First Encirclement Campaign Against Jiangxi Soviet - Second Phase

Second Phase

The stalemate ended on 16 December 1930 when the nationalists began the 2nd phase of their offensive. The 5th Division (later renamed the 28th Division) and the 18th Division reached Donggu on 19 December and 20 December respectively. However, heavy fog and poor communication prevented adequate coordination between the nationalist forces and the divisions mistook one another for the enemy, with both using artillery against the other. It was not until 21 December when the fog dissipated that the nationalists realized their mistakes, and by this time both sides had suffered hundreds of casualties.

From 24-28 December, the communist forces managed to halt most of the nationalist advance:

  • The nationalist 50th Division was stopped at Zhaoxie
  • The nationalist 60th Division was stopped at Wangan
  • The nationalist 61st Division was stopped at Taihe
  • The nationalist 24th Division was stopped at Caotaigang
  • The nationalist 8th Division was stopped at New Abundance
  • The nationalist 28th Division (renamed 5th Division) was stopped at Triple Craters
  • The nationalist 18th Division was stopped at regions near Yinfu and Nanlong

After the initial setback, the nationalist 50th Division continued their push, reaching River Origin, and prepared to take Little Cloth. Realising this, the communists attempted an ambush of the nationalist 50th Division twice, once on 25 December, and again two days later. Both attempts failed – the nationalist troops refused to be drawn from their fortified positions on River Origin. The communists were forced to withdraw.

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