Liaoyang, Battle of

(1904)

   A major battle in the Russo-Japanese War, fought between August 24 and September 4, 1904. In early August 1904, after defeats at Motien Pass and Dashiqiao, Russian forces in Manchuria under General Alexei Kuropatkin fell back on the city of Liaoyang with Japanese forces in pursuit. The battle began on August 25, with the Russians attempting to turn the flanks of the Japanese army. On August 26, the Japanese counterattacked, seizing Kosarei Peak and Hungsha Pass southeast of Liaoyang and forcing the Russians to abandon their outer defensive perimeter. On August 31, the Japanese First Army crossed the Tai-tzu River northeast of Liaoyang. Fearing encirclement, Kuropatkin ordered Russian forces to abandon Liaoyang on September 4 and regroup near Mukden. Japan won the battle, but its forces suffered heavier casualties, 23,600 out of 125,000 troops deployed while the Russians suffered 17,900 casualties out of a force of 158,000.

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   FURTHER READING:

    Connaughton, Richard M. Rising Sun and Tumbling Bear: Russia ’ s War with Japan. New York: Cassell, 2004;

    Warner, Denis Ashton, and Peggy Warner. The Tide at Sunrise: A History of the Russo-Japanese War, 1904–1905. London: Frank Cass, 2001.

   ADRIAN U-JIN ANG