE
Japanese assault Changsha defenses
Japanese forces attacked Chinese fortifications at Changsha, meeting fierce resistance from Xue Yue's defenders who had prepared extensive defensive positions within and around the city. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Battle_of_Changsha
1942-01. THE CHINESE VICTORY AT CHANGSHA. AT CHANGSHA A CHINESE SOLDIER MOUNTS HIS SUBMACHINE GUN. HE IS ONE OF THE GROUND STAFF. THE PLANE IS A PART OF A NETHERLANDS FIGHTER SQUADRON IN MALAYA. By Australian War Memorial - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12003123
Jan 4, 1942 CE
Chinese counterattack traps Japanese forces
Xue Yue's forces launched a decisive counteroffensive, encircling Japanese units near Changsha and cutting their retreat routes, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Battle_of_Changsha
1942-01. THE CHINESE VICTORY AT CHANGSHA. AT CHANGSHA A CHINESE SOLDIER MOUNTS HIS SUBMACHINE GUN. HE IS ONE OF THE GROUND STAFF. THE PLANE IS A PART OF A NETHERLANDS FIGHTER SQUADRON IN MALAYA. By Australian War Memorial - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12003123
Jan 15, 1942 CE
Third Battle of Changsha concludes
Japanese forces completed a costly withdrawal, ending the third battle as a major Chinese victory that drew Allied praise and boosted morale across the China-Burma-India theater. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Battle_of_Changsha
1942-01. THE CHINESE VICTORY AT CHANGSHA. AT CHANGSHA A CHINESE SOLDIER MOUNTS HIS SUBMACHINE GUN. HE IS ONE OF THE GROUND STAFF. THE PLANE IS A PART OF A NETHERLANDS FIGHTER SQUADRON IN MALAYA. By Australian War Memorial - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12003123
May 27, 1944 CE
Japanese launch Operation Ichi-Go toward Changsha
As part of the massive Operation Ichi-Go, the Japanese 11th Army launched a renewed offensive toward Changsha with overwhelming force, aiming to open a continental railway corridor. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ichi-Go
A map of the Japanese Plan for Operation Ichi-Go. The region name "Mongolia" on the top right corner was a mistake, it should have been written as "Manchuria". By U.S. Army Military History Institute - http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-C-ChinaD/ [1], Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2961304
Jun 1, 1944 CE
Japanese forces approach Changsha
Japanese forces advanced through Hunan province, threatening Changsha's outer defenses as Chinese units under Xue Yue prepared to defend the city for a fourth time. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Battle_of_Changsha
Chinese Army fought at West Hupei to protect their motherland in WWII. By Unknown author - 中华民国史画, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6002520
Jun 16, 1944 CE
Japanese breach Changsha's western defenses
Japanese forces broke through Chinese defensive positions west of the Xiang River, threatening to split the defenders and isolate Changsha's garrison from reinforcing units. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Battle_of_Changsha
Chinese Army fought at West Hupei to protect their motherland in WWII. By Unknown author - 中华民国史画, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6002520
Jun 18, 1944 CE
Changsha falls to Japanese forces
After overwhelming Chinese defenses with superior numbers and coordination, Japanese forces captured Changsha, ending the city's streak of three successful Chinese defenses under Xue Yue. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Battle_of_Changsha
Chinese Army fought at West Hupei to protect their motherland in WWII. By Unknown author - 中华民国史画, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6002520
