When did the Battle of Taierzhuang take place?
The Battle of Taierzhuang took place from March 19 to the 7th of April 1938. Japanese forces began their advance on the walled town of Taierzhuang on March 19 and the Japanese line collapsed on April 7.
Questions about Battle of Taierzhuang
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who commanded Chinese forces during the Battle of Taierzhuang?
Li Zongren personally oversaw operations at the Battle of Taierzhuang and threatened Tang Enbo with severe consequences for failure. Tang Enbo led the 20th Corps which attacked Japanese forces in Yixian and turned south to attack the Japanese flank northeast of Taierzhuang.
How many Japanese soldiers died in the Battle of Taierzhuang?
Frank Dorn recorded that some 16,000 Japanese soldiers were killed in action on the Taierzhuang battlefield. American historian Stephen MacKinnon estimates between 15,000 and 20,000 Japanese troops died in the fighting while British historian Rana Mitter provides a lower number estimating roughly 8,000 Japanese soldiers died.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Taierzhuang for China?
The defeat was a significant blow to the Japanese military as it marked the first major Japanese defeat since the beginning of the war. Li Zongren stated the victory became a symbol of national renaissance and described it as the first happy occasion since the war of resistance had started.
Where did the fighting occur during the Battle of Taierzhuang?
Fighting inside Taierzhuang's streets and alleys characterized the battle with fierce close quarters combat similar to costly urban battles Europe would soon see. The Imperial Army pursued retreating Chinese army northwards into Jiangsu, Shandong, and Henan provinces before converging at Xuzhou.