Battle of Nanri Island

Coordinates: 25°14′24″N 119°30′00″E / 25.240°N 119.500°E / 25.240; 119.500

Battle of Nanri Island
Part of the Chinese Civil War
DateOctober 11–15, 1952
LocationNanri Island, off Putian, Fujian
Result ROC victory
Belligerents
Republic of China Army
 United States
China People's Liberation Army
Commanders and leaders

Wang Kuan-Yao

Hu Lien
Ye Fei
Strength
6000+ men from 75th Division
3 Landing Vehicle Tracked
10 Landing Craft
8 Aircraft
1,300 men+ from 83rd Division of 28th army regiment
Casualties and losses
PRC claims: 150+
ROC claim:Less than 80
500+ killed
800+ captured
3 torpedo boats sunk
3 boats sunk
Civilian losses:
11 Killed
43 wounded
5 abducted to Taiwan

The Battle of Nanri Island (Chinese: 南日島戰役; pinyin: Nánrì Dǎo Zhànyì) was a conflict between the Republic of China Army (ROCA) and the People's Liberation Army (PLA), over People's Republic of China owned Nanri island near Mainland China. This conflict occurred from October 11, 1952, to October 15, 1952, and resulted in a ROCA victory with complete destruction of PLA forces. However ROCA later abandoned this island and retreated, with all its captured prizes and POWs, to Taiwan.

Introduction

During the 1950s Korean War erupted, USA resumed military and financial support for ROC military. ROCA acquired training and equipment from USA. One of the most breakthrough change for ROCA is more advanced amphibious warfare skills and more advanced mechanized armed forces.

For ROC, receiving assistance from USA is not just a commitment, but it also means ROC needs to fulfil it's commitment. The best way of fulfilling it, is to prove with action. In 1952, larger scale confrontation between People's Volunteer Army and the United Nations forces begun in Korea. In order to divert the attention of China from the Korean front, also to see the result of its military assistance to ROC forces, USA decided to initiate military action along the south-eastern coast line of China.

The plan was formed up by Western Enterprises Inc(WEI) a "private" company in Taiwan which belongs to and is under the direct control of CIA. The company was responsible for intelligence gathering along the coast of China. After lots intelligence gathering. The plan was to attack the Nanri Island during the duty takeover time period of the PLA, where there will be only one company of about 300 soldiers left on the island.

The plan was only known to the first strike team of 75th division on October 9. And no special training was provided. On the night of October 9, Kinmen defense command ordered ROCA 75th division(commander Wan Kuan-Yao) to load the landing craft under the cover of darkness.

1952 October 10, before dawn 75th division and some soldiers of Anti-Communist National Salvation Army(ACNSA). Divided among 3 Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT), and 10 or so landing crafts landed on Nanri Island. During the battle, PLA also sent 2 battalions and 2 companies of reinforcements from mainland, consisting of over 1000 soldiers to Nanri Island. But most of the reinforcement soldiers are recruits and new soldiers with not much training, so their combat skills are weak.

According the ROCA the withdrawal of troops was on October 13, 1952. But official statement from ROC stated the withdrawal of troops was on 15 October 1952. Because the original intention of the invasion was not to occupy the island, but to divert the attention of the China from the Korean War, and also to see the result of the military assistance to ROCA forces from USA. The ROCA withdrew it troops from the island.

On October 22, 1952. The Prisoner of war of the PLA was sent to Kaohsiung, and then later sent to Taipei.

And few months after the Nanri Island battle, ROCA again won another battle. MeiZhou Island battle.

Aftermath

ROCA seized over 1000 assault rifles, 60 light machine guns and 40 over mortars and other equipment. Over 1000 livestocks, over a 1.4 tonnes of food supply were also seized and various other items such as furniture and clothings were also seized.

Fuzhou military complex have undergone major structural changes, improved training and procured more advanced equipments. The result of these actions is the victory of the Dongshan Island Campaign happened the following year.

See also

External links

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