World War II Database

Near the end of Apr 1939, three Japanese divisions with 100,000 men under the command of General Yasuji Okamura launched simultaneous attacks on the cities of Suizhou and Zaoyang, both transportation choke points in the Hubei Province. The two cities were defended by troops of the Chinese 5th War Area under the command of General Li Zongren. After a series of engagements, Chinese troops fell back beginning on 7 May 1939, losing both Suizhou and Zaoyang on the same day. On 8 May, Japanese troops pushed further south, but was met by a counterattack by the 31st Army Group of the 5th War Area and the 2nd Army Group of the 1st War Area. On 15 May, Japanese troops began to retreat after intense fighting. Chinese troops took back Zaoyang on 19 May and Suixian on 23 May. Both sides suffered considerable casualties, 9,000 for the Chinese and 13,000 for the Japanese.

This battle was later named the Battle of Suixian-Zaoyang. It was sometimes shortened to Battle of Suizao.

Battle of Suixian-Zaoyang Timeline

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