Beiping–Hankou Railway Operation

Peiking – Hankow Railway Operation
Part of the Second Sino-Japanese War
Date August – December 1937 Location Beijing-Hankou Railway Result Japanese victory
Belligerents
Empire of Japan, North China Area Army, 1st Army, 2nd Army	China, National Revolutionary Army
Commanders and leaders
Hisaichi Terauchi, Kiyoshi Katsuki, Toshizō Nishio	Song Zheyuan
Units involved
5th division 6th division 14th division 16th division 20th division 108th division 109th division Kawabe brigade[1]	29th Route Army
Strength
78000	?
Casualties and losses
?	?

Action

The Japanese 京漢線作戦 or Beiping–Hankou Railway Operation (Mid August – Dec. 1937) was a follow up to the Battle of Beiping–Tianjin of the Japanese army in North China at the beginning of the 2nd Sino-Japanese War, fought simultaneously with Tianjin–Pukou Railway Operation. The Beiping–Hankou Railway Operation was not authorized by the Imperial General Headquarters. The Japanese advanced to the south along the Beiping–Hankou Railway until the Yellow River, capturing Linfen 36°04′59″N 111°31′01″E / 36.083°N 111.517°E along the way. After the Imperial General Headquarters have wrestled control over troops from local commanders, the majority of participating Japanese units were transferred to participate in the concurrent Battle of Taiyuan. These units were replaced by newly formed 108th and 109th divisions.

Aftermath

After the stalemate at Yellow River from December 1937 to March 1938, the fighting resumed resulting in Battle of Xuzhou.

References

1. Japanese Forces Operating along the Northern Sector of Peiping-Hankow Railway Mid-August, 1937