Battle of Pingxingguan
Japanese forces advanced along the Beijing, Baotou railway to Inner Mongolia after capturing Beiping at the end of July 1937. Chiang Kai-shek appointed Shanxi warlord Yan Xishan as Pacification Director of Taiyuan to oversee operations in northern Shanxi. Theoretically, Yan held authority over all Chinese military forces including Lin Biao's 115th Division and Liu Ruming's ex-Kuomintang troops. In reality these forces operated independently from Yan's provincial army. Japanese units moved quickly into Shanxi making use of a railway that Chinese forces did not attempt to destroy. On September 10 the Japanese 5th division captured Yu County while the 16th brigade took Yangquan. The Chinese abandoned Datong on the 13th of September following fierce fighting at Huoshaoling where Lü Chaoran commander of the 423rd regiment was killed. By September 14 the 5th division occupied Guangling County and attacked the Songshushan position by morning. Divisional commander Liu Fengbin personally led four infantry companies to recapture the position but was badly wounded during the engagement. More than half of his troops were killed or wounded before the Chinese army fell back to a line stretching from Yanmen Pass eastward to Pingxingguan.
On the evening of September 22 the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army under Lin Biao and Nie Rongzhen reached Shangzai Town located southeast of Pingxingguan. A narrow defile worn through loess provided no exit for several kilometres except the road itself. To facilitate withdrawal of the Nationalist 73rd Division from Lingqiu County the 115th Division convened a mobilization meeting on September 23 for all officers at company level and higher. The strategy designated the 343rd Brigade's 685th and 686th Regiments to execute the primary offensive while the 344th Brigade's 687th Regiment obstructed reinforcements. The 688th Regiment served as reserve force while cavalry operated between Lingqiu and Guangling to impede Japanese supply lines. That night amidst torrential rain the 343rd Brigade progressed into the Baiyatai region while the main force remained concealed on eastern inclines between Xiaozhai and Laoyemiao. At 7 a.m. on September 25 numerous Japanese military transport trucks traversed the ambush area. This unit comprised around 100 trucks in excess of 200 carts and a contingent of cavalry. Following a barrage of gunfire from rifles and machine guns Chinese forces advanced into the valley for hand-to-hand fighting along the roadway.
Yan Xishan commander of the Second War Zone dismissed a counterattack plan suggested by Chinese general Fu Zuoyi without adequate assessment despite the circumstances. He subsequently commanded a complete withdrawal of Chinese defense forces resulting in total retreat to the Xinkou line. This decision culminated in forfeiture of vital positions such as Yanmen Pass and Pingxingguan to Japanese control. On September 27 the Japanese initiated an offensive against Ruyuekou aided by planes tanks artillery and Mongol auxiliary forces. The defending forces incurred significant casualties and the position was rapidly overwhelmed. Brigade Commander Liang Jiantang successfully reorganized remaining forces and retreated to elevated positions between Ruyuekou and Songjiayao. Subsequently Liang Jiantang and Battalion Commander Chu Shouchang were killed in fighting leading to fall of Songjiayao to Japanese forces. Fewer than one regiment of Chinese forces successfully retreated. On September 29 the county seat of Fanshi succumbed to Japanese forces resulting in substantial breach of Chinese defensive line directly jeopardizing rear of primary battleground at Pingxingguan. Concerned that Japanese may seize route from Ekou to Mount Wutai thereby obstructing his retreat Yan Xishan commanded complete retirement from Yanmen Pass, Pingxingguan line.
The history of Anti-Japanese War recorded that 115th division wiped out battalion of troops and destroyed 80 trucks at Caijiayu and Xiaozhai Village during ambush on September 25. Communists accounts describe Pingxingguan as typical example of Red guerrilla tactics inspired by Mao Zedong conceptualization of people's war. The victory significantly boosted Chinese morale and enhanced Communist Party credibility among populace. CCP leaders frequently cited battle as demonstration of determination and effectiveness resisting Japanese occupation. The history of Anti-Japanese War put ratio of casualties between Japanese and Nationalist armies at 1 to 13.38 after battle. Professor Jiang Keshi believed Eighth Group Army performed much better in battle as 6,000 Eighth Route Army soldiers killed or wounded 240 Japanese soldiers in day compared to 60,000 Shanxi-Suiyuan army soldiers who killed or wounded 1,266 Japanese soldiers in week of fighting. However he also criticized propagandizing of ambush to point negating role of Shanxi-Suiyuan army which fought bloody battles for week at Pingxingguan and Ruyuekou. Japanese army referred to battle against Nationalists as hard battle.
The conflict yielded in excess of 1,000 Japanese losses annihilation of over 100 vehicles and 200 carts seizure of one Type 92 infantry cannon more than 2,000 shells over 20 machine guns in excess of 1,000 rifles and over 50 warhorses. This engagement represented inaugural significant triumph for Chinese forces on frontal battlefield since commencement of full-scale war subsequently referred to as Victory at Pingxingguan. The victory significantly boosted Chinese morale and enhanced Communist Party credibility among populace. CCP leaders frequently cited battle as demonstration of determination and effectiveness resisting Japanese occupation. On September 27 the Japanese initiated offensive against Ruyuekou aided by planes tanks artillery and Mongol auxiliary forces. The defending forces incurred significant casualties and position was rapidly overwhelmed. Brigade Commander Liang Jiantang successfully reorganized remaining forces and retreated to elevated positions between Ruyuekou and Songjiayao. Subsequently Liang Jiantang and Battalion Commander Chu Shouchang were killed in fighting leading to fall of Songjiayao to Japanese forces. Fewer than one regiment of Chinese forces successfully retreated.
Pingxingguan battlefield site which encompasses Laoyemiao classified in 1961 as one of inaugural Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at National Level in China. It emerged as one of earliest acknowledged heritage sites of Anti-Japanese War. Primary scenic area comprises five essential zones: Pingxingguan Pass Battle Memorial Hall Qiaogou major battlefield Laoyemiao and Dengfengmiao. Multiple phases of focused conservation initiatives executed to maintain and rehabilitate historical integrity of site. In 2014 National Cultural Heritage Administration spent 5.98 million yuan reconstructing Pingxingguan gate city in architectural style of Ming Dynasty drawing inspiration from Yanmen Pass and Niangzi Pass therefore reconstructing military fortification obliterated in 1939. In 2017 extra 3.5 million yuan allocated for restoration of 11 sites including Laoyemiao battlefield and signal towers along with enhancements surrounding environment. Memorial monument established at Qiaogou battlefield while structural enhancements conducted at Laoyemiao site. A commemorative stamp issued by People's Republic of China in July 1952 marked 15th anniversary of War of Resistance Against Japan.
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Common questions
When did the Battle of Pingxingguan take place?
The Battle of Pingxingguan occurred on the 25th of September 1937. Chinese forces under Lin Biao and Nie Rongzhen ambushed Japanese military transport trucks in a narrow defile near Shangzai Town that morning.
Who commanded the Eighth Route Army during the Battle of Pingxingguan?
Lin Biao and Nie Rongzhen led the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army during the battle. They coordinated the ambush strategy while Yan Xishan held nominal authority over all Chinese military forces in northern Shanxi.
What were the results of the Battle of Pingxingguan for Chinese forces?
Chinese forces wiped out a battalion of Japanese troops and destroyed more than 80 trucks along with 200 carts at Caijiayu and Xiaozhai Village. The victory significantly boosted Chinese morale and enhanced Communist Party credibility among the populace.
How many Japanese soldiers died during the Battle of Pingxingguan?
The conflict yielded in excess of 1,000 Japanese losses including annihilation of over 100 vehicles and seizure of one Type 92 infantry cannon. Professor Jiang Keshi believed 6,000 Eighth Route Army soldiers killed or wounded 240 Japanese soldiers on September 25.
When was the Pingxingguan battlefield site designated as a protected historical area?
The Pingxingguan battlefield site encompassing Laoyemiao was classified in 1961 as one of the inaugural Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at National Level in China. It emerged as one of the earliest acknowledged heritage sites of the Anti-Japanese War.