Battle of Hsimucheng

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict= Battle of Hsimucheng
partof=the Russo-Japanese War


caption=
date= 31 July, 1904
place=between Liaoyang and Port Arthur, Manchuria
result=Japanese victory
combatant1=flag|Empire of Japan
combatant2=flagicon|Russia Imperial Russia
commander1=General Nozu Michitsura
commander2= Lieutenant General Mikhail Zasulich
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=836
casualties2=1550

The Battle of Hsimucheng was a minor land engagement of the Russo-Japanese War. fought on 31 July 1904 near Hsimucheng, a hamlet about 20 kilometers [13 miles] southeast of the strategic junction town of Haicheng, on the main road connecting Haicheng with the coast.

On the Japanese side were the 5th and the 10th Divisions of the Japanese Fourth Army under General Nozu Michitsura as well as a detachment from the Second Army. On the Russian side was the Second Siberian Army Corps under of Lieutenant General Mikhail Zasulich, supported by cavalry units under the command of Lieutenant General Pavel Mishchenko.

Following its defeat at the Battle of Tashihchiao, the 2nd Siberian Corps under General Zasulich retreated to the village of Hsimungcheng. General Zasulich had a total of 33 battalions and 80 artillery pieces, but was in an exposed position in mountainous terrain.

The two forces collided at 0200 on 31 July 1904, with the Japanese 10th Division and reserve brigade making a direct frontal assault on the Russian positions, and the 5th Division moving left to threaten the Russian line of retreat.

The Russian forces held out tenaciously through the day and into the night against superior forces. The Japanese 5th Division joined forces with a detachment of the 3rd Division of the 2nd Japanese Army sent by General Oku to assist, and the Japanese were thus in a position to encircle the Russian force.　At 2300 on 31 July 1904, General Zasulich exercised his standing order from General Alexei Kuropatkin to withdraw to Haicheng, and the Japanese 2nd and 4th Armies were thus able to link up for the next push north towards Liaoyang.

The Battle of Hsimucheng cost the Russian forces 1,550 casualties, and the Japanese forces 836.

References

* Kowner, Rotem (2006). "Historical Dictionary of the Russo-Japanese War". Scarecrow. ISBN 0-8108-4927-5
* Connaughton, Richard (2003). "Rising Sun and Tumbling Bear". Cassell. ISBN 0-304-36657-9