Battle of Changde Memorial

The Battle of Changde in November-December 1943 was one of the most brutal urban battles of the Sino-Japanese War. A Japanese force of approximately 100,000 men besieged and fought through the city against a Chinese garrison determined to hold every street. The defenders were outnumbered roughly twelve to one. The battle lasted sixteen days; by the time Chinese relief forces retook the city, the garrison had been reduced from eight thousand to a few hundred survivors. The Japanese deployment of chemical weapons during the siege was documented extensively and remains part of the city's historical memory.

The memorial site in Changde includes a museum dedicated to the battle, with photographs, maps, weapons, and personal accounts. The exhibition presents the battle clearly and without melodrama — the facts are stark enough. The memorial is a sobering counterpoint to Changde's more pastoral literary attractions and worth two hours of anyone's time, particularly those with an interest in the often-overlooked Chinese theatres of World War II. Admission is free.

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A story
The 1943 Battle of Changde was one of the bloodiest engagements of the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese deployed chemical weapons during the siege — officially 48 recorded instances of gas attacks. The Chinese garrison under General Yu Chengwan held the city for 16 days against overwhelming odds, fighting street by street until fewer than 300 of the original 8,000 defenders remained alive. The battle was later depicted in two major Chinese films, including a 2010 production with Russell Crowe as a journalist witness.