Battle of Taiyuan

• 1. Strategic Context And Prelude

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  The Marco Polo Bridge incident erupted in July 1937, igniting a wider war between China and Japan. By the end of that month, Japanese North China Area Army forces under Lieutenant General Kiyoshi Katsuki stood at the outskirts of Beiping. The army advanced southwards along primary rail lines during August and September 1937. This offensive moved westward through Nan Pass into Shanxi province. A strategic halt occurred near the Yellow River close to Jinan on the border of Shandong province. Resources were diverted to the Shanghai front requiring three divisions and the Manchuria front needing one division. Governor Han Fuju of Shandong initially faced potential alignment with the Japanese. Local authorities in Qingdao purchased 10,000 gallons of kerosene for destruction operations on December 29 and 30. Han Fuju later chose not to fight against the advancing Japanese troops. Chiang Kai-shek ordered his execution for this failure. The Japanese occupation of Qingdao proceeded without opposition.

• 2. The Pingxing Pass Ambush

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  Lieutenant General Itagaki issued orders on September 21 directing the 21st Infantry Brigade toward Dayingzhen from Lingqiu. Heavy resistance met the Miura Detachment near Pingxing Pass on September 22. Chinese forces deployed around 60,000 to 70,000 men along the Great Wall line connecting Pingxing Pass, Yanmen Pass, and Shenchi. The Communist Party dispatched the 18th Group Army to Shanxi Province in mid-September under Lin Biao. The 115th Division advanced east of Pingxing Pass to undertake a diversionary offensive. On September 25, Chinese reinforcements under Fu Zuoyi counterattacked at Pingxing Pass. They encircled the Miura Detachment while the 115th Division ambushed supply units between Xiaohan Village and Guankou Village. A logistics motorized company returning to Lingqiu was targeted alongside a large baggage train of the 21st Infantry Regiment. Almost all targeted forces were annihilated with recorded casualties ranging from 150 to 240 Japanese soldiers. Itagaki ordered the 42nd Infantry Regiment to advance rapidly after learning of the critical situation on September 25.

• 3. Defense Of The Outer Lines

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  Chiang Kai-shek ordered two armies plus a Corps and division to defend Ladies Pass on October 8. Defenders mounted a 35-mile defensive line just east of a spur of the Great Wall. Shijiazhuang fell on October 10 allowing the Japanese 20th Division to attack the defensive line. Four days later the Japanese broke through outer defenses but advanced too fast and became surrounded by Chinese troops and guerrillas. The Japanese held their ground despite severe losses before retreating back to Ladies Pass on October 22. The Japanese 109th Division reinforced the 20th Division on October 27 launching a two-pronged attack against the pass. The Chinese 3rd Corps retreated from its positions to Pingding 20 miles away when encirclement seemed likely. This resulted in an open path to Taiyuan for both the 20th and 109th Japanese Divisions. On October 13 the Japanese 5th Division attacked defenses north of Taiyuan supported by air and heavy artillery bombardments. Chinese defenders entrenched themselves in prepared fortifications holding off the enemy for ten days in fierce hand-to-hand fighting.

• 4. Fall Of Taiyuan City

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  Japanese forces ripped through Chinese lines on October 23 during the Battle of Blue Dragon Ridge. Chinese units conducted an orderly retreat taking up positions atop high ground 20 miles north of Taiyuan. The Tungshan fort controlled the eastern half of Chinese defenses with its height. Japanese engineers tunneled under Tungshan on November 2 setting off charges beneath it. A massive explosion destroyed the key bastion and its entire garrison. By November 3, Chinese troops withdrew to final positions 5 miles north of Taiyuan. The Left Flank Army crossed the Fen River dispersing into mountains to the west. Some 30,000 of Yan Xishan's troops were lost holding the hills. In early November, Japanese attacks targeted last defense positions north of Taiyuan. The 20th and 109th Divisions flanked the city having marched unopposed to the area. Taiyuan came under assault from the north, east, and southeast by November 7. Most Chinese troops evacuated the city in a disorganized mob that morning. Local commanders refused demands to surrender issued by Japanese forces.

• 5. Commanders And Forces Involved

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  Hisaichi Terauchi commanded the Japanese Northern China Area Army throughout the campaign. Elements of the Kwantung Army and Inner Mongolian Army led by Demchugdongrub joined the offensive. Chinese forces included the Shanxi Army (2nd Area Army) gathering along the Nei Jangcheng Line. Wei Lihuang commanded the 14th Army Group while Fu Zuoyi led the 7th Army Group. Zhu De directed the Eighth Route Army of the Chinese Communist Party under the Second United Front alliance. Lieutenant General Itagaki commanded the 5th Division during key engagements. Lin Biao led the 115th Division which executed the ambush at Pingxing Pass. Yang Aiyuan commanded the 6th Group Army deployed around 60,000 to 70,000 men. Chiang Kai-shek ordered two armies plus a Corps and division to defend Ladies Pass on October 8. The Japanese 20th Division attacked defensive lines after Shijiazhuang fell on October 10.

• 6. Human Cost And Aftermath

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  The Imperial Japanese Army and Kwantung Army suffered a total of 1,506 casualties in the operation including mixed brigades and attached units. Some 30,000 of Yan Xishan's troops were lost holding Blue Dragon Ridge hills. The Chinese army recorded suffering 6,725 casualties defending Taiyuan city itself. Tens of thousands of civilians were killed and injured during the final assault. Most of the city had been destroyed in the fighting by November 9. Panicking Chinese soldiers shoved civilians off the Fen River bridge to make room for themselves during the rout. Those still jammed in the southwest gate and sole bridge were strafed and bombed by Japanese planes killing countless people. By November 10, the Japanese pushed to Pingyao 55 miles south of Taiyuan wiping out last resistance. The battle effectively ended large-scale organized resistance in the North China area. Occupation gave Japan access to coal from Datong but exposed them to guerrilla attacks tying down many troops.