Battle of Western Hubei

Introduction to the Battle of Western Hubei From May 5 to June 10, 1943, the Battle of Western Hubei broke out and lasted for 37 days. The battlefield covered Yichang, Shipai, Yuyangguan and other western Hubei areas. It was a key defensive battle in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and an outpost of the Battle of Changde. Background: China's Sixth Theater (Chen Cheng/Sun Lianzhong) has 140,000 to 150,000 people against the Japanese 11th Army (Yokoyama Isamu), which has 60,000 to 70,000 people. The Japanese army attempted to open up the Yangtze River waterway and threaten Chongqing; the Chinese army stood firm and defended the Chongqing barrier. The process: The Japanese army attacked in different directions on May 5, and captured Yuyang Pass on the 12th; on the 24th, the core battle of Shipai began, and 10,000 people from the 11th Division of the 18th Army (Hu Lian) defended the throat of the Three Gorges. Hu Lian's suicide note stated that "although success is not guaranteed, Cheng Ren is indeed determined" and repelled many Japanese charges. On May 31, the Japanese army retreated due to supply difficulties. The Chinese army counterattacked and regained the lost ground on June 10. Result: The Chinese army suffered about 23,000 casualties, and the Japanese army suffered about 11,000 casualties (Japan admitted 3,500). The Japanese army's attempt to advance westward was shattered. Significance: The Battle of Shipai is known as the "Stalingrad of the East". It was the first time to successfully block the Japanese mechanized troops in the mountainous area and gain preparation time for the Changde Battle. Today, there is a monument to the Anti-Japanese War in Shipai Village, and the documentary "The Battle of Shipai" recreates the heroism. "History of China's Anti-Japanese War" commented that it had "extremely high strategic value and was a rare defensive victory in the late period of the Anti-Japanese War."