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The Battle of Beiping
The Battle of Beiping
The Battle of Beiping was a major battle of The Second Great War in which the Japanese Army and its allies fought the Chinese Republic for control of the city of Beiping (now Beijing) in northeastern China. The battle took place between 7 December 1937 and 7 December 1938 and was among the largest on the China Front, and was marked by its brutality and disregard for military and civilian casualties. It was amongst the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare with the higher estimates of combined casualties amounting to nearly two million deaths. The outcome was disastrous for China, and created a stalemate in the Northern Front, leading to trench-warfare stasis for several years.
Chinese militia units being rushed to defend Beiping - seen in the characteristic "white" uniform of the militia
The Japanese assault to capture the city began on the dawn of 7 December 1937, nearly a week after the attack on Amoy. This initial assault was rather haphazard, made by tired and disorganized IJA units - on the other hand the city was being defended by disorganized militias. However, entrenched positions and urban combat heavily favoured the NRA militias and this allowed the NRA to triumph in the first round of the long battle.
"...Following this was a long siege which started with the cutting off of Beiping from supplies. The NRA desperately attempted to bring supplies into the Beiping pocket and made efforts to evacuate civilians..."
"...Nonetheless, it was clear by early February that the Qimou port and the other supply methods - while able to supply the Beiping pocket with enough food supplies, could not supply anywhere near enough ammunition - if it was a choice between ammunition or food, Field Marshall Bai Chongxi chose the latter to stop his men and the millions of civilians left in the pocket starving..."
"...With the snow thawing, it was only a matter of time before the Japanese and Manchurian armies would attack again. The Military Council, led by Chiang decided to relieve the pocket immediately, and if possible to hold the city and establish a new line anchored around Beiping."
"...The April Fool Offensive began on April 1 1938. Although the "Spring Storm" offensive was scheduled to begin in June, the IJA successfully cut off the Qimou-Beiping link - bringing an element of urgency to the whole operation and necessitating that the date be bought forward..."
"...The offensive began with a roar of Monster-guns firing ahead to demoralize and confuse the IJA and Manchurian troops. Artillery, mortars and machine guns added to the dim of that clear morning. What remained of China's once proud Tank divisions spearheaded the offensive. Unfortunately, the Japanese had complete air superiority at this point with much of the Chinese Air Force being pulled back to protect the Chinese cities from bombardments. For once the IJA and IJN were able co-operate successfully as IJA planes spotted successfully for IJN Battleships and Heavy Cruisers..."
Destroyed NRA tanks being dragged back for salvage.
"...Although the National Revolutionary Army had made some gains, it was clear merely a week later that this would not be enough. Japanese Naval support and complete air superiority played havoc with the NRA's attempts to move forward... The result was bloody, what remained of the "Elite divisions" had been squandered and lay bloody and broken over the plains of North China... The Tank Armies were also no more, torn apart over open skies by the shells of sea behemoths..."
"...However, Field Marshall Bai Chongxi did not lose hope. He set about fortifying Beiping and preparing for a long and bloody battle..."
Elite Manchurian "Imperial Guards" commanded by Crown Prince Zhang Xueliang was a key part to the reduction of Beiping.
"...The Japanese attack on Beiping began on October 1 1938 with assaults of Manchurian troops. Manchurian elite "Imperial Guards" under the command of Crown Prince Zhang Xueliang fanatically attacked - every day and every night... After being softened up, the Japanese moved in, clearing each city block street by street."
"...By December 7, 1938 - it was clear that resistance was futile. Field Marshall Bai Chongxi lowered the Kuomintang flag from the ruins of the Imperial palace and hoisted a white flag. Japan had won the first major engagement of the Second Great War. What followed was a brutal massacre of the remaining civilians and the surrendered NRA soldiers (although admitedly, the line was blurry in the final days...) In peacetime conditions this would have led to an international outcry - however, events in Europe were rapidly beginning to take up international attention..."
The Battle of Beiping was a major battle of The Second Great War in which the Japanese Army and its allies fought the Chinese Republic for control of the city of Beiping (now Beijing) in northeastern China. The battle took place between 7 December 1937 and 7 December 1938 and was among the largest on the China Front, and was marked by its brutality and disregard for military and civilian casualties. It was amongst the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare with the higher estimates of combined casualties amounting to nearly two million deaths. The outcome was disastrous for China, and created a stalemate in the Northern Front, leading to trench-warfare stasis for several years.
Chinese militia units being rushed to defend Beiping - seen in the characteristic "white" uniform of the militia
The Japanese assault to capture the city began on the dawn of 7 December 1937, nearly a week after the attack on Amoy. This initial assault was rather haphazard, made by tired and disorganized IJA units - on the other hand the city was being defended by disorganized militias. However, entrenched positions and urban combat heavily favoured the NRA militias and this allowed the NRA to triumph in the first round of the long battle.
"...Following this was a long siege which started with the cutting off of Beiping from supplies. The NRA desperately attempted to bring supplies into the Beiping pocket and made efforts to evacuate civilians..."
"...Nonetheless, it was clear by early February that the Qimou port and the other supply methods - while able to supply the Beiping pocket with enough food supplies, could not supply anywhere near enough ammunition - if it was a choice between ammunition or food, Field Marshall Bai Chongxi chose the latter to stop his men and the millions of civilians left in the pocket starving..."
"...With the snow thawing, it was only a matter of time before the Japanese and Manchurian armies would attack again. The Military Council, led by Chiang decided to relieve the pocket immediately, and if possible to hold the city and establish a new line anchored around Beiping."
"...The April Fool Offensive began on April 1 1938. Although the "Spring Storm" offensive was scheduled to begin in June, the IJA successfully cut off the Qimou-Beiping link - bringing an element of urgency to the whole operation and necessitating that the date be bought forward..."
"...The offensive began with a roar of Monster-guns firing ahead to demoralize and confuse the IJA and Manchurian troops. Artillery, mortars and machine guns added to the dim of that clear morning. What remained of China's once proud Tank divisions spearheaded the offensive. Unfortunately, the Japanese had complete air superiority at this point with much of the Chinese Air Force being pulled back to protect the Chinese cities from bombardments. For once the IJA and IJN were able co-operate successfully as IJA planes spotted successfully for IJN Battleships and Heavy Cruisers..."
Destroyed NRA tanks being dragged back for salvage.
"...Although the National Revolutionary Army had made some gains, it was clear merely a week later that this would not be enough. Japanese Naval support and complete air superiority played havoc with the NRA's attempts to move forward... The result was bloody, what remained of the "Elite divisions" had been squandered and lay bloody and broken over the plains of North China... The Tank Armies were also no more, torn apart over open skies by the shells of sea behemoths..."
"...However, Field Marshall Bai Chongxi did not lose hope. He set about fortifying Beiping and preparing for a long and bloody battle..."
Elite Manchurian "Imperial Guards" commanded by Crown Prince Zhang Xueliang was a key part to the reduction of Beiping.
"...The Japanese attack on Beiping began on October 1 1938 with assaults of Manchurian troops. Manchurian elite "Imperial Guards" under the command of Crown Prince Zhang Xueliang fanatically attacked - every day and every night... After being softened up, the Japanese moved in, clearing each city block street by street."
"...By December 7, 1938 - it was clear that resistance was futile. Field Marshall Bai Chongxi lowered the Kuomintang flag from the ruins of the Imperial palace and hoisted a white flag. Japan had won the first major engagement of the Second Great War. What followed was a brutal massacre of the remaining civilians and the surrendered NRA soldiers (although admitedly, the line was blurry in the final days...) In peacetime conditions this would have led to an international outcry - however, events in Europe were rapidly beginning to take up international attention..."
- CCA
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