The Battle of Songhu was a battle between the first squadron and the Japanese invading army in the Songhu area in the early days of the Anti-Japanese War, and it was the first large-scale battle of the first squadron in the War of Resistance against Japan. In this battle, the squadron paid a huge price, but also achieved an important victory. However, in this battle, the Eighth Route Army did not participate. So, why didn't the Eighth Route Army participate in the Battle of Songhu?
First of all, we need to understand the history and background of the Eighth Route Army. The Eighth Route Army is an anti-Japanese armed force led by the Communist Party of China and was established on August 22, 1937. At that time, the Eighth Route Army was mainly engaged in the anti-Japanese struggle in North China, while the Battle of Songhu was mainly fought in East China. Therefore, from a geographical point of view, the Eighth Route Army had a certain distance from the Battle of Songhu.
Secondly, the strategy and tactics of the Eighth Route Army also determined that it could not participate in the Battle of Songhu. The tactics of the Eighth Route Army were mainly guerrilla warfare and movement warfare, rather than large-scale frontal combat. This tactic is characterized by flexibility, rapid maneuvering, covert action, and the destruction of the enemy by means of attack, ambush, blockade, etc. The Battle of Songhu was a large-scale frontal battle, which required a large number of troops and material support, and was not suitable for the tactical characteristics of the Eighth Route Army.
In addition, the role and tasks of the Eighth Route Army in the War of Resistance against Japan are also different. The Eighth Route Army mainly carried out the tasks of guerrilla warfare and movement warfare, with the main goal of destroying the enemy's living forces, rather than defending a certain piece of territory or city. Therefore, the role and tasks of the Eighth Route Army in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression also determined that it could not participate in the Battle of Songhu.
Finally, we need to recognize the importance and contribution of the Eighth Route Army in the War of Resistance Against Japan. Although the Eighth Route Army did not participate in the Battle of Songhu, it played an important role in the anti-Japanese struggle in North China. The guerrilla warfare and movement warfare of the Eighth Route Army not only eliminated a large number of enemy forces, but also provided important experience and technical support for the all-out war of resistance. At the same time, the Eighth Route Army also made important contributions to the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, such as organizing the masses, propagating anti-Japanese propaganda, and establishing anti-Japanese base areas.
To sum up, the Eighth Route Army's failure to participate in the Battle of Songhu was the result of a combination of various factors such as its history and background, strategic and tactical characteristics, roles and tasks. Although the Eighth Route Army did not participate in the Battle of Songhu, it played an important role in the anti-Japanese struggle in North China and made important contributions to the victory of the War of Resistance against Japan. What are your thoughts on this? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area to discuss!