Battle of South Henan

Battle of South Henan Part of the Second Sino-Japanese War Date 30 January – 1 March 1941 Location South Henan Result Chinese victory Belligerents National Revolutionary Army, China Imperial Japanese Army, Japan Commanders and leaders Li Zongren Waichiro Sonobe Strength 5th War Area: 2nd, 31st, 33rd Army Groups, 2nd Army, 36th Corps, 15th Separate Brigade, 14th Artillery Regiment, 4th Separate Engineer Battalion 11th Army: 3rd, 4th, 15th, 17th, 39th, 40th Divisions, 18th Independent Mixed Brigade, 3 Tank Regiments, 1 Separate Heavy Artillery Regiment, 100 Planes Casualties and losses unknown unknown Chinese source: 9,000 killed and wounded[1]

The Battle of South Henan (simplified Chinese: 豫南会战; traditional Chinese: 豫南會戰; pinyin: Yùnán Huìzhàn), was one of the 22 major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army (NRA) and Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. This battle was the first time the NRA engaged the Japanese in southern Henan.

In January 1941, the Japanese 11th Army split into three routes to attack the Chinese positions. Their main objective was to eradicate Chinese control of the Ping-Han Railway's southern section. Li Zongren, commander of the Chinese 5th War Area, avoided frontal contact with the Japanese as much as possible. Instead, he fought conservatively, diverting his main forces towards the two flanks. Outflanked, the Japanese retreated after taking heavy casualties, and their attack was repelled.

Order of Battle: Battle of South Henan

References

1. Baike Baidu Encyclopedia Article: The Battle of South Henan http://baike.baidu.com/view/251289.htm

Coordinates: 33°50′00″N 113°30′00″E / 33.8333°N 113.5000°E