In the spring of 1938, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression entered a white-hot stage. The Battle of Taierzhuang was in full swing, and the two sides launched a fierce contest on this land. At this critical moment, a little-known battle was quietly staged in Crouching Tiger Village. Why would the Japanese send an elite squadron deep behind enemy lines? And how did the Chinese army wipe it out in just one day? What is even more shocking is why more than 20 Japanese soldiers were buried alive in the end? What is the strategic significance behind this battle? Let's unveil the mystery of the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village and explore this long-forgotten history.
Everyone in the world knows about the victory of Taierzhuang, but few people know that behind this famous battle, there is also a thrilling small encounter. Although the scale of this battle was small, it also reflected the indomitable spirit of the Chinese army and made an indelible contribution to the victory of the Battle of Taierzhuang.
In March 1938, in order to open up the Jinpu line, the Japanese army concentrated heavy troops to attack Taierzhuang. At that time, Taierzhuang, located at the junction of Shandong, Suzhou, Henan and Anhui provinces, was an important hub on the Tianjin-Pudong Railway. Whoever can control Erzhuang will be able to grasp the strategic initiative in North China and East China. The Japanese army was determined to do so, while the Chinese army defended the land to the death.
Just as the main forces of the two sides were in the midst of fierce fighting, a small village with an unknown name attracted the attention of the Japanese army. The village, called Wohu Village, is located near the town of Lanling, about 30 kilometers north of Taierzhuang. Although Crouching Tiger Village is just an ordinary village, its geographical location is quite strategic. The village is nestled between two small rocky hills, with an open wheat field in front of it and an excellent view. If they could control it, the Japanese would be able to monitor the movements of the Chinese army and provide intelligence support to the main force.
The commanders of the Japanese Itagaki Division had long coveted this. They believed that if a forward position could be established in Crouching Tiger Village, it would not only provide cover for the Isogu Division attacking Taierzhuang, but also block possible reinforcements from the Chinese army. So, they secretly made a plan: send an elite squadron to quietly occupy Crouching Tiger Village at night.
Late at night on March 29, a reinforced squadron of 300 Japanese troops quietly approached Crouching Tiger Village. This unit was subordinate to the Katano Wing of the Itagaki Division and was a well-trained elite force. They carried ample weapons and ammunition and prepared to build a strong stronghold in Crouching Tiger Village.
However, this move of the Japanese army did not escape the eyes of the Chinese army. Crouching Tiger Village happens to be located in the area of activity of the 145th Regiment of the 25th Division of the 52nd Chinese Army. The scouts of the 145 regiment soon discovered the unusual actions of the Japanese army and immediately reported it to their superiors.
The 145 regiment at that time had just experienced a terrible battle. In the Battle of the Zhanghe River a month earlier, the regiment suffered heavy losses, with two-thirds of its veterans killed or seriously wounded. Although 2,500 recruits were later replenished, most of them had no actual combat experience, and some did not even fully master basic combat skills.
In the face of such a disparity in the strength of the Japanese elite troops, how should the 145th Regiment respond? Do you avoid it, or do you rise to the challenge? The head of the regiment, Han Meicun, was faced with a difficult choice.
At this moment, Guan Linzheng, the commander of the 52nd Army, made a bold decision. He ordered the 145th Regiment to immediately launch an attack on Crouching Tiger Village, and be sure to annihilate this Japanese army in the village. Kwan Linzheng's decision shocked many. Some people think that this is tantamount to hitting a stone with an egg, but Kwan has his considerations.
It turned out that Guan Linzheng had long had insight into the intentions of the Japanese army. He understood that if the Japanese army was allowed to gain a foothold in Crouching Tiger Village, it would not only threaten the rear supply lines of the Chinese army, but could also become a springboard for the Japanese army to move further south. Therefore, it was necessary to deal a heavy blow to the Japanese army while it was not firmly established.
In order to enhance the combat effectiveness of the 145th Regiment, Guan Linzheng also specially transferred a Bufusi Mountain Artillery Company to support. Although the caliber of this Swedish-made mountain gun is not large, it has a fast rate of fire and high accuracy, which is very suitable for fighting in the mountains.
In this way, a small battle related to the victory or defeat of the Battle of Taierzhuang quietly kicked off in the remote mountain village of Wohu Village. No one could have imagined that this seemingly inconspicuous battle would end in such a tragic way and win a rare victory for the Chinese army.
In the early morning of March 30, the sky was not yet bright, and there were already undercurrents surging in the mountains and forests around Crouching Tiger Village. The officers and men of the 145th Regiment of the Chinese army quietly set up positions at various commanding heights and waited for the battle. The regiment commander Han Meicun personally commanded this operation, and he knew the importance of this battle and did not dare to slack off in the slightest.
At the same time, the reinforced squadron of the Japanese army had entered the Crouching Tiger Village and began to build fortifications. They were clearly unaware of the impending danger and continued to prepare as planned. Japanese squadron leader Ichiro Yamamoto was looking at a map in an earthen house in the center of the village, planning his next move.
At that moment, a deafening cannon shot pierced the silence of dawn. It was the first shell fired from the Chinese army's Bufus Mountain artillery, which accurately hit one of the Japanese machine-gun positions. Immediately afterwards, dense artillery fire poured down like raindrops, enveloping the entire Crouching Tiger Village in a cloud of gunsmoke.
The Japanese were apparently caught by surprise by this sudden attack. Yamamoto Ichiro Shaosa hurriedly rushed out of the house, gave a loud order, and tried to organize a counterattack. However, the Chinese army's attack came too quickly and fiercely, and the Japanese army had already fallen into a situation of passive beating before they could respond effectively.
After the shelling lasted about half an hour, Han Meicun ordered the infantry to charge. The officers and men of the 145th Regiment flocked to Crouching Tiger Village like a tide and engaged in fierce street battles with the Japanese army. Although most of them were recruits, they showed amazing courage and combat effectiveness under the leadership of veterans.
The heaviest part of the battle was a stone bunker in the center of the village. It was the command center of the Japanese army and their last stronghold. Yamamoto Ichiro Shaozo personally commanded and resisted stubbornly. The Chinese troops repeatedly charged, but were pressed back by Japanese machine-gun fire.
Seeing the increasing casualties, Han Meicun decided to change his tactics. He ordered the engineer company, carrying bags of explosives, to quietly approach the pillboxes from the flanks. Under the cover of other units attracting the attention of the Japanese, the sappers managed to sneak near the pillbox and stuff explosive packs into the firing holes of the pillbox.
With a loud bang, one side of the bunker's wall collapsed. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Chinese army launched a final charge. The resistance of the Japanese army began to crumble, and many chose to surrender. However, Yamamoto Ichiro Shaozo led a small group of diehards to retreat to a small temple north of the village, and continued to resist stubbornly.
It was already afternoon, and the battle had been going on for most of the day. Considering the fatigue of the troops and the possible casualties, Han Meicun decided to take a more prudent approach. He ordered the engineer company to dig tunnels around the small temple, preparing to settle this last resistance by means of tunnel warfare.
The sappers dug day and night, and soon a deep trench was dug around the small temple. The Chinese army also built a high earthen wall outside the ditch, completely cutting off the retreat of the Japanese army. The besieged Japanese army gradually ran out of ammunition and had little food and water left, but they still refused to surrender under the leadership of Yamamoto Ichiro Shosa.
On the evening of March 31, Han Meicun issued an ultimatum demanding that the Japanese surrender immediately, or more drastic measures would be taken. However, only a few sporadic gunshots rang out in response to him. In desperation, Han Meicun made a difficult decision.
He ordered the engineer company to quietly tear down the surrounding earthen walls under the cover of night, filling in the deep ditches around the small temple. In this way, more than 20 stubbornly resisting Japanese soldiers, including Yamamoto Ichiro Shaosa, were buried alive in this unknown small temple.
In the early morning of April 1, when the first rays of sunlight shone on the ruins of Crouching Tiger Village, the battle, which lasted for two days and two nights, finally came to an end. At the cost of more than 200 casualties, the Chinese army completely annihilated this elite squadron of the Japanese army and captured a large number of weapons, ammunition and important intelligence materials.
Although the scale of the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village is small, its strategic significance cannot be ignored. This victory not only crushed the Japanese army's attempt to establish a forward position in the north of Taierzhuang, but also greatly boosted the morale of the Chinese army. More importantly, it laid the foundation for the subsequent victory of Taierzhuang and became an important link in this famous battle.
After the war, Han Meicun summed it up in his report to his superiors: "The Battle of Crouching Tiger Village, although it was only a small encounter, fully proved that our army was capable of confronting and winning the battle with the elite units of the Japanese army. This victory not only destroyed the enemy, but more importantly strengthened our confidence. I believe that as long as we unite and persist in the war of resistance, the final victory will definitely belong to us. "
Although the scale of the battle of Crouching Tiger Village is small, its tactical use is quite distinctive and worthy of in-depth discussion. The battle was a great example of how the Chinese army made clever use of the terrain and used tactics to achieve victory in the face of a well-equipped Japanese army.
First of all, the intelligence work of the Chinese army has been indispensable. The scouts of the 145th regiment discovered the movements of the Japanese troops in time and gained valuable preparation time for the subsequent battle. This fully illustrates that in war, the importance of intelligence cannot be overlooked. Even a poorly trained unit can take the initiative on the battlefield as long as it has the upper hand.
Second, Commander Guan Linzheng's decision-making also reflects superb strategic vision. He was keenly aware of the strategic value of Crouching Tiger Village and decisively ordered to encircle and annihilate it. This decision not only disrupted the deployment of the Japanese army, but also created favorable conditions for the subsequent Battle of Taierzhuang. Kwan Lin-zheng's decisive decision-making demonstrates the foresight of a good commander.
In terms of specific tactical application, the performance of the 145th Regiment is also remarkable. The first is the rationality of the allocation of firepower. Before the attack, Guan Linzheng specially transferred a Bufus Mountain Artillery Company. Although the caliber of this Swedish-made mountain gun is not large, it is highly maneuverable, making it ideal for use in complex terrain. The precise strikes of the mountain artillery effectively destroyed the Japanese fortifications and created favorable conditions for the subsequent infantry attack.
In terms of infantry offensive, the 145th Regiment adopted a multi-wave offensive method. This tactic not only maintains constant pressure, but also reduces casualties. Especially when attacking the Japanese pillboxes, the 145th Regiment showed superb tactical literacy. Instead of blindly attacking head-on, they skillfully used the engineering units and adopted the method of explosives. This kind of flexible and changeable tactics fully demonstrates the Chinese military's ability to adapt to changes in actual combat.
It is worth mentioning that the 145 regiment also took full advantage of the terrain during the battle. The Crouching Tiger Village was located between two small stone hills, and the commanders of the 145th Regiment were keenly aware of this and occupied the surrounding commanding heights before the attack. This not only provided an ideal firing position for the mountain artillery battery, but also provided strong fire support for the infantry attack.
When dealing with the stubbornly resisting Japanese troops, the tunnel tactics adopted by the 145th Regiment were also quite distinctive. This tactic originated from siege warfare in ancient China and was widely used in the War of Resistance Against Japan. By digging tunnels, cut off the enemy's retreat and supply lines, and finally achieve the goal of destroying the enemy at the minimum cost. This tactic not only reduced one's own casualties, but also effectively depleted the enemy's morale and supplies.
However, the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village also exposed some problems with the Chinese army. The first is the disadvantage of equipment. Despite the support of the Bufus mountain artillery, most of the weapons of the 145th Regiment were still old rifles and machine guns, which were significantly inferior to the Japanese in firepower. This gap in equipment has increased the difficulty of the battle and casualties to a certain extent.
The second issue is the quality of the soldiers. The 145th Regiment has just been replenished with a large number of new recruits, who, although courageous, lack actual combat experience and inevitably look rusty in battle. If it were not for the leadership of veterans and the correct command of commanders, I am afraid that it would be difficult to achieve such results.
Moreover, there is controversy over the post-war handling of the Chinese military. Burying the stubbornly resisting Japanese troops alive, although understandable in the context of the war at the time, was clearly problematic from the point of view of modern warfare. This also reflected the inadequacy of the Chinese army in the handling of prisoners of war at that time.
Despite this, the Battle of Crouching Tiger was still a successful small battle of annihilation. It not only dealt a blow to the arrogance of the Japanese army, but also accumulated valuable combat experience for the Chinese army. Especially when it comes to how to use limited resources against a well-armed enemy, the Battle of Crouching Tiger provides a good example.
From a larger strategic point of view, the victory in the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village had an important impact on the Battle of Taierzhuang. It not only thwarted the Japanese army's attempt to establish a forward position in the north of Taierzhuang, but also disrupted the deployment of the Japanese army, creating favorable conditions for subsequent large-scale operations. It can be said that the battle of Crouching Tiger Village was an important prelude to the victory of Taierzhuang and laid the foundation for this famous battle.
Overall, the tactical use of the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village demonstrated the wisdom and courage of the Chinese army under difficult conditions. It's a testament to the impressive results that can be achieved when used correctly, even when equipment and training are at a disadvantage. The experience of this battle is of great significance for us to understand the combat methods of the Chinese army in the early days of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and how they gradually accumulated experience and finally won a comprehensive victory.
Although the scale of the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village was small, its impact went far beyond the scope of the battle itself. This victory not only had a direct impact on the subsequent Battle of Taierzhuang, but also triggered a chain reaction at the military, political and social levels, injecting new impetus into the course of China's War of Resistance Against Japan.
First of all, from a military point of view, the victory in the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village greatly boosted the morale of the Chinese army. Prior to this, the Chinese army had suffered repeated setbacks on frontal battlefields and had low morale. The victory in the Battle of Crouching Tiger proved that the Chinese army was fully capable of defeating the elite Japanese troops on a frontal battlefield. This victory was like a shot in the arm, which regained the confidence of the Chinese army and laid a solid psychological foundation for the subsequent victory in Taierzhuang.
Secondly, the victory in the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village also accumulated valuable combat experience for the Chinese army. In this battle, the Chinese army demonstrated the ability to use tactics flexibly and make the most of the terrain. In particular, when dealing with a well-armed enemy, the experience of how to give full play to one's own advantages and make up for one's disadvantages has had a far-reaching impact on subsequent combat operations. Many of the tactics used in the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village, such as tunnel warfare and batch attacks, were further used and developed in subsequent battles.
From a strategic point of view, the victory in the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village disrupted the deployment of the Japanese army and created favorable conditions for the subsequent Battle of Taierzhuang. The Japanese originally planned to establish a forward position in Crouching Tiger Village and use it as a springboard to attack Taierzhuang. However, this plan was completely shattered by the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village, forcing the Japanese army to readjust its strategy. This not only won valuable time for the Chinese army to prepare, but also affected the strategic deployment of the Japanese army to a certain extent, creating favorable conditions for the realization of the great victory in Taierzhuang.
At the political level, the victory in the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village also had an important impact. The victory was a powerful refutation of the pessimistic views of some at the time about the prospects of China's war of resistance. Especially in the international community, this victory proved to the world the combat effectiveness of the Chinese army and strengthened the confidence of the international community in China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. To a certain extent, this has promoted the intensification of international assistance to China and won more international support for China.
At the social level, the victory in the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village greatly encouraged the enthusiasm of the people of the whole country for the war of resistance. The details of the battle soon spread throughout the country through various channels and became a hot topic after dinner. The battle was covered in detail by many newspapers and magazines, and some writers even wrote novels and plays based on it. These literary and artistic works further expanded the influence of the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village and stimulated the people's patriotic enthusiasm and determination to resist the war.
The Battle of Crouching Tiger Village also had an impact on the Japanese side. This defeat forced the Japanese military to reassess the combat effectiveness of the Chinese army. Some Japanese officers admitted in post-war reports that they underestimated the strength and resilience of the Chinese military. To a certain extent, this change in understanding has influenced Japan's subsequent strategic decision-making.
However, the impact of the Battle of Crouching Tiger was not entirely positive. Some of the problems exposed in this battle, such as backward equipment and insufficient training of recruits, have also attracted the attention of the military leadership. In the post-war summary, these problems were pointed out one by one and became an important basis for subsequent military reforms.
It is worth mentioning that the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village also had a profound impact on the tactical development of the Chinese army. Some of the tactics used in this battle, such as making full use of the terrain and using firepower flexibly, were further developed and refined in subsequent battles. Especially in terms of how to deal with an enemy with obvious equipment superiority, the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village provided valuable experience.
In the field of military history research, the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village has also attracted the attention of scholars. Many experts in military history believe that this battle is an important case study of how the Chinese army fought in the early days of the War of Resistance Against Japan. By analyzing this battle, we can better understand how the Chinese army gradually gained experience in difficult conditions and finally won a total victory.
In addition, the battle of Crouching Tiger Village also had a profound impact on the local area. After the war, Crouching Tiger Village became a famous anti-Japanese memorial site. The local government has built a monument and a museum, which is visited by a large number of tourists every year. This not only promotes the development of local tourism, but also continues to play the role of patriotic education under the new historical conditions.
Overall, the impact of the Battle of Crouching Tiger was multifaceted and far-reaching. This battle not only laid the foundation for subsequent combat operations militarily, but also had an important impact on multiple levels such as politics and society. It is one of the important symbols of the transition from strategic defense to strategic stalemate in China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and occupies an important position in the history of China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
As a small-scale battle in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the historical positioning and evaluation of the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village have always been a hot topic discussed by military history researchers. With the passage of time and the deepening of research, people's understanding of this battle has also deepened and adjusted.
Judging from the scale of the battle, the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village was undoubtedly a small battle. Neither side was more than the size of a regiment, and the battle lasted only two days. However, it was such a skirmish that played an important role in the course of the War of Resistance Against Japan. It marked the beginning of the Chinese army's reversal of its inferiority on the frontal battlefield and laid the foundation for the subsequent victory at Taierzhuang. Therefore, when evaluating the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village, we should not only be limited to its scale, but should focus on its role in the entire process of the War of Resistance Against Japan.
From a tactical point of view, the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village was a model of the Chinese army's flexible use of tactics. In this battle, the Chinese army made full use of the terrain advantage and skillfully used tactics such as attacking in batches and trench warfare. The use of these tactics not only effectively overcame the disadvantage of equipment, but also minimized the casualties of one's own side. Therefore, from the perspective of tactical application, the battle of Crouching Tiger Village can be called a classic battle example, which is worthy of study and reference by future generations.
From a strategic point of view, the importance of the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village cannot be ignored. This battle disrupted the strategic deployment of the Japanese army and created favorable conditions for the subsequent Battle of Taierzhuang. Without the victory in the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village, it is likely that the Japanese army would establish a forward position in the north of Taierzhuang, which would have put great pressure on the defense of Taierzhuang. Therefore, although the scale of the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village was small, its strategic significance went far beyond the battle itself.
When evaluating the battle of Crouching Tiger Village, we cannot ignore its impact on the morale of the army. This victory greatly boosted the confidence of the Chinese army, giving them hope of defeating the Japanese army on a frontal battlefield. At the same time, it also greatly encouraged the enthusiasm of the people of the whole country for the war of resistance. Therefore, from the point of view of morale and popular sentiment, the significance of the battle of Crouching Tiger Village is equally significant.
However, the evaluation of the Battle of Crouching Tiger has not been entirely positive. Some military historians have pointed out that the battle also exposed some problems with the Chinese military. For example, problems such as backward equipment and insufficient training of recruits are reflected in the battle. Although these problems did not cause serious consequences in the battle of Crouching Tiger Village, they may become Achilles' heel in subsequent large-scale operations. Therefore, when evaluating the battle of Crouching Tiger Village, these issues should not be ignored either.
From the point of view of post-war processing, there is also some controversy about the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village. The practice of burying the stubbornly resisting Japanese troops alive, although understandable in the context of the war at the time, was clearly problematic from the perspective of modern warfare. This was also criticized in post-war evaluations.
In terms of international influence, the evaluation of the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village is also worth paying attention to. To a certain extent, this victory changed the international community's perception of the prospects of China's war of resistance. In their reports, military observers from a number of Western countries spoke highly of the combat effectiveness shown by the Chinese army in this battle. These positive comments help China to garner more international support.
With the passage of time, the status of the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village in historical research has also been increasing. Early research has focused on the description of the course of the battle, while more recent studies have focused more on the deeper impact of the battle. For example, some scholars have analyzed the impact of this battle on the psychological state of the Chinese and Japanese armies from the perspective of military psychology; Some scholars have also discussed how this battle embodied the application of traditional Chinese military thinking in modern warfare from the perspective of strategic culture.
In the field of military education, the Battle of Crouching Tiger is also regarded as an important teaching case. Many military academies use this battle as a typical case for the study of small-scale operations, which is used to develop the tactical thinking skills of cadets. Especially on how to achieve victory with inferior equipment, the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village provided valuable lessons.
In general, the Battle of Crouching Tiger Village occupies an important place in the history of China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. It is not only a successful small war of annihilation, but also one of the important symbols of the transition of the Chinese military from strategic defense to strategic stalemate. Although it cannot be compared with large-scale battles such as the Battle of Songhu and the Battle of Wuhan in terms of scale, its strategic significance and far-reaching influence cannot be ignored. With the deepening of research, it is believed that people's understanding of the battle of Crouching Tiger Village will be more comprehensive and profound.